Hairdresser was too rough on hair. Could I permanently lose hair?

Question

Hello. I got my hair dyed and trimmed. While the hairdresser was washing out the dye she was very rough and vigorously shampooed and rinsed my scalp, it hurt. Im worried that she might have damaged hair follicles and I will permanently lose hair. Could this happen. Im worried cause I have suffered from telogen effluvium and am slowly seeing recovery this year.

Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD · Answer

Hello.It is unfortunate when your hairstylist is "heavey-handed" and scrubs your scalp vigorously.  Although uncomfortable, it is comforting to know your hair should be fine.  Those follicles are anchored deep.  Recovering from a telogen effluvium will not affect those follicles either.  It means those follicles are trying to slow down their rapid shedding cycle.  Try prepping your stylilst that you have a low capacity to handle vigorous scalp massaging and to wash your hair as though it were a child's scalp. She was probably trying to remove the excess dye from your scalp but that should reduce the tenderness you experienced.  Hope that helps.Nikki D. Hill, MD

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear jenjen1122,

Thank you for your clinical post and
this is a frequently asked question. 
Rough shampooing or scalp massage in general will not induce any
permanent hair loss or permanent telogen effluvium.  There are many factors leading to telogen
effluvium, but rough treatment of hair within reasonable boundaries is not
generally believed to contribute to permanent expansatile alopecia.

In the face of telogen effluvium with
or without the hairdresser appointment you might consider additional non-surgical
treatment such as low-level light therapy, plasma rich protein, micro needling
and topical nutrient serums.  Hopefully
these will enhance regrowth of the hair that you lost and for those hair bulbs
and shafts that have not returned, one day hair restoration may be an option.

I hope this information is of some
assistance and best of luck.

To find out more or schedule a
consultation, please visit the link below.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

usually being rough during hair wash will effect the hair shaft and not the follicle. If the root is pulled then it will not grow back but if the root is not pulled it will grow back.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Rough handling of your hair by a hair dresser might pull out some hair, but any hair that is pulled out, will return. Where the problem occurs, is what the hair is treated with hot irons or chemicals. These have the tendency to cause permanent hair loss in inexperienced hands.

Hairdresser was too rough on hair. Could I permanently lose hair?

Answers (4)

Answer: Could a hair dresser cause permanent hair loss?

Answer: Could a hair dresser cause permanent hair loss?

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Hairdresser was too rough on hair. Could I permanently lose hair?

Answers (4)

Answer: Could a hair dresser cause permanent hair loss?

Answer: Could a hair dresser cause permanent hair loss?

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.