Can Over-Styling Your Hair Cause Baldness?

The short answer, according to specialists, is yes — over-styling your hair can damage the roots, which ends up causing the hair produced to be thinner and, eventually, result in the total loss of hair growth in the affected area.

“Different ways of styling your hair, coupled with different kinds of tools and chemicals you use to treat your hair, can cause severe negative side effects to your scalp,” says Dr. Kourosh Kojouri — a highly trained general surgeon and transplant specialist who performs hair transplant surgery in Palo Alto. “It’s a shame because the very folks that took the most care of their hair and were quite obsessive about the way they treated it tend also to be the most impacted by the various products out there in the market.”

Common Over-Styling Hair Loss Causes

Improper treatment can cause your hair to look frizzy, brittle and thin. It can also, on a long enough time scale, cause it to stop growing entirely. Some of the most common hair styling products and actions that can cause hair loss include:

1. Hair Dryers

While the hair dryer industry may insist its product is completely safe, dermatologists recommend you wrap your hair in a towel in order to dry it, and not shoot ultra-hot air through an electrical device into your scalp. This is because the hot air and exposure to heat can damage the follicles and thin the hair.

If you choose to use a hair dryer, take steps to do so safely. Some strategies include using low heat, keeping the device at least 6 inches from your head and filtering the heat through a diffuser attachment.

2. Combing or Brushing Your Hair When It’s Wet

Wet hair is more brittle than dry hair, and combing it can literally uproot the hair in your head, damaging the pores and follicles. Unless you have naturally curly hair, in which case you’re better off brushing it when it’s still wet, as curly hair is less likely to tangle in the brush when dry. In both instances, the idea is to avoid ripping hair out of your scalp because this is very bad for your hair.

3. Tight Hairstyles

While the slicked-back ponytail is trendy, it may be damaging your hair. Tight hairstyles — including braids, buns and ponytails — can cause excessive root tension, weakening the hair follicle. Over time, these hair follicles can become permanently damaged and lead to hair loss.

4. “Long Lasting Hold” Products

If your hair care product of choice claims it has an ultra-long-lasting hold, it’s generally very bad for your hair. A little bit is okay, but running your hair through with gel just so you can get into the shape and style you want may reduce your hair’s texture and thickness in the long run. You especially do not want to comb your hair after applying just products because that can cause the hair to break, which causes damage to the follicles, which causes hair loss.

5. Over-Combing or Brushing Your Hair

If you over-comb your hair, you could very well end up with a comb over. For the same reason you don’t want to comb or brush your hair when it’s wet, you don’t want to brush it or comb it one hundred times a day.

6. Harsh Chemical-Based Hair Products

Many people assume hair gel causes balding. While hair gel can be a culprit, it’s not the only one. Various hair products can result in baldness if they include harsh ingredients, especially if they are used every day. Check your hair gel, shampoo, curl cream and other styling product bottles for ingredients in the following categories:

• Parabens
• Formaldehyde
• Sulfate
• Silicone

If they contain these ingredients, consider finding other products to use.

Preventing Hair Loss

As a general rule of thumb, your hair will look better the less you fuss over it, and there are a variety of ways to prevent hair loss naturally. Follow these leading tips when it comes to using styling products:

• Find clean products: Clean and natural hair products are more than a trend — they help promote healthier hair. While these options can be more expensive, it is for a good reason, as they can give your hair and scalp the needed nutrients to thrive.
• Go natural: The easiest way to prevent hair loss from styling products is to not use them at all. Consider the long-term consequences the next time you’re tempted to bleach or dye your hair. Your hair reacts to harsh chemicals, and consistently dying it can cause damage and eventual hair loss.
• Lower your stress: Sometimes, your hair loss isn’t caused by your products but by your stress levels. Take a moment to research some stress-relieving tips and put them into practice to prevent premature hair graying or thinning.

Consider Hair Loss Solutions With ARTAS® Technology

If you’ve already experienced significant hair loss, Dr. David A. Berman and his team can help. We offer a hair transplant procedure using advanced robotic technology known as the ARTAS® Procedure. With this treatment, you can receive fuller, natural-looking hair transplants through grafting and transferring hair from one area of your head to another. This technology is precise and minimally invasive, with no linear scarring and a faster recovery time than other procedures.

Contact Our Team Today

If you’re interested in learning more about ARTAS®, contact our experts to schedule an appointment today. We can set up a consultation to discuss your hair loss journey and your goals for hair transplant and restoration. Our doctors will then craft a customized treatment plan fit for you and your needs to restore your hair to your desired fullness. We look forward to hearing from you!