Wigs are generally thought of as a way for those who have lost or are losing their hair to conceal their hair loss. However in the case of a certain type of wig, the opposite has been found to be true.
However, according to Irishhealth, the wigs have been found to cause hair loss in some young dancers. The hair loss condition is known as Traction Alopecia and it is caused by excessive weight and pulling on the hair, which damages the follicle.
The publication refers to a report in the medical journal Hospital Doctor of Ireland, in which the case of a 16-year old girl illustrated the unusual cause of hair loss. After she had suffered mysteriously recurring hair loss for four consecutive years, doctors found that there was a pattern to the appearance of the hair loss. They later discovered that she was a keen Irish dancer, and determined that the periods of patchy hair loss coincided with a string of national Irish dancing competitions which the girl would regularly compete in.
“The sites of Alopecia corresponded to those to which a wig, worn as part of her costume, had been fixed with hair clips,” the girl’s doctors concluded. In closing, they suggested that Traction Alopecia “should be considered in patients of this age with similar interests. “
Common causes of Traction Alopecia
In this instance, the hair loss was due to the stress placed on the hair follicles by the clips used to affix the wig. A more common cause of Traction Alopecia is a ponytail which is worn too tightly, or other hairstyles which put excess stress on the hair follicles, such as braids and cornrows.
But Traction Alopecia can also be caused by hair styling treatments which involve chemicals, such as colouring and bleaching. Overusing heated styling methods like straighteners or curling irons can also damage the hair, potentially leading to a case of Traction Alopecia.
