While many people believe that wearing wigs or hats causes baldness, this is actually a MYTH! Wearing clean hats and wigs will not damage hair follicles as long as they are not too tight. If the hat or wig is too tight, it can result in Traction Alopecia.
Yes, and no. Anyone can wear any type of wig they like, but the type of alopecia you have can have an impact on the type of wig most suitable for you. For instance, hair loss caused by alopecia areata leads to bald patches in specific areas–most commonly towards the crown of the head.
While wigs could be comfortable to wear, most people did not keep them on for long periods and people often removed their wigs when they got home. Some found wigs were itchy, tight or too warm on their heads. A few people said their wigs were comfortable enough to sleep in.
Synthetic bands in wigs can also cause problems, especially for those with sensitive skin." That said, while lace front and clip-in wigs can offer complete coverage of your natural hair, regularly wearing them can cause hair damage, as well as thinning and eventual baldness in certain areas of the scalp.
Opting for protective hairstyles for traction alopecia can help. This means choosing styles that allow hair to be natural and loose and foregoing tight ponytails, buns, braids or hair extensions.
Causes of Alopecia Areata
In alopecia areata, the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing inflammation. Researchers do not fully understand what causes the immune attack on hair follicles, but they believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
Ways to Stop Alopecia Areata from Spreading or Worsening
Avoiding unnecessary hair or scalp trauma, reducing stress and analyzing your diet are all worthwhile endeavors when attempting to prevent alopecia areata from spreading.
The short answer is, no, it is not bad to wear a wig everyday if you take proper care of your natural hair and scalp. Your hair and skin cells will grow regardless of whether or not you cover them with a wig or accessories like hats and scarves.
Traction Alopecia is a hair loss condition which occurs when too much excessive and frequent tension is placed on the hair follicles. This is often caused by wearing wigs, tight braids or hair extensions.
The Problems with both Human Hair Wigs and Synthetic Wigs
They have to be removed at night, you cannot sleep in them. They could come off at any time as they're not secured to the scalp. You cannot swim in them and many activities would be impossible whilst wearing a wig.
If your alopecia areata is always patchy, you just never know when or where another bald spot will arise. Shaved head spots give you control. You take a pro-active approach to a neater look rather than waiting for hair to fall out randomly.
Alopecia areata is not medically disabling; persons with alopecia areata are usually in excellent health. But emotionally, this disease can be challenging, especially for those with extensive hair loss.
Alopecia areata can occur at any age but about half of cases come on in childhood and 80% of cases come on before the age of 40 years. Men and women are equally affected. The condition tends to be milder if it comes on at an older age.
A 20 percent rating is warranted if the disorder affects more than 40 percent of the scalp. Under Diagnostic Code 7831, for alopecia areata, a noncompensable rating is assigned with loss of hair limited to the scalp and face. A 10 percent rating is warranted with loss of all body hair.
In most people, new hair eventually grows back in the affected areas, although this process can take months. Approximately 50 percent of people with mild alopecia areata recover within a year; however, most people will experience more than one episode during their lifetime.
It may be progressive, meaning it gets worse over time, or it may not. For some people, small bare patches join together and turn into large patches. You're more likely to have extensive alopecia areata if: You have eczema.
When you have alopecia areata, cells in your immune system surround and attack your hair follicles (the part of your body that makes hair). This attack on a hair follicle causes the attached hair to fall out. The more hair follicles that your immune system attacks, the more hair loss you will have.
Don't Wear Your Wig for More Than Six Weeks at a Time
While experts generally agree that you should take a break after six weeks, don't hesitate to remove it sooner.
You should wash a human hair wig about every 6-8 weeks, or 7-10 wears. Many people who wear human hair wigs daily, find this to routine to be successful in cool weather, and may wash more frequently in hot weather.
Wearing synthetic-hair wigs can lead to scalp health problems because it can prevent the sweat glands from doing their vital job of releasing bodily toxins through the scalp. The lactic acid in the sweat can mix with the keratin in hair and cause damage and eventually hair loss.
On the AIP elimination diet, you will avoid grains, legumes, nightshades (such as potatoes and peppers), dairy, eggs, coffee, alcohol, sugar, oil and food additives. After a few months, you can work the excluded foods back in one at a time to figure out which foods trigger an inflammatory reaction.
Topical minoxidil
Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is a topical treatment that's easy to apply and can be easily purchased over the counter. Minoxidil works to help the hair grow faster once the follicle is no longer under attack by the immune system and is capable of producing hair.
If you are experiencing thinning or balding, our Bosley experts recommend washing no more than three times a week.
Calcipotriol, a vitamin D analog, has been reported to be topically used in treating alopecia areata with promising results. Combination therapy of vitamin D analogs with corticosteroids might also be used in treating alopecia areata.
Alopecia areata (AA) occurs when the immune system attacks the hair follicle. Studies have shown a relationship between AA and low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D should be supplemented if levels are low.