Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, hair clips have become a fashion staple. But repeated use seems to have serious consequences, as some women complain of a receding hairline or the appearance of noticeable hairless spots.
Hair expert Rachel Valentine says – according to the British newspaper Daily Mail – that she recently saw two women suffering from similar breakage around the crown of the head, and the reason was wearing a hair clip in exactly the same place every day.
She explains that “the spread of hairstyles that are fixed using hair clips is the reason for seeing breakage around the crown of the head.”
She also says, “We realize that these clips are better than hair ties, and they are, but the problem is that your hair is pinned in exactly the same place every day, and there is a lot of tension in the same area, which causes stress and frequent breakage.”
Repeating a single hairstyle, especially tight hairstyles or clips placed in the same place, can create persistent tension on the hair fibres, and over time this can cause a condition called traction alopecia.
This occurs when hair follicles – the small pores from which hair grows – are subjected to excessive stress to the point that they become inflamed and damaged, leading in some cases to permanent baldness.
Prevention is better than cure
The hair expert advised Valentin to continue using the clips, but to change their location or alternate between tying the hair back and leaving it loose.
“Unfortunately, any repetitive hairstyle will cause breakage because pulling in the same area is what causes the damage,” she said.
She advised women to change their hairstyle differently every day, and use a hair clip one day, and a silk hair tie the next day.
On the other hand, the UK hair transplant team told the newspaper that many cases can improve if detected early, and some are curable, but the secret is not to wait until it is too late.
They also suggest replacing the clip with a silk or tangle-free hair tie, which reduces pressure on the same areas.
You must pay attention to the pressure. If one of the hairstyles causes tension in the hair or pain in the scalp, this is a warning that it is necessary to change it. Heavy hair extensions and tight braids can cause hair loss.
The British Association of Dermatologists confirms that if pulling on the hair is stopped early, the hair follicles have a chance to heal and regrow as they were before.
Other causes of hair loss include hormonal changes, for example during menopause or after pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, and genetic causes.