Hair loss is a pretty common concern that a lot of people of various ethnicities face. However, there are a few significant factors that may increase your chances of suffering from alopecia and baldness. Among these factors, one of the most important ones is the genetic makeup of a person’s race.
A lot of plastic surgeons, trichologists for black hair, and experts in hair restoration have been putting a lot of focus on the hair loss that takes place due to hairstyles, types, and structures that differ significantly based on various ethnic groups, such as Hispanics, Asians, and African Americans. In this article, we will explore why it is important to find a trichologist for black hair.
What is the difference between hair composition for ethnicities?
All human hair is made up of the same primary chemical composition. Human hair is made up of keratin protein content. However, the distribution of lipids in human hair differs for various ethnicities. Lipid in hair is responsible for fragility as well as texture. Due to this variation, different races have been known to have quite distinct conditions related to their hair.
What are the characteristics of black hair?
Black hair is one of the most unique hairs as compared to other races in terms of its extremely curly nature, which can also make African American hair difficult to maintain. However, it has been observed that black hair actually holds certain things that are unique to African American hair. These are:
- There is less contrast between the scalp and hair color.
- Curly hair generally covers a significant part of the scalp.
- The texture of black hair is known to be coarser in nature. This results in an elevated cuticle layer. The cuticle layer absorbs moisture and subsequently loses it.
- African American hair needs a significant amount of oils to seal in the required levels of moisture and keep hair strands protected, manageable, and soft.
- Black hair is known to be frequently stressed as well as thinned after years of using strong chemicals to straighten or color hair. Other factors that cause hair thinning can be heat, weaves, as well as braids.
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What are the common kinds of hair loss among African Americans?
Even though hair loss is common among most races, black hair is considered to be more prone to some specific kinds of hair loss. Here are the typical kinds of hair loss in black hair:
1. CCCA
CCCA stands for Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia. This is a situation that causes the hair follicles to become destructed. Once hair follicles get destroyed, it can lead to permanent hair loss and scarring. You may need to consult a trichologist for black hair to get CCCA treated before the condition worsens.
The causes for this kind of hair loss are under research, and the reasons are still subject to a certain amount of speculation. In this condition, people may witness balding that starts from the central part of the scalp and progresses outwards in a centrifugal fashion. This kind of hair loss advances slowly. CCCA is generally observed in middle-aged African American women.
2. Traction Alopecia
Traction Alopecia is a situation that is generally caused due to abrasive pulling of the hair. Common reasons behind traction alopecia can be chemical relaxing, weaves, cornrows, and tight braiding, among others.
It is often a good idea to avoid wearing very tight hairstyles. If you feel a little tight when you move your neck and forehead or if you suffer from scalp soreness and frequent headaches, these can be considered signs that you should loosen your hairstyle.
Traction alopecia is quite common among black hair because, in these ethnicities, hairstyles are adopted and worn for a long period of time. Although effective, these practices fail to provide natural hair at any time to grow or heal. With time, traction alopecia can lead to permanent hair loss. Read here when is it too late to fix traction alopecia.
Traction alopecia is easily noticeable once the hairline begins receding from the nape, temples, or front. Once detected early on, the best trichologist for black hair may be able to treat and reverse this condition.
Do African American men also suffer from hair loss?
Similar to African American women, black men are also more prone to suffer from alopecia and hair loss due to the texture and quality of their hair. Black men are also known to suffer from male pattern baldness in addition to alopecia and may need to consult a trichologist for black hair to improve this condition.
Traction alopecia is also known to be quite common among African American men who adopt similar hairstyles, such as cornrows and weaves. Also, the prevailing texture and fragility of the hair can play a role in encouraging hair loss. Black men are also known to suffer from Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia.
Why should you consult a trichologist for black hair?
A trichologist for black hair is a professional who focuses on the study of problems or diseases related to the scalp and hair along with their treatments. For people who suffer from alopecia, pattern baldness, and hair loss, it is important to consult a hair doctor who understands the various factors associated with the progression of the condition.
The best trichologist for black hair is an expert who can understand your hair care routine, lifestyle, nutrition, and your medical history to determine the most appropriate treatment. They may request a blood test and perform a hair analysis to inspect for structural damage.
Conclusion
It is quite common for people to suffer from conditions related to their hair. However, specific ethnicities such as African Americans may be more prone to some specific hair conditions such as alopecia, hair loss, and baldness due to the chemical composition of their hair as well as genetic factors.
Once an issue related to the hair is identified, it must be consulted and diagnosed by a professional trichologist for black hair to ensure appropriate and timely treatment. When treated on time, most hair concerns are actually significantly treatable, and the impact can be reversed.
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