Lady Leo Beauty Salon

United States

This condition is most commonly seen in African American population because of the practice of styling the hair in tight braids or the use of chemical hair straighteners. An estimated three fourths of African American females straighten their hair. More recently, female athletes who pull their hair tightly have been found to develop from this problem. Traction alopecia is also reported in nurses who secure their nurse's caps to their scalp with bobby pins. The exact frequency of traction alopecia in the United States has yet to be documented.

Traction alopecia may lead to permanent hair loss if it is undetected for a protracted period. For females especially, this can lead to significant emotional trauma. Changes in self-perception, including lower self-esteem and social problems, are frequently reported by women who have traction alopecia.

Race

This condition can be seen most commonly in African Americans, Japanese women, and Sikh men in India. See Frequency above.

Sex

Traction alopecia is more common in women than in men because women are more involved with hairstyling practices such as braiding or chemical hair straightening, and they are more likely to use tight curlers and nylon brushes and to wear chignons.

• Women wear ponytails more frequently than men. Women use chemical straighteners more frequently than men.
• Traction alopecia is becoming more prevalent in men who are concerned about hair loss because, ironically, it can result from treatments for alopecia itself (eg, use of hair extensions). In addition, males, especially of African descent, commonly use cornrows and this, in part, explains the increased prevalence of traction alopecia in this population.

History

• Patients usually complain of itching and dandruff.
• Otherwise, no other complaints are offered.

Physical

• Patients usually have patchy areas of hair loss.
• The hair-pulling test results in the detachment of more than 6 strands.
• Closer inspection of the scalp reveals perifollicular erythema, scales, and pustules.
• Hair loss may be symmetric, and marginal traction alopecia may be present in the temporal region.
• With chignon alopecia, hair loss may be in the occipital area.
• With cornrowing, the area most commonly affected is that adjacent to the region that is braided.
• In patients who tie their beards into knots, areas of alopecia can be detected along the sides of the mandible.

Causes

Three basic mechanisms of traction alopecia have been proposed: trichotillomania, telogen conversion, and overprocessing. In all cases, immediate cessation of the underlying cause can reverse the alopecia.

• In trichotillomania, patients compulsively pull out their own hair.
• Telogen conversion appears to be the most common cause.
  • Usually, the hair follicle can sustain trauma and still remain in the anagen growth phase.
  • Excessive traction for prolonged periods (eg, tight braiding, wearing of ponytails ) leads to conversion of the anagen phase to the telogen phase.
  • In the telogen phase, the hair follicle ceases to grow and alopecia results.
• In overprocessing, chemical treatment of hair with dyes, bleaches, or straighteners disrupts the keratin structure in a manner that reduces its tensile strength.
• The hair becomes fragile and is unusually susceptible to breakage.
• Normal combing can lead to the sudden loss of hair in mass.

Here is a very interresting article that I read on http://Medicinenet.com about flakey scalp. I found it very informative,  I hope you will also..

The loss of skin cells from the scalp is a normal part of the life cycle of skin cells. However, excessive flaking of the scalp, or dandruff, is a common cosmetic problem experienced by millions of people. Dandruff is not contagious and is normally not a serious problem. Some cases of excessive dandruff accompanied by intense itching and patches of flaky skin on the face or elsewhere are actually a form of eczema referred to as seborrheic eczema.

Dandruff is believed to be related to a fungus known as malassezia (formerly termed pityrosporum) that lives on the scalp of most people. In some cases, overgrowth of the fungus results in the flakiness of the skin characteristic of dandruff. The reasons for the overgrowth of fungus are unclear but may be related to increased oil production, hormonal changes, stress, neurologic disorders such as parkinson's disease, recovery from chronic conditions such as stroke or heart attack, suppression of the immune system, and infrequent shampooing. There is also some evidence that dandruff may run in families. Scalp flakiness may also be caused by psoriasis or other skin ailments or infections.

How much hair will I need for a full head weave?
We suggest at least 8oz for a full head.

How much hair will I need for a full or partial weave?
For a partial weave you will need about 4 oz or 1/4 pound. For a full head weave and longer styles you will need at least 8 oz or 1/2 pound

Will Indian hair match the texture of my African American Hair?
Yes. Because this hair is also ethnic it blends well with African American hair.

How often can I wash my Remy hair?
We suggest once a week.If you swim or work out you may need to wash more.

How do you care for Remy hair?
You care for remy hair just as you would your very own hair, wash and condition it regulary. Be sure to put your hair up at night, sleep in a scarf or bonnet, never sleep on wet hair.

How long will the hair really last ?
With proper care this hair can last from 6 months to a year!

How do I color my hair?

The hair may be colored with any permanent hair color kit, these kits can be purchased at most local beauty supply stores.

Can I use this hair for braiding?
Yes, you can, just be sure to find a stylist or braider who is familiar with braiding with Remy hair.

Can Cucaisan and Latin women wear indian remy hair? Yes they can indian remy hair blends with all hair types, in additon to indian hair, we also offer european remy as well.

What is the difference between single and double drawn hair?
Single Drawn - Remy
Single Drawn hair is hackled and trimmed on one side. Taken from one donor. All the hair is in one direction, i.e. all the roots will be at one end of the processed bundle. This high quality process allows for a very small percentage of hair to be outside the specified length of the bundle.This processing keeps the hair from tangling after it is bleached or dyed. This is very popular in Europe with the high quality hair extension who prefer this type of processing for their products.This hair is collected from Temples (particularly ladies hair).

Double Drawn-Non Remy
Double Drawn hair is hackled and trimmed on both sides and it will have uniform sizes. Taken from several donors. This can be prepared from Temple cut hair, which is remy, or from comb waste, which is collected in villages and in houses. This hair is used for manufacturing of Wigs, Hair Pieces, and Men's Toupees etc.