The Man Bun -
Man bun may cause hair loss in some men
I was interviewed yesterday on Global News on a new hair style in men - the so called 'man bun' also known as the top knot.
The man bun refers to the tying of hair back (generally long hair) with placement of an elastic at the top of the scalp. Started in 2013, the man bun has caught on as a popular hairstyle in Hollywood and among the fashion elite. Leonardo DiCaprio, David Beckham and Brad Pitt have all chosen to wear a man bun.
The Man Bun is a Potential Cause of Traction Alopecia
The Man Bun has drawn attention recently as a potential cause of a specific type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Traction alopecia refers to hair loss from constant pulling forces - forces higher than the hair was designed to withstand. Short term traction alopecia is often not a problem as hair can regrow. Left for months, traction alopecia can cause scarring in the skin and lead to permanent hair loss.
Conclusion
The man bun is a great hairstyle that simply needs to be respected. Whether a man bun or ponytail, any hair that is tied up needs to be periodically relieved so that long term traction alopecia does not develop.
This article was written by Dr. Jeff Donovan, a Canadian and US board certified dermatologist specializing exclusively in hair loss.