What’s up with black women’s hair

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Loss of Hair

Some days ago, lime light was on lost of hair in black women at the American Academy of Dermatology’s 74th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Have you wondered why black women don’t have long hair like most white? Obviously  when you can’t even keep the one you have how will more add any difference . Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA) has been recognized as the leading cause of hair loss in black women . This is the inflammation and destruction of hair follicles causing scarring and permanent hair loss.

Genetic predisposition has a role to play in the loss of black woman’s hair according to a board certified dermatologist ,Yolanda M. Lenzy, MD, FAAD, clinical associate, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn.
Dr. Lenzy believes one of black women hair problem has to do with styling;braiding weaving and the use of chemical relaxer are inclusive . “When hair loss is caused by styling practices, the problem is usually chronic use,” she says. “Women who use these styling practices tend to use them repeatedly, and long-term repeated use can result in hair loss.” Black women are found of hair styling that are always pulling the scalp
Dr. Lenzy joined the Black Women’s Health Study at Boston University’s Slone Epidemiology Center to study a total number of 5,594 African-American women about their experiences with hair loss. Out of these women, 47.6% reported hair loss on the crown or top of the scalp, 81.4%indicated that they had never seen a physician about hair loss and 8% reported doctor diagnosis.
She also commented that these hair problems go undiagnosed as black women don’t see any big deal in hair lost. Black women don’t see a doctor for hair loss according to the study.Dr. Lenzy however advised women to see a dermatologist at the occasion of great hair loss. Women should also desists from styling that will damage their hair.



”Everyone who utilizes these styling practices should do so infrequently and for short periods of time,” she says.
Speaking on treatment options for hair, Dr Lenzy recommends ” topical corticosteroids or oral antibiotics to reduce inflammation, and minoxidil to promote regrowth”, especially for the inflammation caused by CCCA which results to scalp itching and tingling.Symptoms of loss of hair include; patches of hair that don’t grow back or decreasing hair volume, which may be evident in a wider part or a thinner ponytail,itching,scalping,etc . All these are symptoms that women don’t take into consideration.
The role of hair stylist is also important as they are in ” the front line in detecting changes in your hair,” she said. “Someone who looks at your hair and scalp frequently can help you recognize a problem,” she said.
She encourages women not only to visit the dermatologist for skin problems but for hair problems noting that they equally treat hair disorder.