'Man Bun' Alert! Hair Club for Men Might Be the Next Trend

Men who pull off the 'man bun' often display confidence, charm, and a carefree vibe (see Exhibit A: Chris Hemsworth – enough said). This bold style can enhance their personal and professional presence, but when pulled too tightly for extended periods, it may harm their hairlines.

One of the many causes of traction alopecia, the man bun can unknowingly cause significant damage. "Tight hairstyles lead to trauma, causing inflammation, bleeding, and potentially scarring of the hair follicle," says Dina D. Strachan, M.D., director of Aglow Dermatology in New York City.

In one word – ouch.

The main distinction between traction alopecia and other common hair loss causes is this: "Traction alopecia is a specific type of hair loss that occurs when tension is placed on hair follicles (roots) for a prolonged period," says Abraham Armani, M.D., from the American Board of Hair Restoration Surgery and Armani Medical in an email interview. "Therefore, traction alopecia is different from most hair loss causes as it is behavioral and results directly from the individual's own actions."

In simpler terms, many men lose their hair due to genetics, but consistently wearing tight man buns can put you in the same situation unnecessarily.

Man buns aren’t the sole cause, and this issue isn't limited to men. Women are often seen for hair loss due to fashion choices that over time pull, braid, twist, or weave hair excessively, according to Armani.

"Unlike hair plucking, which is painful, persistent, and prolonged, gentle pulling can go unnoticed until hair loss starts to show," he adds. He also mentions that men who frequently wear compression helmets (for sports, car racing, or horseback riding) or use hairpieces attached to their natural hair are also at risk.

"I frequently see men with this type of hair loss linked to tightly wrapped hair, like in a turban for religious or cultural reasons," says Robert Dorin, D.O., from True & Dorin Medical Group in an email interview.

Men with a genetic tendency for hair loss might consider limiting the use of tight ponytails and buns. "The idea is that men are generally more prone to androgenic alopecia (natural hair loss), particularly around the temples, and combining this with tight hair pulling increases the chances of experiencing alopecia," says Dhaval G. Bhanusali, M.D., a dermatologist in Manhattan who treats at least three or four men each week for traction alopecia.

Unfortunately, science has yet to find a solution to reverse the effects of traction alopecia once it has advanced too far.

"If the hair follicles are damaged to the point where they have scarred and are no longer viable, there is no way to reverse this," explains Amir Yazdan, M.D., of the Modena Hair Transplant Institute in Irvine, California, noting that hair transplants are a common option.

"There are currently only three FDA-approved, clinically proven treatments for hair loss, which are specifically designed for genetic hair loss rather than traction alopecia," explains Jonathon Graff, director of clinical research and education at Apira Science, Orange County, California. "Many doctors recommend Low Level Light Therapy (LLLT) since it has no known side effects, but for any effective hair loss treatment, there must be an active hair follicle to stimulate growth. If not, the only alternative is hair transplantation to replace the follicle itself," Graff adds.