We’ve got some man-bun news that may be hard to hear
Before the manbraid, there was the beloved OG long-haired male hairstyle: the man bun. The man-bun has become such a trend that it has inspired its own websites, Twitter accounts, and Instagram accounts. Practical and stylish, the man bun truly has us all asking, “What took so long?”
But like much beauty in this world that seems too good to be true, there’s a catch. Science is here to run all our fun, AGAIN, by proclaiming that the man bun might be responsible for an increase in cases of premature baldness in its wearers. Thanks a lot, science.
According to dermatologist Sabra Sullivan, this condition – called traction alopecia – is extremely common, and caused by suspending hair in tight hairstyles often for extended periods of time. It’s more common in women than men, which makes sense considering we see many more American women with hair long enough to have to pull back on a regular basis.
“They’re putting traction on the hair follicles that the hair is not really meant to take,” Sullivan told Mic of men who sport the man bun. She adds that aside from the death of hair follicles that lead to balding, tight hairstyles can cause permanent scarring, and notes that traction alopecia is happening more often for men now – and that while it’s not the fault of the man bun, its trendiness certainly isn’t helping.
Another expert, Rutgers university Clinical Professor of Dermatology Camila Janniger, told USA Today Network that while the man bun isn’t creating a problem, it could be working along with men’s pre-existing genetics to make imminent balding happen a lot sooner.
“It can add to the problem, if they already have hormonal changes and are losing hair,” Janniger said. “When they wear it tight, it accelerates the problem and pulls hair out.”
Makes sense. Janniger goes on to say that a nice middle ground could just be wearing it loose. “If you want to keep your hair in a pony tail or bun, don’t have it too tight to your skull. Just leave some room.”
Whew. So keep your man buns today, good sirs, but maybe just tie them a little looser. The messy bun has been a thing for a while now, anyway, so hop on board. There’s more than enough room.
(Image via Shutterstock)
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