But there’s a way to stay trendy without losing hair.
Man buns have taken the world by storm. Chances are you’ll see at least one or two men sporting the stylish updo whenever you’re out and about. But science has some bad news for man bun lovers everywhere — the hairstyle can cause balding.
The condition, traction alopecia, causes acute baldness around the forehead and temple areas as a direct result of hair being pulled back too tight. Dermatologist Sabra Sullivan told Mic that traction alopecia is becoming more common, and she believes man buns are part of the problem. “They’re putting traction on the hair follicles that the hair is not really meant to take,” she explains. “I see it [traction alopecia] probably once or twice a week.”
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Once the damage is done to the hair follicles, it’s irreversible. While the man bun may be trendy, being “in” charges a steep fee. When the updo is pulled back too tight, it can cause hair-follicle death and even scarring.
However, there’s a way to rock the man bun safely — go for a looser look. The main issue that promotes balding is the degree of tightness. If a man bun or ponytail is pulled back particularly tight, the most damage will occur. Looser man buns will create less of a need for hair transplants later in life.
So as long as you don’t go for a tight man bun look, you should be in the clear. Hipsters everywhere may be disappointed, but premature balding just isn’t worth it.
