Monday, July 16, 2012

Is Lindsay Lohan Losing Her Hair?

"Photo by PR Photos"

Is the stress of falling in and out of the spotlight causing Lindsay Lohan to lose her hair? The troubled star was recently photographed with what appears to be a thinning patch of hair.

From the photo, you can see the 26-year old has what appears to be a bald spot, a telling sign that she is likely suffering from a condition called traction alopecia. Lohan, who is said to be a frequent user of hair extensions, now appears to be dealing with the consequences of the pulling, styling and abuse her follicles have suffered over the years.

Traction Alopecia is common among people who wear tight braids, those who use hair extensions over a long period of time, attach wigs or weaves with glue/clips/tape, or those who suffer from trichotillomania (hair-pulling disease), traction alopecia is a result of the chronic tension or pulling on the follicles causing irreparable damage. The definitive cure is hair transplantation which permanently replaces the follicles into the bald skin. However, without a change in hair-care habits, the transplanted hair is also at risk. 

In addition to abuse from styling, other lifestyle factors such as poor nutrition and smoking can have a negative impact on your hair. Considering Lohan's young age, and her desire to regain her place in the spotlight, I'd recommend she start taking care of her hair now. The first step would be to quit smoking. Then I'd suggest a nutritional supplement like Viviscal, which can help improve hair quality. She could also benefit from a regimen of low level laser therapy to stimulate healthy hair growth.