African American Women Subject To Hair Loss And Scalp Disease

Online, December 19, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Dermatologists are educating their African American clients about the major hair and scalp diseases that some styling practices can lead to.

Hair is an extremely important part of the African American culture and has special meaning to and African American woman's appearance. Unfortunately, many women who suffer from hair and scalp disease feel like physicians don't take these issues seriously. Physicians are being urged to better understand the best treatments for these kinds of diseases. With proper education and hair care, diseases such as seborrheic dermatitis and alopecia can be prevented. A greater understanding of the hair issues that surround African Americans can create a better medical environment.

There has been little research in the field of hair and scalp diseases in African Americans. It is vital that doctors better understand the unique characteristics of African textured hair so that they may better serve their patients and clients. One issue that doctors should understand is that African textured hair grows much slower and has a lower hair density than other ethnic groups. This is an important factor to understand when dermatologists prescribe treatments.

African American women commonly shampoo their hair less frequently than other ethnic groups and nearly 80 percent of them employ the use of chemical relaxers. The added use of blow dryers and hot styling tools in conjunction with hair styles like weaves and braids add a lot of stress to the hair and can also lead to scalp diseases and hair loss.

Hair loss is one of the most common reasons why patients visit dermatologists. Recommended hair grooming tips to help avoid impending hair or scalp disease include washing hair weekly with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner and waiting at least two weeks between relaxing and hair color treatments. The limited use of heating styling tools like hot combs and hair dryers is also recommended.