Trichology Corner: Trichotillomania



Trichotillomania is the habit of pulling hair from the scalp. There are irregular patches of balding and hairs that are broken and twisted off. This condition is often times associated with an obsessive compulsive disorder. With trichotillomania, the client may also pull hair from other areas of the body. This condition is often associated with anxiety and high stress.

Because of the way the hair is sometimes pulled from the scalp, it creates pili incarnata on the scalp, and leads to folliculitis and inflammation of the scalp.

Constant abuse of hair and scalp through trichotillomania can lead to permanent hair loss due to the excessive trauma that the follicle is experiencing from the hair being completely pulled out from the root.

Source
The habit of pulling hair is usually covered up by the people engaged in it, and is often met with strong denial and resistance. Should you suspect any close family or friend to be going through this condition, advise them to see a trichology specialist.

N.B: Remember that when it comes to hair care, there's a lot of fact, fiction, myth and reality on the internet. In the event of any confusion, it is advised you see a professional hair care expert.

Atilola Moronfolu (HPT) is a certfied hair care expert and a holistic practitioner of trichology certified and accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners and Mahogany Hair Revolution, Los Angeles, California. To book a hair clinical appointment with Atilola in Lagos Nigeria, send a mail to hairconsult@africanaturalistas.com or call 07061141501.

Did you enjoy or learn from the article above? Please, like our Facebook page here. Thank you

24 comments

  1. On hearing this for the first time I was skeptical,like why do i wanna pull my hair,I mean I do pull my brows and lashes cos they are really long and the pressure felt nice,but not to the side of a compulsive obsessive behavior,It was until I watched Fusion Of Culture and her video,I kinda wrapped my mind around it.Dont know anyone that does this though,ill be on the lookout.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is because you are thinking like a sane person. Some people don't think like sane people. Why would someone go ahead to shoot 20 people and then kill himself?

      Delete
    2. Lol are you really comparing serial killing to self harm? I don't see how they relate, at all.

      Delete
    3. I guess its the psychological aspect to it.They are on different spectres of behaviorial abnormalities.Science is still trying to figure it out and so are we I reckon.

      Delete
    4. @nkokli: the case I mentioned is not serial killing. Serial killers are sane people who take time to plan their actions, and don't commit suicide. The case I mentioned are mentally unstable people who go on shooting spree that lasts less than 5 minutes, and then end up shooting themselves.

      Delete
    5. @AN we are going to group all under mental illness. I forever respect doctors,specialist and all.The various things they deal with each day is enough to break them down

      Delete
  2. Also wanna ask,is a trichologist the right person to see for an issue like this?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The trichologist won't treat it because it is a psychological disorder, but it's the trichologist that can diagnose it because of the symptoms and also monitor it. So about two or three specialists will work together, you get.

      Delete
  3. First time hearing about this too. And I like Aurora's question.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As in eh. Now that I understand it better, it's pretty weird. But, people hardly ever go to find help over here over these kind of things.

      I hope people with this condition will speak up and get help.

      Delete
    2. I don't think people with this conditions know what they are doing @chancey so its very hard for them to get help.Only those close to them would know they have this problem

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Lol,you seem surprised.It is a weird disorder though,but aren't all disorders?

      Delete
  5. You are right,could never understand that either,socio and psychopaths,some persons brains are really messed up.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Reading this again and I'm still trying to understand

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, just forget about it and move onn, lol.

      Delete
    2. Me too.This must be some serious mental condition

      Delete
  7. Why would anyone pull their hair from their scalp?! *shivers*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, there so many inexplicable disorders in the world. That is life.

      Delete
  8. Reading about this for the first time. No human in his/her right sense would do this after spending much products and time pampering ones hair.Should I say some Nigerian hair stylist are suffering from this but instead of pulling their hair,they do it on their client's out of jealousy or what do I say is their excuse?

    ReplyDelete

Please drop a comment, we want to learn from you.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...