Tiger Woods Is Back…His Hair Not So Much

Tag Archives: Hair Loss

Tiger Woods’ epic comeback victory at the Masters yesterday captivated the nation. With it being his first win in a major since 2008, it’s been an incredible journey back to the top for golf’s biggest star. Despite all that he has endured, his hair loss has been something he has not been able to overcome.

Tiger Woods Hair Loss
Tiger Woods raises his hat showing off hair loss after winning the Masters

Showing signs of hair loss throughout the top of his scalp, he has somewhat retained his frontal hairline. This pattern is not typical and could possibly be the result of a prior hair transplant procedure. If that is the case, it looks as though proper consideration was not given towards future hair loss.

Either way, his situation looks to be perfect for the FUT hair transplant method. This is where a strip of hair bearing skin is removed from the back of the scalp, dissected into hair grafts, and then transplanted to areas of thinning or hair loss. With patients that have existing hair on top of their scalp like Tiger, it is important to take into account potential further loss. So, when transplanting to the recipient sites, it is crucial to place the grafts closely around and within the existing hairs (this must be done very carefully, as to not disturb them). In regards to hair transplantation, it is not only about how it looks in the present but how it will look in the future as well.

With Tiger’s recent improved play, it seems likely we will be seeing more of him without a hat raising a trophy, so why not improve the look of those victory pictures with a hair transplant.

Actor Ryan Reynolds rose to fame in the late 1990s with the sitcom, Two Guys and a Girl. Since then, he has steadily become one of the biggest actors in Hollywood. With roles in such films as Van Wilder, Green Lantern, and Deadpool, his films have amassed much success. One role in particular though, took quite a toll on the actor physically.

In the Rodrigo Cortés directed thriller, Buried, Reynolds reveals he came away from the part with some pretty serious injuries. The film, which came out in 2011, centers around an American truck driver (Ryan Reynolds) based in Iraq, who awakens buried alive in a coffin, armed only with a lighter and a cell phone. Due to most of the filming being done inside the claustrophobic quarters of a coffin, the actor experienced loss of skin, bleeding, and hair loss on the back of his scalp. The fortunate thing for Reynolds was that all were temporary, including the hair loss.

Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 film, Buried

The hair loss he experienced was most likely caused from a lack of circulation his scalp received due to lying on a hard surface for a prolonged length of time. This type of hair loss is similar to traction alopecia and is usually temporary. Also, since the head is an area of the body that receives good circulation, the better chance it would grow back.

With the overwhelming recent success of singer Ariana Grande’s new single, “Thank U, Next,” things couldn’t be going any better for the pop singer. One thing she may want to change though is her signature hairstyle, the high ponytail. The hairstyle she regularly wears can actually lead to a form of hair loss called traction alopecia.

Traction alopecia is a gradual form of hair loss that occurs when hair follicles in the scalp become irritated due to a continual pulling force. This causes loss of hair in patchy areas, usually residing in the front of the hairline and behind the ears. Hairstyles that place a constant strain on the scalp (such as braids, extensions, and ponytails) are generally responsible for it.

Psoriasis_Treatment
Ariana Grande wearing her signature high ponytail.

Like any type of hair loss, the effects of traction alopecia can not only be physical, but emotional too. Back in 2007, Britney Spears was believed to have been suffering from it (due to her reliance on extensions) and the resulting frustration is what was believed to cause her to shave her head.

Although traction alopecia is categorized as a temporary form of hair loss, it can be permanent, depending on the amount of damage done to the follicles. If that’s the case, the only option to address it may be a hair transplant procedure. If you believe you may be suffering from traction alopecia contact our office right away as early diagnosis is important.

With dreadlocks rise in popularity, it is an increasingly common hairstyle to see nowadays. Many famous actors, musicians, and athletes wear the hairstyle and it is a big part of their look. As prominent as dreadlocks may be though, they do come at a price.Dreadlock_Hair_Loss

The process of this trendy look can be detrimental to the hair follicles because over time it twists, mats, and tangles the hair. This in turn, causes the rise of additional hair loss, dandruff, and other scalp conditions. This damage can be irreversible and lower the longevity of the hair follicles by years accelerating to hair that is in poor condition.

One of the most common forms of hair loss that can occur is traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is a gradual form of hair loss that occurs when hair follicles in the scalp become irritated due to a continual pulling force. This causes loss of hair in patchy areas, usually residing in the front of the hairline and behind the ears.  Other hairstyles that place a constant strain on the scalp such as braids, extensions, and even ponytails can also be responsible for the condition.

dreadlocks-hair-loss

Traction alopecia caused by dreadlocks

Although traction alopecia is categorized as a temporary form of hair loss, it can be permanent depending on the amount of damage done to the follicles.  If you believe you may be suffering from traction alopecia give our office a call right away as early diagnosis is important.

 

NBA Superstar LeBron James has donned a headband throughout his entire career, but after ditching it in the second quarter of a March 7th game against the Phoenix Suns, the headband has remained noticeably absent. This has caused many to wonder why after so many years the four-time MVP decided to get rid of the accessory. Was it affecting his play? Was it uncomfortable? Or did he just want a different look? One theory out there is that he had a hair transplant last season and the hair has now grown in. He liked the results of the procedure so much that he wanted to show it off, thus getting rid of the headband.

For years, LeBron’s hairline, or lack thereof, has been regularly joked about and many believe that’s the reason he wore it in the first place. The headband was a way for him to cover up and camouflage his hair loss. In recent years, his hairline continued to recede considerably and something needed to be done about it. Either go the route of Michael Jordan and shave it off completely, or restore it permanently with a hair transplant.

LeBron James hair transplant scar
The back of LeBron’s head showing a noticeable scar.

Recent photos of the back of his head may further support the theory that he had a hair transplant. The back right side of his head clearly shows a linear scar, this is usually where the donor hair is taken from and is a telltale sign of a follicular unit transplant (although usually not as easily detectable). With the procedure being a gradual process it is also quite simple to hide that it was done (the full results may not be seen until about 8-12 months after).

Whatever you choose to believe, his team the Cleveland Cavaliers look prepared for a deep playoff run. So it looks like we’ll be seeing a lot of the new headband-less James.