Good for you/Bad for you: Wet ponytails

By Amy Johnson

Thursday, September 17, 2009

The ponytail has long been a quick hairstyle fix for bad-hair days, when we’re in a hurry, or when we just don’t want our hair in our face. But could what you’ve always considered a quick fix be hurting your scalp?

photo

Photo illustration by Amy Johnson

PonyFail: Putting your hair up when it’s wet could cause dermatitis.

Lawrence dermatologist Matthew Buxton says a common and often overlooked problem he sees among his female patients occurs after they get in the habit of pulling their hair up while it’s wet. Buxton says that the wet hair holds in moisture and heat.

The combination of heat and moisture promotes dermatitis, a minor hair follicle infection. This scaling rash is fairly common and may appear on the scalp as a dry spot with pinkish color that can cause itching.

While this rash is typically harmless, Buxton says you should take precautions when sculpting the perfect ponytail. If you’re really in a rush and your hair is wet, try just blow-drying the roots of your hair to keep the scalp area dry and rash-free.

Verdict: Bad for you

 

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