Is My Receding Hairline from Wearing a Bandana?

Hey Doctors,

I already saw the post from 2005 concerning bandannas and hair loss but I would really like some clarification. I am 21 and have been wearing a bandanna around my head since I was 16 every single day. My mom called me out this past weekend at home concerning a receding hairline I seem to have developed, despite having absolutely no family history of hair loss on either side.

I imagine this must be linked to my bandanna, but what I need clarification in understanding is whether or not the hair loss is actually related to my bandanna. I question this because my bandanna sits right above my eyebrows under my hair

Thanks for allowing me to post the photo you sent. Click to enlarge.

From the looks of it, it appears that you have typical hairline recession commonly seen in genetic hair loss. If it was due to extreme bandana wear, you would likely have some form of traction alopecia where the hair loss would occur around the tight pressure spots where the bandana constantly rubbed on your scalp. I don’t think you wear the bandana that high up on your hairline, so I wouldn’t expect traction is the cause.

Overall it seems strange that you would wear a bandana every single day and I wonder if you wore this due to early perceived hair loss recession. Finally, having no immediate family history of hair loss does not necessarily mean you are immune from genetic hair loss.