I Use Styling Wax — Does It Clog Pores, Causing Hair Loss

Hi Doctor,

I am a 21 yr old Chinese male.

I have noticed quite a large amount of hair loss from me (it’s been on going for quite awhile now, perhaps months or a few years but I only become more concerned recently). I had rather thick hair so i was not worried until now. Although I can’t tell if my hair has thinned recently but I have become more self conscious about it, as the top seems ‘flatter’.

I know it is normal to lose 100 – 200 strands of hair daily, I don’t really count the strands that falls off daily so I have no idea if my hair loss is in that range, but it sure feels abnormal as i notice strands of hair on my clothings and around me quite often, and strands of hair always seems to fall out when I brush through my hair. My mother and brother also complains that places where I sit tends to have strands of hair left around the area.

I know from some posts in your blog that you say hair product does not cause hair loss, but I am rather concerned as I use styling wax(which is very difficult to wash off) on my hair for the past few years daily. I tend to rub them into my scalp(which I heard will clog up the pores and cause hair loss). Furthermore I get lazy sometimes and do not wash them all off. I have stopped using styling wax for the past 2 or 3 months, but the hair loss remains.

I had major surgery about 3 months back, but my hair loss problem is around even before that. I do not notice balding in my family or relatives.

What should I do? Thanks.

The heavy waxes can stick to the hair and when you try to get it off, it may continue sticking to the hair. When you comb hair that has heavy wax on it, I am sure that constant repetition of this can cause traction alopecia. You must wait out a period of 6 months to see what will happen. I think that a good examination of your scalp is important to understand what has happened and will show if you have genetic hair loss underlying the problem you are talking about.