Certain hairstyles blamed for hair loss in women

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A local doctor is warning women that your hair style could lead to dangerous infections and permanent hair loss.

A few months ago we introduced you to Brittany Dever, who developed a serious scalp infection after she skipped the salon and had a weave sewn in at someone's house. Dermatologist Dr. Milton Moore saw the story we aired and contacted us to help. He says Dever is part of a rapidly growing epidemic among African American women.

"I had no idea what to do at all. I was lost," Dever told us.

Dever still remembers the trauma of the infection that made her hair fall out even though it's been two months since it started growing back.

"I'm very self-conscious going out, making sure it's covered up and nobody can see it. I haven't really told anyone about my hair except some of my closest friends," Dever said.

"I was pretty depressed about how I looked with no hair," said Laura Foman-Walker.

"The embarrassing part was going into the sunlight. I could see my scalp," Tebben Lewis said.

Both Foman-Walker and Lewis experienced sudden hair loss.

"It has really taken a toll on me. My hair is a lot to me," Lewis said.

Dr. Moore says he sees up to 10 women a day for a condition he says is preventable.

"Alopecia means hair loss, and hair loss can be caused by a number of problems, but this epidemic problem that African American women are having and suffering from is a folliculitis induced Alopecia," Dr. Moore said.

There are three main causes of this type of Alopecia. For Lewis, it was over-processing.

"It's important to have your relaxers done professionally every six to eight weeks -- not two to three weeks," Dr. Moore said.

Foman-Walker overused thick pomades on her scalp.

"These oils and pomades drain down to the follicle of the scalp," Dr. Moore said.

The most common cause of hair loss is what happened to Dever. Her weave sewn too tightly, leading to a bacterial Infection.

"It's pulling at your hair follicle and destructing the hair follicle. Once this destruction occurs after weeks to months to years, then we cannot get the hair to grow back because it does not exist," Dr. Moore said.

Dr. Moore treated Dever with steroids, oral antibiotics, and a special shampoo.

"It kills bacteria at the surface of the skin and the scalp, and it conditions the hair at the same time," he said.

In just a week...

"Hair was starting to grow back. R: now, two months later? B: it's a lot better. It's not as noticeable. I still have to cover it up, though," Dever said.

Dr. Moore says the key to preventing permanent damage is to act quickly if you have pain, tightness, swelling, puss, or bleeding see a dermatologist right away.