Bubble hair deformity

Bubble hair deformity is damage of the hair shaft, resulting in patches of short weak brittle hair, that feels rough.^[1]

Bubble hair deformity
Specialty	Dermatology
Symptoms	Short weak brittle hair, that feels rough[1]
Complications	Hair breaks easily[2]
Causes	Excess heat on wet hair, chemicals[3]
Risk factors	Hair dryers, hair straighteners, curling tongs[2]
Diagnostic method	Appearance, microscopy[3]
Prevention	Avoiding excessive heat and chemicals[2]
Frequency	Females>males[2]

It is typically caused by chemicals and heat; temperatures greater than 125 °C on wet hair, such as with the use of hair dryers, hair straighteners and curling tongs.^[2]

Definition

Bubble hair deformity is damage of the hair shaft, resulting in patches of short weak brittle hair, that feels rough.^[1]

Cause

It is typically caused by chemicals and heat; temperatures greater than 125 °C on wet hair, such as with the use of hair dryers, hair straighteners and curling tongs.^[2]

Mechanism

Bubble hair is characterized by rows of bubbles seen microscopically within localized areas of the brittle hair.^[3] These air-filled spaces occur in the cortex of the hair shaft that correspond to the breakdown of keratin and local air expansion triggered by hot water passing through the shaft.^[2] There may be an inherited predisposition.^[4] It can be associated with trichorrhexis nodosa and trichoptilosis.^[2]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis can be confirmed by microscopy.^[3]

Prevention

Avoiding excessive heat and chemicals can prevent the condition.^[2]

Epidemiology

Bubble hair is more common in females.^[2]