What is Traction Alopecia Hair Loss (and how to prevent it)

Did you know that your hairstyle could be to blame for your hair loss?

There are many types of alopecia, often caused by things we cannot control. Traction alopecia is different; it happens because of actions taken by the person losing hair.

You may be inadvertently causing undue stress on your hair by pulling it back into tight ponytails, braids, cornrows, and extensions. With wedding and prom season upon us, tight hairstyles are becoming increasingly prevalent. No worries: you can still get your up-do at the salon with confidence for these special occasions, but just be mindful that tight hairstyles daily can cause harm.

Traction alopecia is different from other hair loss types like androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata. It happens when there is long-term tension on hair follicles. This tension often comes from tight hairstyles like ponytails and braids, or from chemical treatments.

This adds stress and tension to the follicle and, over time, it can damage the follicle enough that it can no longer produce hair. While particularly prevalent among individuals of African descent, it can impact people of various ethnic backgrounds as well as professionals and cultures.

Who is at Risk for Traction Hair Loss from Tight Hairstyles?

Anyone who wears tight hairstyles or places repeated stress on their scalp can get traction alopecia. However, some people experience this more than others if tight hairstyles are a part of everyday life in their culture or profession. From female military members to ballet dancers, traction alopecia hair loss can be caused by many hairstyles, including:

• Tight ponytails
• Braids
• Buns
• Up-dos
• Cornrows
• Extensions
• Weaves
• Dreadlocks
• Rollers worn to bed

In addition, hats, head scarves, and other hair coverings that constantly rub against the scalp can also contribute to traction alopecia hair loss.

How to Prevent Traction Alopecia Hair Loss?

With traction hair loss from tight hairstyles, we frequently see hair loss occurring at the temples or at the front of the hairline, or in between braids or cornrows. It’s important to note that traction alopecia does not occur overnight and it does not mean you can never enjoy a tight hairstyle again, especially as you start to plan your prom night or wedding day.

However, to prevent reoccurrence, you should avoid these types of hairstyles daily or for a prolonged period. The good news is that traction alopecia can often be reversed if caught early.

Most people are familiar with the word “alopecia”, but may not realize that it is a term for all types of hair loss. There are many types of alopecias, all having different causes and potentially necessitating different treatment plans. The most common type of alopecia is androgenic alopecia (a.k.a. female pattern hair loss in females), followed by telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and traction alopecia.

Here are some things to know about traction alopecia, according to the National Institute of Health:

• This type of hair loss from traction alopecia results from continuous pulling on the hair roots.
• Traction alopecia hair loss primarily impacts females of African descent with tightly-wound hair.
• Traction alopecia hair loss often begins in childhood and may initially be reversible; however, chronic cases can lead to permanent scarring.
• Traction alopecia is preventable with appropriate hair care practices, mainly by discontinuing hairstyles that put prolonged tension on the hair.
• Early signs of traction alopecia hair loss include hair breakage and thinning along tension-bearing scalp areas.
• Traction alopecia hair loss prevention involves discontinuing any hairstyle that exerts prolonged tension on the hair, as well as patient education regarding protective styling.

If you have suffered traction alopecia hair loss due to a hairstyle, don’t worry: there are ways to treat it.

Traction Alopecia Hair Loss Treatment Options

As said above, the only way to truly stop the advance of traction alopecia is to discontinue the use of tight hairstyles on a daily or prolonged basis. That being said, the condition can be reversed with treatments designed to rejuvenate the follicle to start regrowing hair, such as:

• Optimal Platelet Concentration™ Therapy: This advanced treatment takes Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy a step further to get the base line platelet counts on the day of treatment.
• Low Level Laser Therapy: This non-surgical procedure uses low-intensity lights to stimulate follicle growth and encourage healthier hair growth.
• Topical treatments: These products are designed to support healthy hair and reverse damage due to hair care regimens.
• Supplements: These don’t just address nutritional deficiencies; they also address factors that can cause or aggravate hair loss, from stress and inflammation to scalp and follicle health.

Through the above treatments, we can rejuvenate the follicle to start regrowing hair. However, over time it can become more challenging to treat. If left untreated, the loss from traction alopecia can become permanent. And remember: even with treatment, you will also need to stop the styling practice that damaged your hair in the first place.

Schedule Your Personalized Traction Alopecia Hair Loss Consultation Today

If you believe you are experiencing traction alopecia, or any type of alopecia hair loss, it is best to see a hair loss expert as soon as possible so that they can properly diagnose the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Call us today for a personalized consultation.