Can You Reverse Traction Alopecia
Hair loss is more widespread than many people realize, with half of men (53%) and over a third of women (37%) experiencing baldness by age 65. This can significantly impact an individual’s confidence and self-esteem, and people of all ages and genders may experience hair loss, medically known as alopecia. There are different types of alopecia, including the most well-known type, alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease and androgenetic alopecia, which has a genetic cause. Sometimes hair loss can also have mechanical reasons, known as traction alopecia. Unlike some other forms, it’s preventable and manageable with early detection.
Read this article to learn about traction alopecia, its causes, and who is most at risk. The article also explains whether you can reverse traction alopecia and how to prevent and treat this condition.
What is Traction Alopecia?
Traction alopecia occurs when hair follicles are under constant or repeated stress and tension. This results in their weakening, hair thinning and breakage. Hair loss often happens gradually and is usually most apparent on the edges of the scalp, including the hairline, temples, behind the ears, and other spots that are under frequent stress from styling. Apart from thinning hair, early symptoms can include small broken hairs, redness, tenderness, or mild inflammation. Ultimately, traction alopecia presents with bald spots and eventually permanent hair loss if the condition remains untreated.
Causes and Who is Most At Risk
Tight hairstyles and the methods used for them are most commonly to blame for traction alopecia. For instance, this may apply to individuals who regularly wear tight ponytails or buns and use clips, glue, or tight bands to hold wigs and extensions in place. Other factors that may play a role are rollers, hairpins, or headbands pulling on the same area, as well as chemical treatments or heat styling.
Certain groups, including women, children, teens, and people with naturally fragile or delicate hair, are most at risk when using the above styling practices. Additionally, traction alopecia is also relatively common among dancers, athletes, members of the military, or other cultural or professional groups that often strain their hair.
Can You Reverse Traction Alopecia?
You can generally reverse traction alopecia and regrow the hair when the condition is addressed early. In this case, you need to ensure that stressed hair follicles have not been fully destroyed. Signs of possible regrowth often include short, fine hairs along the affected areas, along with an irritated scalp.
If traction alopecia has led to bald patches and smooth, shiny skin on your scalp that have persisted for years, your condition is probably advanced. This means that your hair follicles have been damaged over the years, and too much scarring has likely occurred for your hair to grow back.
Prevention and Treatment
To prevent traction alopecia, avoiding overuse of tight hairstyles, especially those that strain the same areas of the scalp, is key. This can include wearing looser hairstyles, as well as rotating styles. Caution should also be used with heavy extensions, weaves, tightly secured wigs, heat styling and chemical treatment. Other effective prevention methods include using wide-tooth combs, soft brushes, and keeping your scalp clean and moisturized.
When it’s too late for prevention methods, and you have already started experiencing hair loss, you may wonder how to reverse traction alopecia. If caught early enough, it can be addressed using topical or oral products like minoxidil or finasteride. This can be complemented with anti-inflammatory creams to calm irritated skin and other beneficial therapies as recommended by your doctor. Consistently monitoring your scalp health is crucial to avoiding hair loss from returning.
If you have experienced irreversible hair loss, procedures like scalp micropigmentation, hair transplantations, or wigs are viable options to boost your confidence and avoid traction alopecia from holding you back.
