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What Causes Traction Alopecia?

Your hair, like every part of your body, requires the utmost specific care to keep it in the best condition. And in this case, it is not just your hair that needs care, your scalp also does and whatever affects one will affect the other.

Hair loss or Alopecia is one thing that affects everyone at some point in their lives, some earlier than others. There are different forms of Alopecia – Alopecia universalis, Alopecia Areata, Androgenic Alopecia, male/female pattern baldness and the spotlight of this article Traction Alopecia.

So, if you have been plagued by this silent hair thief and your hairline keeps disappearing? You might want to (this is not a suggestion) continue reading to know everything about Traction Alopecia, its causes, preventions and possible treatment.

What is Traction Alopecia?

Traction Alopecia is Alopecia caused by traction, that is, pulling or gripping the hair so tightly that it comes out of the scalp. This is a result of tight hairstyles placing a lot of tension on the hair follicles. Some of such styles include tight braids, ponytails or weaves, detangling, and heavy braids.

This done frequently can cause trauma and lead to permanent hair loss, known as scarring.

So, if you ever find yourself getting a facelift or having to use painkillers after having your hair made, it may be time to do away with such styles or ask your hairdresser to be gentler with your hair. We know that beauty is pain and comes at a price, but the price should not be a receding hairline and non-existent edges.

Traction Alopecia affects all backgrounds and ages as it is a lifestyle issue; it is the only form of alopecia that can be reversed if detected early enough.

However, while genetically there is no race predisposed to TA since it is mostly a result of harsh hair styling, people especially those of African descent might record higher rates of TA due to their haircare routines. The propensity also increases with age due to years of harmful hair practices. Another group that may record higher rates is people in professions requiring them to have their hair tightly packed. Gymnasts, policewomen and women in the army come to mind.

What Causes Traction Alopecia?

Traction alopecia typically starts as thinning hair around the delicate frontotemporal hairline before spreading to other parts of the scalp. Hair loss pattern usually follows the pattern of harsh hairstyling so patterns may differ from person to person.

The first step to caring for something is knowing the causes to help prevent further damage and avoid your triggers.

Traction Alopecia can be caused by the following:

1. Tightness: This involves tightly pulling the hair from its roots and causing tension. The following styles (if tight) but not limited to them can lead to Alopecia:

Braids
Cornrows
Ponytails
Buns
Up dos
Dreadlocks

2. Heaviness: Heavy hairstyles can cause traction due to their weight pulling the hair from its follicles.

Braids or weaves with beads (particularly heavy ones)

Dreadlocks
Ponytails
Overly long braids
Overly Large Buns

3. Headpieces and Hair Accessories: Tight hairstyles underneath tight hair pieces are a recipe for disaster as this double trouble pulls heavily on the scalp and hair from all angles and causes traction. Such hairpieces include but are not limited to:

Turbans
Scarves
Nurse’s caps
Hair clips and ties
Hair rollers
Helmets

4. Chemical Products: Chemical products like relaxers, and hair dyes predispose the hair to alopecia by weakening the follicles and making it more susceptible to damage alongside other causes above.

Traction Alopecia Symptoms

Symptoms of traction alopecia can vary from person to person, but these are a few signs to look out for if you believe you have Traction Alopecia. However, avoid self-diagnosing because hair loss can be quite similar but have different causes. Hair thinning occurs around the hair’s edges particularly the areas getting pulled on the most:

Hair loss in areas with residual hair left
Itchiness in affected areas
Pustules and bumps at hair roots
Broken hair patches
Widening hair parting
Redness in affected areas due to inflammation
Tenting where parts of your scalp lift off to follow the hair
Oily Hair
A rise in catagen and telogen hairs, is identifiable by the presence of a bulb at the end.
An increase in telogen follicles characterized by dormant hair that does not grow
Extended exposure can result in scarring, preventing hair regrowth in the affected area and leading to permanent hair loss.

Can Traction Alopecia Be Reversed?

Yes, Traction Alopecia can be reversed especially in the early stages. All you need to do is first avoid the causes above and then incorporate the following into your routine:

Whenever you need to detangle or comb your hair, do it lightly by using a big, toothed comb and a conditioner to make it easier and less prone to breakage. After this, you can then use a smaller one to remove any leftover tangles.
Avoid hairstyles that lift your face, if any signs of that, alert your hairdresser.
Loosen your normally tight hairstyles.
Loosen your braids frequently (not more than 2 months).
Make your braids bigger and looser rather than smaller and tighter.
Go for shorter and lighter hair extensions.
Avoid wigs that require bonding glue.
Loosen your headgears
Avoid relaxers completely or relax your hair routinely say 1 to 2 times a year but not more than 3. Don’t leave the relaxer in for too long.
If you must do tight styles, make sure they aren’t frequent and alternate with looser styles or leave your hair unmade to protect a specific area from hair loss.
Avoid elastic or rubbers because they may pull your hair but go for non-elastic hair ties.
Dietary choices - It is vital to keep hair healthy by getting enough protein and iron, which are essential for hair growth. Good sources of iron include beans, nuts, brown rice, meat, and leafy vegetables, such as spinach.

Final Thoughts

Hair loss can be quite draining and why do we not have control over most things that happen to our body. Traction Alopecia is one type of Alopecia that can be prevented by proper haircare choices and fully paying attention to our body’s warning signs.

So, the next time, you find your scalp in distress after having your hair made, do not hesitate to loosen it. However, note that occasionally tight hairstyles will not cause scarring, just discomfort so don’t panic at the thought of tight hairstyles.

For persistent concerns or signs of hair loss, it’s best to consult a trichologist or dermatologist to determine the most effective course of action for your hair and scalp health.