What is traction alopecia?

Traction alopecia, also known as tension alopecia, refers to hair loss brought on by persistent hair pulling. This stress on the hair is caused by wearing tight hairstyles like braids or ponytails, exposing your hair to chemicals, or improperly wearing wigs or scarves. Due to the strain on the hair follicles, hair tends to fall out, resulting in bald spots or thinning hair. Traction alopecia rarely leads to total baldness because of the nature of its cause, which causes it to occur at the hairline or the nape of the neck.So what is traction alopecia:what is it and how to deal with it.

How do you identify traction alopecia?

Hair loss is the most noticeable sign of traction alopecia. Other symptoms of traction alopecia include:

• Hairline receding along the nape, sides, and front of the head.
• Tiny pimples appear on the scalp, particularly at the base of braided hairstyles.
• The scalp starts to itch and feel tender
• The appearance of blisters on the scalp
• The occurrence of spots indicating broken hair
• The appearance of patches of redness on the scalp

Causes of traction alopecia

Constant exposure to anything that weakens the grip of the hair follicles on the hair shaft leads to traction alopecia. In light of this, risk factors for traction alopecia include:

• The making of tight hairstyles like buns and ponytails.
• The protracted pulling of hair at the scalp from its weight.
• The use of hair extensions, weaves, or accessories.
• The use of hair curlers all night
• The use of chemicals to treat hair.
• Wearing headgear every day.

Who are those affected by traction alopecia?

There is no hereditary predisposition to traction alopecia; anyone can get affected. Some people are more susceptible than others because of how it happens.

Professionals like ballet dancers or gymnasts are more prone to be affected by traction alopecia because they frequently sport buns or ponytails, 

Sporting pros frequently don headbands or helmets when competing, which increases the risk of traction alopecia.

Because of the frequent hairstyles they wear, women of African heritage frequently develop traction alopecia.

The hold of hair follicles on the hair shaft decreases as people age, making it more common in adults than in children.

Relationship between wigs and traction alopecia

When worn incorrectly, wigs can cause traction alopecia. Hair thinning and breakage can occur due to tight-fitting wigs pushing against the scalp. With wigs glued to the scalp, the hair follicles are often damaged, which leads to traction alopecia. Using bands and clips to secure wigs regularly can also cause traction alopecia.

You can still use wigs to protect your hair, but only when you wear them correctly. You can wear clip-on or lace front wigs to give your hair a rest from harmful hairstyles and hair treatments. See this post for advice on how to wear wigs without harming your natural hair.

How to manage traction alopecia?

Changing up your hairstyle is the best approach to control traction alopecia. Remove the style or avoid it entirely if it is causing hair strain. Try not to maintain any hairstyle for an extended period.

If your hair is long, shorten it and avoid chemical treatments. Additionally, you can utilize excellent hair growth products and massage anti-inflammatory cream into your scalp.

For expert guidance on the best course of therapy for you, we advise consulting a doctor or trichologist.

Bottom line

In its early stages, traction alopecia is a condition you can easily manage. Even though it could take some time, when the issue is identified quickly and treated, your hair can be restored. But ignoring it can result in lasting harm and irreversible hair loss. As a result, you should frequently check your scalp for any indications of thinning and seek the advice of a dermatologist or specialist for the best course of action.