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Traction Alopecia - How YOU Can Stop It
Traction alopecia.. its name - quite literally - means hair loss due to traction (or pulling). And whilst you may associate the word 'alopecia' with uncontrollable, devastating hair loss, the good news is that THIS type of hair loss is entirely within your control. You can not only stop it from happening, you can prevent its ever returning, too!
What are the Causes of Traction Alopecia?
Braids may cause traction alopecia
Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that happens over time. It's caused by putting the hair under constant strain or tension and is usually caused by one or more of the following...
Very tight ponytails or pigtails
Tight braids or cornrows
Dreadlocks
Extension (single) braids
Hair weaves or wigs attached with glue, clips or tape
Certain hair clips, slides or barrettes that hold the hair tightly and are worn in the same position every day
Headbands - even fabric ones - worn day after day
Tight hairpieces
Tight headgear like cycling helmets that are worn frequently or for long stretches of time and tend to rub or pull repeatedly on the same area of hair
Repeated use of hair rollers
Repeated pulling of the hair with the hands (this is an emotional condition called trichotillomania)
If you use or do any of the above, then you may find that the constant tension they cause has led to areas of thinning hair - usually around the temples or behind your ears. Alternatively, you might notice that the part in your hair looks wider than it used to.
If so, then it's quite likely that you're suffering from traction alopecia.
There's more to this condition than hair simply breaking off. Instead, the constant tension in the affected area either pulls out the hairs' roots completely, or causes the follicles to become inflamed. As time goes by, the damage to the follicles causes them to become atrophied (wasted away)... and if you don't put a stop to the cause of the problem, they will reach the point where they no longer produce hair at all.
Are YOU a Likely Candidate for Traction Alopecia?
Anyone can be affected by traction alopecia - young or old, male or female. It's more common within certain groups of the population, because they are more likely to use some of the hairstyling techniques listed above.
For example, African American women and girls are more likely to notice the problem due to braids and weaves. Ballerinas - who tend to wear their hair pulled into very tight ponytails - sometimes suffer from traction alopecia around the hairline as a result.
In a nutshell - if you have a habit of doing something on a frequent basis that puts your hair under some sort of strain, then you are a candidate for traction alopecia.
Read on to discover the many ways you can prevent it from happening, or stop further damage if you've already noticed a problem.
Traction Alopecia Symptoms
Have you ever undone a ponytail and found your scalp feels sensitive to the touch afterwards? 
Does untying your hair feel like a relief? 
Does your scalp itch after you've had braids or a weave put in?
Have you ever taken painkillers because your hair is secured so tightly it's given you a headache?
All of these are warning signs that your hair is under way too much tension. Your body is trying to tell you something... and you need to listen!
If not, the next thing you'll notice is that sections of your hair are actually missing, or worryingly sparse. You can often see this more clearly around the hairline or behind the ears, but it can often happen around the crown, too. It really depends on what was causing the tension in the first place.
Some people even notice pustules (blisters filled with pus) or papules (little pimples) where the hair is under a lot of tension. This is because of the irritation being caused to the scalp and is a clear indicator that the follicles just can't cope with the strain.
Can Traction Alopecia be Reversed?
Yes and no.
If you spot the warning signs of traction alopecia early enough and you put a stop to whatever's causing it, then your hair will stop falling out and should - with time, patience and loving care - be completely restored to its former glory.
But if the hair follicles have been so badly traumatized for such a long period of time that they have scarred over, then the hair will not grow back by itself. Areas of the scalp where this is the case will likely look shiny.
In cases like this, you'll need to think about some sort of surgical restoration - speak to your dermatologist to establish whether or not your traction alopecia has caused permanent scarring and to discuss the surgical options available to you.
Traction Alopecia Treatment
As discussed above, 'treatment' for traction alopecia is only effective before you've arrived at the stage of permanent damage.
But the good news is that 'treatment' - if you've caught the condition early enough - can be as simple as changing whatever hair styling and hair care practices you were using and really learning to CARE for this precious asset... your hair!
Wearing a weave
One of the biggest ironies about traction alopecia is that it's the most common cause of hair loss in African American women due to the application of weaves and hairpieces... yet those weaves and hairpieces are often used in the first place to enhance hair that may seem thin, or lacking in volume.
But - as writer Oliver Herford once said - 'A hair in the head is worth two in the brush'... and it may come down to a simple choice between learning to make the most of your natural hair... or risking having very little natural hair at all.
Weaves are generally applied through braiding, fusion, netting or bonding - and the sad fact is that any or all of these methods can lead to traction alopecia if used extensively, over long periods of time.
To minimize the risk of traction alopecia, or to try to prevent further damage and encourage regrowth, have your weave fitted by a state licensed professional. Yes, it may be more expensive, but you - and your hair - are worth it! Someone properly trained in hair care will keep damage to a minimum and will be able to spot potential problems and nip them in the bud.
The same goes for hair extensions, which can also cause hair loss problems in the lower half of the scalp. Have them fitted by a trained professional - don't try to fit them yourself or have a friend do them for you.
Speak to your hairdresser about taking care of your scalp - some women find it difficult to maintain good scalp hygiene because the weave or extensions make it awkward... unfortunately, though, this can make the problem of traction alopecia worse.
When chemicals are the culprits
There's a kind of alopecia called CCCA (central cicatricial centrifugal alopecia), also known as hot comb alopecia, or follicular degeneration syndrome. It's almost exclusively seen in African American women and it's often confused with female pattern baldness, because it starts at the crown and spreads to the surrounding areas.
The cause?
A mixture of too much stress (traction) on the hair along with the use of harsh chemicals like dyes, relaxers and bleaches. The chemicals actually damage the keratin structure of the follicle itself, causing hair LOSS, not just hair damage.
In fact, research conducted in 2008 showed that the highest prevalence of traction alopecia was in women with relaxed hair.
If you suspect this is a condition that's affecting you, speak to your dermatologist. In addition to removing the cause of the traction and stopping the use of chemicals in your hair, you may be tested for any bacterial or viral infection and possibly be prescribed topical steroids, antibiotics or topical minoxidil to encourage regrowth.
NOTE: If you must use a relaxer on your hair, have it done professionally. Specialists are seeing more and more problems caused by home