Stop Traction Alopecia in it's Tracks!

Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that results from subjecting the hair to excessive pulling force.   "Though [it] can occur in any race, it is most common among women of color who wear their hair pulled back in braids, or in other tight styles, away from the face." (The Science of Black Hair - Audrey Savisothy).

Tight braids, barrettes, hair weaves, and headbands worn excessively, are all very common causes of traction alopecia.  Excessive use of hair chemical can also cause the condition.  I had the misfortune of contracting traction alopecia around my right temple back in 2005.

Peep my super-tight edges.  This was the hair style that kicked off my traction alopecia in 2005.

I went to get my hair cornrowed at a popular braiding salon in South LA.  The little dude that was braiding my hair was hell-bent on getting every last little strand into the braids around my hair line.  Unfortunately for me, that super-tight mess stripped my temple bare, and actually caused an ingrown hair on that shiny bald patch.  The ingrown grew HUGE, got infected, and I eventually had to go to a plastic surgeon to get it aspirated and stitched back up.  Although the hair eventually grew back (it took the better part of a year), it is not as dense as the other areas around my temples. SMH on that.  That's why you always have to tell braiders to go easy on your edges.  They want to do their job, and have your hair looking super neat, but the edges can't handle it.

In any event, traction alopecia is reversible....let me rephrase that.  Early stage traction alopecia is reversible.  Late stage traction alopecia is not. "The constant tension involved in braiding and other similar hairstyles can damage the dermal papilla and hair follicle, causing hair to stop growing".
So if you think you may have traction alopecia, this is what you need to do, STAT:

• Stop wearing you hair in the same style that is causing the stress and physical damage.  Switch it up a bit!  Don't wear that Sade tight, slicked back pony tail all the time.  Don't wear your head band or hat every single day. Give your hair a break, and diversify your styling.
• Step away from the hair bleach and dyes.
• Massage your scalp to increase blood flow, and stimulate growth.
• Make sure there is some slack between your pony tail and head.
• Don't constantly sleep with your head in tightly bound pony tails or roller sets. Once in a while won't kill you.

Once the scalp and follicles are permanently damaged, it's a wrap.  Your hair is not growing back.  So please, avoid habits that cause traction alopecia.  The most popular treatment for late stage traction alopecia is  FUE - Follicular Unit Extraction, which involves implanting individual hair into the affected areas.  Tedious, painful, and expensive. Take care of your hair, ladies! - YB