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The hairline often suffers from doing repetitive tight hairstyles like ponytails, braids, locs, and even from weaves. Chemical relaxers can also injure the scalp and cause hair strands to break. Traction alopecia from braids and other extensions is common. When all follicles are pulled tight into braids or different extension styles, eventual hair loss can occur. The symptoms of traction alopecia are different from those of other forms of alopecia.
If you have curly hair, you may be tempted to use relaxers or perms to achieve a straighter look. But these harsh chemicals increase breakage and, with continued use, can permanently damage follicles—making new growth impossible. Treat traction alopecia immediately by eliminating any tight hats, headbands, and helmets from your wardrobe. Or, only wear them for rare occasions to give your scalp relief. Protein and iron are two essential nutrients for hair growth.
Is Coconut Oil Good for Traction Alopecia?
A study conducted on a group of men shows that those who took 400 mg of pumpkin seed oil a day noticed a 40% increase in hair count in six months. Traction alopecia causes swelling on your scalp, which can be painful. An anti-inflammatory cream can help reduce pain and swelling. Mix these ingredients thoroughly and then apply the paste to the bald patches on your scalp before going to bed. You can also grind beetroot leaves or beet greens along with henna to create a paste to apply to your scalp. Leave the paste in your hair for 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing out.
Men can also have it in their beard if they twist it too tightly. Early on, traction alopecia might show up as little bumps on your scalp that look like pimples. As the condition progresses, the main symptom is missing and broken hairs. The hairs along the front and sides of your scalp are most often affected. However, you may also notice hair loss on other areas of your scalp, depending on your hairstyle. Please click on the menu below to see thepricingfor the various hair loss treatments by Wellaholic.
Headwear
People with alopecia areata develop hair loss when their immune systems attack the body’s natural processes. Corticosteroids work to prevent these attacks from happening. Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is a topical treatment that’s easy to apply and can be easily purchased over the counter. Minoxidil works to help the hair grow faster once the follicle is no longer under attack by the immune system and is capable of producing hair. People living with alopecia areata have options when it comes to managing their condition — although there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach.

Severe cases of traction alopecia may require a hair transplant. Minimize the use of chemicals on damaged hair as it can only worsen the condition. It will not only give you visible results but also protect your hair from harmful chemicals. In this article, we discuss effective ways to prevent and fix traction alopecia. Studies also show that diffusing lavender oil is also effective at reducing hair loss.
Topical minoxidil
Or, if you absolutely need to, keep your hair off your face by using a soft alice band, or tie it back loosely. Traction alopecia is essentially hair loss due to traction, i.e., hair loss caused by hair pulling, ouch! In most cases, tightly pulled hairstyles are usually the culprit behind this type of hair loss. You can prevent traction alopecia by choosing hairstyles that do not pull on your hair roots and alternating your hairstyles often.

Hair loss can occur even when the hairstyle doesn’t involve added extension hair. If the dreads are tightly formed and bound with a ponytail holder, they can still cause traction alopecia. However, the tighter the job, the more you’re at risk for thinning and bald spots.
Anything that pulls on your hair may damage your root hairs, thereby causing traction alopecia. So if caught early, it can be stopped, and any hair loss or thinning reversed. It is however important to note that traction alopecia can happen to anyone regardless of their ethnicity or age. For example, it is quite common among Caucasian gymnasts and ballet dancers as well as other sports professionals who have to wear tight ponytails or buns for lengthy durations. It is estimated that traction alopecia affects roughly one-third of women of African descent.
This means that your average, everyday ponytail likely isn’t going to result in significant hair loss. The best prevention is to wear your hair loose and in a natural way, and if not, you should not tighten it too much, also avoiding hair ironing and hair extensions . The best traction alopecia treatment is simply giving your scalp and hair a break, so the follicles can heal, and new growth can begin. So lay off the tight hairstyles, harsh chemicals, and heat styling for a while, and allow your hair the opportunity to recover.
Alopecia areata is a disease where your immune system attacks your hair follicles and leads to severe hair loss. As a result, bald/thinning patches appear anywhere on the body, though more prominently on the scalp. While the hair might regrow, the thinning and balding will likely start in another area. So, wearing your favorite baseball cap a few times a week probably isn’t going to make you go bald any time soon. Clinicana is the best hair transplant clinic in Istanbul, and we are specialists in all hair treatments.

Yes—traction alopecia can cause hair to become thinner and weaker over time. When your follicles are damaged, they stop producing healthy, strong hair. If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, it's time to start seeking traction alopecia treatment. The sooner you treat the condition, the less damage will be done, and the easier it will be to reverse.
A 2022 article explains that traction alopecia commonly results from tight hairstyles. These types of hairstyles often involve pulling the hair up or back, creating continuous tension on the scalp and roots. Licorice root, commonly used as a relaxing substance, can also rejuvenate your scalp, get rid of dandruff, and prevent infections that can cause hair loss. All of these can help you in retaining your precious hair and make it healthy when suffering from alopecia.
