What causes Traction Alopecia?

Hairstyles that place the roots of the hair under constant pressure are the main cause of Traction Alopecia. These include tightly-fitting hair extensions, weaves, hairpieces and tautly woven styles like high ponytails, braids and cornrows.

What are the signs of Traction Alopecia and who does it affect?

Traction Alopecia generally affects the hairline, causing hair loss around the front of the scalp and at the temples. Due to the nature of the hairstyles that tend to cause Traction Alopecia, this hair loss condition is predominantly seen in women.

However, men who wear their hair in tight braids, dreadlocks or sport hair extensions are also susceptible to Traction Alopecia. Many celebrities, dancers and models suffer from this condition due to their over-use of hair extensions and tightly-fixed hair embellishments, such as hairpieces.

How is Traction Alopecia treated?

Depending on the stage that the hair loss caused by Traction Alopecia has reached, there are products that may help to restore the denisty of the hair that has been affected. We recommend you contact your GP or a dermatologist about this.

Once the follicles affected by Traction Alopecia have ceased to produce hair, treatment will not be effective. This will be the case if the hair has been under large amounts of strain for many years and the areas of traction alopecia hair loss are completely bald (these areas will appear shiny). In such cases there may however be surrounding follicles that are still producing hair that can be helped. This is something you will be able to discuss with your dermatologist or doctor.