Can Traction Alopecia be Reversed? When Is It Too Late to Recover?
When hair is repeatedly pulled or tightened in the same manner, it can stress and damage the hair follicle. Early on the hair loss is usually reversible, but if the tension continues, chronic cases can end in permanent scarring hair loss.
Women who wear their hair in tight ponytails, ballerina buns, braids, dreadlocks, or weaves, or wear extensions on a regular basis can start to experience thinning hair as well as bald spots. Women of African descent with tightly curled hair are most commonly affected, and the condition also turns up in ballet dancers, military personnel, and children.
Constant tension on the same sections of hair is one of the most common causes of this type of hair loss, and it's one of the few forms of hair loss that's largely preventable once you know the symptoms to watch for. If caught early enough, traction alopecia can be reversed by stopping the cause of the hair pulling and changing the hairstyle to relieve the hair follicles of the excessive and repeated tension.
HOW TO REVERSE TRACTION ALOPECIA
First and foremost, it is best to give your hair and scalp a break from tension and pulling, as this is what causes damage to the hair follicle. Opting for protective hairstyles for traction alopecia can help. This means choosing styles that allow hair to be natural and loose and foregoing tight ponytails, buns, braids, or hair extensions.
Avoiding tight hairstyles and switching to looser hairstyles as soon as you notice early traction alopecia gives your follicles the best chance to recover and will support hair health for the long run.
Check out some hairstyles and practices that can help hide traction alopecia and minimize repeat insult to the hair follicles
SIGNS OF PERMANENT TRACTION ALOPECIA
The earliest clinical sign of traction alopecia is redness around the follicles, often alongside excessive hair shedding, soreness, or tightness on the scalp, particularly after letting hair down from being tied up or braided. As the condition persists, signs will become more severe, such as itching, tenderness, inflammation and redness around the follicles, follicular pustules, broken hairs, and bald patches. Some people also get headaches that ease when the hair is loosened.
The hair loss often appears at the hairline and temple region, sometimes progressing into a receding hairline, from the excessive pulling and tension at the root. Scarring can also be present along with cessation of hair growth, and in cases of more extensive hair loss, a dermatology specialist may want to rule out other conditions.
One example is alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss but isn't related to hairstyle tension. If you are experiencing these more extreme signs, it is important to see a dermatologist. Outcomes are most favorable when the condition is addressed before follicular destruction leads to permanent hair loss, and a specialist is the only person who can tell you where yours stands.
The doctor may take a biopsy, which can tell traction alopecia apart from conditions like alopecia areata and frontal fibrosing alopecia and show whether the follicles have been replaced by scar tissue, and in the most advanced cases may discuss hair restoration surgery as an option. Once scarring has occurred, the follicle has sustained permanent damage, and advanced traction alopecia responds far less well to creams and other medical treatments. Your doctor is the right person to say what, if anything, is still worth trying.
HOW TO PREVENT TRACTION ALOPECIA
The best way to prevent traction alopecia is to be careful with the hairstyles you choose to wear, since thinning edges are often the first visible sign of trouble. Sporting a ponytail or bun is okay, but wearing one every day, ALL day long, could lead to excessive pulling and tension on the hair follicles.
Similarly, if you like to wear tight braids or extensions, it's important to give your hair a break and wear it loose and natural. A few simple lifestyle changes now can help you fix traction alopecia before it progresses, and relieving the tension on the hair shaft is the foundation of any traction alopecia treatment at any stage, even before you consider anything more involved.
Everything in moderation! Try not to sleep with hair pulled back; select gentle hair ties and barrettes; alternate wearing hair up and down, loose and natural, so the scalp can breathe and relax from repeated friction and strain.
Keep the scalp clean and free of product buildup, and brush the affected area gently. It is hard to say when it is too late to reverse traction alopecia, as everyone reacts differently; the sooner you catch it, the better your chances of a full recovery. It is best to change habits as soon as you notice any of the initial signs and talk to a doctor if you don't notice improvement.
What Hairstyles Work Best for Traction Alopecia?
INTACT 5 - ANTI HAIR SHEDDING TREATMENT
PROTECT YOUR HAIR NOW
INTACT 5 is a drug free shedding treatment rather than a medical treatment for traction alopecia, and it is designed to increase protection against the development of traction alopecia while you take the tension off your hair. INTACT 5 helps minimize hair loss from pulling and tension on the hair follicles. Over 91% of users experienced a significant reduction in hair shedding following a single application, in results reported from a third party, double-blind placebo study. Clinically proven & patented. No sulfates, phthalates, parabens, silicones, or gluten. Oil-free and safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair. Vegan-friendly and color-safe.
Most cases of traction alopecia can be reversed if the tension is relieved at an early stage of the condition. Where the follicles are still intact, stopping the pulling can allow hair to grow back, though how long that takes varies from person to person. In the early stages, when the tension has been intermittent and mild, discontinuing the hairstyle that caused it can lead to complete hair regrowth.
The same habits also help you maintain healthy hair for good. Where scarring has already set in, permanent follicle damage may call for hair transplants or scalp micropigmentation to restore coverage. Many people are first seen by a doctor at this later stage, which is why acting early matters so much.
Some people go on to explore hair transplantation as a longer-term option for restoring normal hair growth to the area. For most people, though, being treated early can help prevent the condition from progressing to that point.
