For those suffering from hair loss and thinning, identifying the cause is the first and most important step to finding a suitable treatment. Alopecia is one of the most common hair loss conditions, but with more and more people investing in the styling of their hair, there’s one type of alopecia that is growing at an alarming rate.
In this blog post, we share everything you need to know about the growing epidemic of traction alopecia, including what it is, the most common symptoms, and how to get yourself onto the road to recovery.
An introduction to traction alopecia
Traction alopecia is a hair loss and thinning condition that affects the head and scalp. It is caused by prolonged tension on the hair, and the continuous pulling or traction that results. Traction alopecia causes hair to break, primarily along the hairline, with thinning, baldness, pain, inflammation and long-term scarring widespread symptoms.
While more commonly linked to certain ethnicities, it is important to note that traction alopecia can affect people from any background or descent.
It is common amongst those who adopt tighter hairstyles (such as ponytails, braids and dreadlocks), as well as people who regularly treat their hair with chemicals or heat without the necessary protection. Blow drying and excessive brushing have also been linked to an increased risk of traction alopecia.
Reversing the effects of traction alopecia
Unlike many hair loss conditions, traction alopecia can be reversed with early intervention. Avoiding tighter hairstyles and damaging treatments is the perfect place to start, and this includes hair clips and tight headwear. You need to give your hair a good break by preventing further tension from being placed on the scalp.
Topical hair growth solutions, such as minoxidil and corticosteroids, have also proved effective for people recovering from traction alopecia. Taking better care of your hair with deep conditioning, and ensuring your hair and scalp have access to these top vitamins and minerals is recommended too.
Using wigs – the right way
The use of wigs and hairpieces is a must during recovery from traction alopecia. Wearing a wig can give you the confidence boost to go about your everyday as your hair grows from strength to strength. It can also provide a protective style to preserve and care for your natural hair underneath when worn correctly. Prepare your hair for wig wear with this advice from InStyle:
“Wearing a wig doesn’t mean that you can disregard your natural hair underneath. You will still need to take care of it otherwise you run the risk of doing much more harm than good. Much like traditional protective styles, braids and twists are your best bet. And yes, in this instance, size does matter… Also, make sure they’re done loosely to prevent any unnecessary tension, which can cause damage to both the hair and scalp.”
The wig you use should first and foremost be a great fit. A wig that is too tight could have the opposite effect causing your traction alopecia to worsen.
Find a high-quality wig that’ll help you get back to your best following your traction alopecia diagnosis by shopping with us today.