Preventing and treating traction alopecia caused by braids involves a combination of protective styling techniques, proper hair care, and seeking professional help if necessary. Here are some steps to take: Choose the right size and tension: Braids that are too small or too tight can lead to traction alopecia. Choose a size that is comfortable and doesn’t cause pain or discomfort. Avoid pulling the hair too tight when braiding to prevent unnecessary stress on the scalp and hair follicles. Alternate hairstyles: Wearing braids for an extended period can cause traction alopecia. Give your hair and scalp a break by alternating braids with other protective styles like twists, bantu knots, or weaves. This will help reduce the tension and stress on your hair and scalp. Use protective products: Using protective products like oils, leave-in conditioners, and serums can help protect the hair and scalp from damage. These products will also keep the hair moisturized and help prevent breakage. Proper hair care: Proper hair care is essential in preventing and treating traction alopecia. Regular washing, deep conditioning, and moisturizing are crucial in maintaining healthy hair and scalp. Avoid using harsh chemicals and heat styling tools that can cause damage to the hair. Seek professional help: If you are experiencing severe hair loss, seek professional help from a dermatologist or trichologist. They will be able to diagnose and treat your hair loss and recommend the appropriate treatment. Take breaks: It is important to take breaks from braiding to give the scalp a chance to rest and heal. When you remove braids, be gentle, and avoid pulling on the hair to prevent further damage.

There are several products that may help with traction alopecia, but it’s important to note that they may not work for everyone and should be used in conjunction with other preventive measures. Here are some products that may be beneficial: Minoxidil: This is a topical medication that is FDA-approved to treat hair loss. It works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, which can promote hair growth. It can take several months of consistent use to see results. Essential oils: Certain essential oils, such as lavender, rosemary, and peppermint, have been shown to stimulate hair growth and reduce inflammation. These oils can be diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil, and massaged into the scalp. Hair growth supplements: Supplements that contain biotin, vitamin D, and other nutrients that are important for hair growth may help to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. However, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplements. Scalp massage: Massaging the scalp can help to increase blood flow to the hair follicles and promote hair growth. Use the fingertips to gently massage the scalp in circular motions. Protective styles: Switching to looser, gentler protective styles, such as twists or bantu knots, may help to prevent further damage to the hair follicles. It’s important to note that these products may not work for everyone, and it’s always best to speak with a healthcare provider or dermatologist for personalized recommendations. Additionally, it’s important to address the root cause of traction alopecia, which is often tight hairstyles, and make lifestyle changes to prevent further damage to the hair follicles.

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Traction Alopecia

What is traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is a form of hair loss caused by prolonged or repeated tension on the hair follicles.

Traction – Tension/Pulling ; Alopecia – hair loss

Traction Alopecia is most commonly seen in people with curly or tightly coiled hair, and is often caused by hairstyles that pull the hair tight, such as braids, weaves, or extensions.

When hair is pulled too tightly, it can cause damage to the hair follicles, leading to inflammation and scarring. Over time, this can cause the hair follicles to become damaged and stop producing new hairs, leading to hair loss.

The Anatomy of hair

The anatomy of the hair and scalp is important to understanding how traction alopecia works. Hair grows from “pockets” in the scalp called hair follicles. These are embedded in the scalp and have a specific structure.

Each hair follicle has:

a sebaceous gland that produces oil to help keep the hair lubricated and healthy.

Blood vessels that surround the hair follicle, which deliver nutrients and oxygen to the hair

An Arrector Pili muscle that is responsible for pulling the hair upright

Different layers/regions:

Infundibulum
Isthmus
Suprabulbar region
Bulbar region

How traction effects the hair follicle

In traction alopecia, the inflammation is typically localized to the lower portion of the hair follicle, specifically the infundibulum and isthmus. These are the areas where the sebaceous gland and the arrector pili muscle are located, and where the hair follicle undergoes the most mechanical stress due to hair pulling.

The chronic tension on the hair shafts can cause damage to the hair follicle and disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, leading to inflammation and ultimately to hair loss. The inflammation can be observed histologically as perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate, which is a hallmark of traction alopecia.

Process of Traction Alopecia

Hair follicle distortion: The hair follicle is the structure in the skin that produces and maintains hair growth. Tension on the hair can distort the hair follicle, causing it to stretch and bend. Over time, this distortion can damage the hair follicle and lead to inflammation.
Inflammation: When the hair follicle is damaged, it triggers an immune response in the body, causing inflammation. The inflammatory response is characterized by the recruitment of immune cells to the damaged area, which release chemicals that promote tissue repair and healing. However, if inflammation persists for an extended period, it can lead to scarring.
Scarring: Prolonged inflammation can lead to the accumulation of scar tissue in the hair follicle. Scar tissue is tough and fibrous and can permanently damage the hair follicle, preventing it from producing hair.
Hair loss: When the hair follicle is damaged to the point of scarring, it can no longer produce hair. This results in permanent hair loss in the affected area.

Affected areas

Traction on hair can cause damage to the infundibulum of the hair follicle and its associated structures. The infundibulum is the part of the hair follicle where the hair shaft exits the skin surface. This area is made up of the opening of the sebaceous gland, the upper part of the hair follicle, and the epidermal orifice, which is the opening in the skin through which the hair emerges.

Traction on hair can cause inflammation and scarring around the infundibulum, leading to the formation of papules, pustules, and scaly patches. The sebaceous gland can also be damaged, leading to the accumulation of sebum and inflammation. Over time, this can lead to the destruction of the hair follicle, resulting in permanent hair loss.

Traction can also cause damage to the arrector pili muscle, which is a small muscle that is attached to the hair follicle. This muscle is responsible for causing the hair to stand on end in response to cold or fear. Traction can cause the arrector pili muscle to become stretched, which can lead to damage and inflammation.

Treating Traction Alopecia

Methods to consider

Preventing and treating traction alopecia caused by braids involves a combination of protective styling techniques, proper hair care, and seeking professional help if necessary. Here are some steps to take:

Choose the right size and tension: Braids that are too small or too tight can lead to traction alopecia. Choose a size that is comfortable and doesn’t cause pain or discomfort. Avoid pulling the hair too tight when braiding to prevent unnecessary stress on the scalp and hair follicles.
Alternate hairstyles: Wearing braids for an extended period can cause traction alopecia. Give your hair and scalp a break by alternating braids with other protective styles like twists, bantu knots, or weaves. This will help reduce the tension and stress on your hair and scalp.
Use protective products: Using protective products like oils, leave-in conditioners, and serums can help protect the hair and scalp from damage. These products will also keep the hair moisturized and help prevent breakage.
Proper hair care: Proper hair care is essential in preventing and treating traction alopecia. Regular washing, deep conditioning, and moisturizing are crucial in maintaining healthy hair and scalp. Avoid using harsh chemicals and heat styling tools that can cause damage to the hair.
Seek professional help: If you are experiencing severe hair loss, seek professional help from a dermatologist or trichologist. They will be able to diagnose and treat your hair loss and recommend the appropriate treatment.
Take breaks: It is important to take breaks from braiding to give the scalp a chance to rest and heal. When you remove braids, be gentle, and avoid pulling on the hair to prevent further damage.

Products to Consider

There are several products that may help with traction alopecia, but it’s important to note that they may not work for everyone and should be used in conjunction with other preventive measures. Here are some products that may be beneficial:

Minoxidil: This is a topical medication that is FDA-approved to treat hair loss. It works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, which can promote hair growth. It can take several months of consistent use to see results.
Essential oils: Certain essential oils, such as lavender, rosemary, and peppermint, have been shown to stimulate hair growth and reduce inflammation. These oils can be diluted with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil or jojoba oil, and massaged into the scalp.
Hair growth supplements: Supplements that contain biotin, vitamin D, and other nutrients that are important for hair growth may help to promote hair growth and prevent hair loss. However, it’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplements.
Scalp massage: Massaging the scalp can help to increase blood flow to the hair follicles and promote hair growth. Use the fingertips to gently massage the scalp in circular motions.
Protective styles: Switching to looser, gentler protective styles, such as twists or bantu knots, may help to prevent further damage to the hair follicles.

It’s important to note that these products may not work for everyone, and it’s always best to speak with a healthcare provider or dermatologist for personalized recommendations. Additionally, it’s important to address the root cause of traction alopecia, which is often tight hairstyles, and make lifestyle changes to prevent further damage to the hair follicles.