Hair thinning can have many causes. Hair thinning can occur as a result of an imbalanced diet or poor absorption of vitamins and nutrients. Hair thinning can also be a hereditary condition brought on by aging as a result of a genetic predisposition. Thinner hair can also be triggered by a hormonal imbalance of androgens that affects the hair follicle’s ability to grow hair by shrinking the follicle.
Traction alopecia is another potential cause of hair loss and is one that is brought on externally by wearing the hair in constrictive styles that pull on the follicles for an extended amount of time, resulting in hair thinning. Traction alopecia is commonly caused by tying the hair back often in tight braids or with a weave for prolonged periods of time. Traction alopecia can also occur when one wears cornrows or tight braids and weaves. Hair thinning begins around the hair that frames the face where the shaft is weakest. Here is a list of signs of traction alopecia, preventative measures you can take to reduce the likelihood of developing the condition, and treatments you can implement to try and counteract it if you currently have this.
- Traction alopecia signs typically present in the form of hair thinning around the temples and forehead part of the hair. A way to distinguish between traction alopecia and other forms is the process of elimination and an assessment of the symptoms. If hormone imbalance and hereditary factors are ruled out and there is a history of wearing hair in hairstyles that pull on the follicles like weaves or other tight hairstyles, then traction alopecia is the likely culprit. Another presentation to look out for that is common in traction alopecia is swelling, itching and a tight feeling where the hair has thinned around the scalp. A risk factor of traction alopecia is frequently wearing restrictive hairstyles like cornrows, tight braids or weaves without taking breaks in between to help maintain adequate blood flow to the hair follicles.
- Prevention for traction alopecia is to avoid wearing hairstyles that apply pressure to the hair follicles such as tight braids and cornrows. There is also the option of changing hairstyles frequently to prevent pressure focusing only on one part of your scalp. Taking good care of your scalp by giving it the chance to breathe and not constricting it frequently can let your follicles have adequate blood flow. This can help to reduce your risk of losing hair due to straining the follicles which often results in stunting the growth of your hair.
- Treatments for traction alopecia involve wearing loose hairstyles and waiting for the hair that has been lost to grow back. Sometimes the hair loss caused by traction alopecia has been happening for such a prolonged period of time that the hair may need more time to allow it to grow back, however, topical solutions can aid in hair regrowth. Minoxidil is a topical treatment typically used to help promote hair growth for those with traction alopecia. Keranique has a topical Hair Regrowth Treatment which is FDA approved and contains 2% Minoxidil. It is recommended to use this product when your scalp is no longer inflamed and has already healed by ceasing the restrictive hairstyles that have brought on the condition. This hair regrowth treatment product can then be applied topically in the areas where you have experienced traction alopecia in order to promote hair growth.
Do you think you may have issues with traction alopecia? If so, you can try out these methods to see if it helps reduce potential hair loss and give your hair the time to heal and regrow. These methods often work even better when combined since you can receive the added benefits of a treatment that is multifaceted and promotes hair growth while also preventing future hair loss. Keranique offers a variety of products that help maintain the health of your hair and scalp while promoting hair growth.
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This article is not intended to treat any disease or offer a substitution for professional medical advice.
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