Preventing Traction Alopecia, Let’s Help You

There’s a popular and witty description people give of their hairline. It isn’t only fascinating; it is also true. People call the hairline “baby hairs” because it has some of the most fragile hairs.

Like this isn’t enough indication to treat the hairline gently and carefully, people go on to do heavy-handed hairstyles. You’ll see people braiding, weaving, brushing the daylight out of the hair, flat-ironing the hair into submission, and several other aggressive actions which expose the hair to traction alopecia.

Are you familiar with this condition? If you’re not, this article will be highly beneficial to you. But, first, let’s look at what the condition is and how best to prevent it.

What is the Dreadful Condition Called Traction Alopecia?

Traction Alopecia is a hair loss resulting from the prolonged and highly intense pulling of the hair. It can be seen at any part of the hair where there’s prolonged stress, but it’s mostly seen around the hairlines. This hair loss is prevalent amongst men and women with several styling techniques and styles that mounts pressure on the hair.

Apart from these, several other habits cause traction alopecia. These habits include wearing tight gears on the head and tight ponytails, amongst others. Routinely having a healthy styling method or reliance on protective styles may not be enough to steer clear of traction alopecia. The point is to avoid a repetitive hairdo that’ll pressurize your infant hair follicles.

If you constantly make any of these aggressive hairdos, you commit a styling sin. As funny as it may seem, it’s a sin because you’re doing your hair so much disservice, and if care isn’t taken, the effect might be irreversible. However, there are different early signs to look out for to avoid traction alopecia and protect the “baby hairs.”

Is Traction Alopecia A Permanent Condition?

Traction alopecia becomes permanent if you disregard the early signs it gives. These signs can go from mild to worse in a short period. So, you should learn about it.

Some Dodgy Symptoms of Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia doesn’t happen all of a sudden. It takes a tad bit of time before you can notice. Noting the symptoms and taking steps to prevent them is good. But if you ignore it, you might be in for a sudden hair loss which might damage your appearance and hurt your self-esteem.

Usually, the first sign you notice is a mild itching around the hairline. Over a period, this itching intensifies, the area becomes sore, resulting in bumps. These bumps break up and bring out pus if care isn’t taken.

Secondly, the shape of the hair is affected, and before one notices it, the hair starts to recede gradually. That is difficult to identify on time unless you pay very close attention to it. People usually notice when the recession is almost at its final stages.

Another red flag to look out for is hair thinning which might be seen around the side of the head and the frontals. Similarly, there’s a change in the hair texture. Formerly thick hair loses its thickness and strength. Other symptoms include broken hairs around the spot, blisters on the scalp, balding, scarring of the spots.

So, no matter how subtle these changes might present themselves, you have to take note of each of them and act accordingly.

What Should You Do When You See These Symptoms?

If you’re lucky enough to discover these symptoms on time, then you have a good chance of dealing with traction alopecia. In other words, traction alopecia can be reversed if there’s a timely discovery and treatment. As a result, the first thing to do when you see any of the symptoms mentioned above is to prevent it from going from bad to worse.

How do you do this? Firstly, you stay away from styling habits that negatively affect the hair follicles. If you must carry out any of these styling habits, it mustn’t be repetitive or prolonged. Also, when you remove these styles, ensure you have a proper hair cleaning and avoid subsequent strain on the hairline.

As soon as these tight hairstyles are stopped, you can regrow your hair with topical treatment like Minoxidil. It’s effective at rejuvenating aging hair or hair loss to traction alopecia. You don’t have to wait for Minoxidil prescriptions if you care for your hair. It’s something you must constantly have in your hair care kit.

Another viable treatment option is to get a low-dose injection from your dermatologist. This dose will counteract all inflammatory activity around the hair. Once inflammation is dealt with, every other hair rejuvenation care can combine to show the right result.

Preventing Traction Alopecia

Any moment you feel the need to pop painkiller pills due to a particular hairstyle or constantly tap your area of the head to soothe hair itching,  then you should know traction alopecia is knocking on your hair door. Instead of treating it, preventing the condition is much more affordable and stress-free. And that’s good news about traction alopecia – it can be prevented.

No matter the hairstyle you make, the basic key to preventing this dreadful condition is to diversify styling methods. Most long-term damage to the hair follicles can be avoided if this is done. For example, if you have to wear an intense hairstyle like braids, always use knotless braids, which reduce pressure on the hair follicles.

Additionally, there must be a limit to the application of chemical products on the hair. These chemicals can damage and weaken the hair. That is why most people suggest natural products for hair care.

Final Words

It’s safer and more affordable to prevent traction alopecia instead of endangering the hair while believing it can be treated at any time. In addition, if something requires treatment, it means there’s a slight alteration to the way it used to be. So, instead of altering your hair’s original look, please stay away from hairstyles that expose it to traction alopecia.