Surviving Hair Loss | The Cause and Effects of Traction Alopecia

If you read my interview with KisforKinky, you'd know I have traction alopecia.  After years of relaxing, braiding, weaving and repeating the cycle over and over again,  my edges started to thin at the temples. I ignored it (or maybe I didn't even notice because I wore weaves and braids so much) that when I finally went to the dermatologist they told me it was nothing I could do to get my hair back.

What is Traction Alopecia: 

Traction alopecia is caused by pulling at the hair over a long period of time.  It most frequently occurs in our (kinky/coarse) hair, and the area most affected is the front and sides.  The use of thermal or chemical hair straightening, and hair braiding or weaving are examples of styling techniques that place kinky/coarse hair types at high risk for various "traumatic" alopecias. Cornrows, too, can cause this as well as thinning all over the scalp. The first signs are thinner and weaker hairs along the front and over the ears.

The key to stopping traction alopecia is detecting it early; if it has been going on for a long time, the hair follicles decrease in size and do not produce any more hairs. Hair styles that put unnecessary strain on the hair root must be changed for a more gentle hair style. If you suspect you may be vulnerable to traction alopecia please please please immediately to change your hair style or practices  and by all means, GO see a dermatologist NOW.

Hair transplants (or hair grafts) are an option for treating  traction alopecia. This is a surgical procedure that move individual hair follicles from one part of the body (the donor site) to bald or balding parts (the recipient site). Its said to take up to a year for the bald areas to completely fill in and the follicles work like brand new allowing hair to grow the way it does throughout the rest of your head.

As for me and my alopecia:
Contrary to what dermatologists told me, I believe I am making progress... slow, very slow... but progress none the less. I have stopped abusing my hair and now practice healthy hair care. I also massage my temples with Vitamin E oil daily to increase blood circulation in those areas. Since I know better, I do better and I will continue to teach my anyone who will listen to do better so they won't have to experience the lost of their crown and glory at such a young age.