Traction alopecia: hair loss caused by tightly styled hairstyles
Do you often wear tight tails, braids or dreadlocks? And do you notice that lately you experience more hair loss around the hairline? Then there is a chance you are suffering from traction alopecia, literally translated as 'hair loss by pulling'.
Traction alopecia: hair loss caused by tightly styled hairstyles
Traction alopecia: hair loss caused by tightly styled hairstyles
Do you often wear tight tails, braids or dreadlocks? And do you notice that lately you experience more hair loss around the hairline? Then there is a chance you are suffering from traction alopecia, literally translated as 'hair loss by pulling'.
As indicated, traction alopecia (also known as mechanical alopecia) is caused by too much tension on the hair. This tension is caused, for example, by wearing tails or braids that are too tight, or when you have dreadlocks. Hair loss can also occur when extensions are put on too tightly, or you leave them on too long.
Chemical hair relaxation (a method in which hair is chemically styled) is also a well-known cause of this type of hair loss. Especially for women with frizzy hair, this is a well-known styling method. A third of women with frizzy hair therefore struggle with traction alopecia.
When tails, braids, dreadlocks or extensions are too tight, the hair roots experience a lot of tension. If this tension persists for an extended period of time, blood flow to the hair follicles deteriorates. This damages the hair roots, causing your hair to fall out permanently.
The symptoms of traction alopecia
This form of hair loss often occurs initially around the hairline. So the balding spots you will initially see are mainly at your neck, above your ears and at the hairline of your forehead. Before this hair loss occurs, you might already recognise the tension on the hairs. If you suffer from bumps around the hairline, this is a sign that your hair is tied too tightly, causing inflamed hair follicles.
If you have a ponytail in and after a while you get scalp pain, this is a very clear sign that your ponytail is too tight. Act immediately, then, to prevent damage to the hair roots.
Prevent traction alopecia
Since the hair loss in traction alopecia is permanent in most cases, the only real solution to this is to prevent the hair loss. For this, there is only one way: make sure your hair is under less tension. If you tie your hair in a ponytail or braids, leave just a little space so that the blood flow to your hair follicles remains intact. If you have dreadlocks or extensions put in, ask the person putting them in to make sure they don't do it too tight.
Traction alopecia vs. alopecia areata
Often, traction alopecia is confused with alopecia areata, as this also involves patchy baldness. However, this is a completely different type of hair loss. In fact, alopecia areata is a hair disease in which completely bald patches appear on the head, where (usually) hair can still grow back. Read more aboutalopecia areata.
Traction alopecia, on the other hand, is not a hair disease, but a form of hair loss caused by an external factor: too much tension. So by removing this tension, you can prevent this type of hair loss yourself. Unlike alopecia areata, this form of hair loss is irreversible. So the chances of you being able to regain the lost hair are unfortunately slim.
Advice personalized to your hair needs
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You can use hair growth products to combat traction alopecia. However, in about four in 10 patients who try a hair growth product, some hairs regrow after three to six months. Therefore, we do not dare to say with 100% certainty that the products below are going to lead to a desired result. We recommend the following products for the most chance of hair regrowth in traction alopecia.
Shampoo and conditioner
A hair growth-stimulating shampoo ensures a healthy scalp and stimulates hair growth. It makes your hair stronger and thicker. Our shampoos contain only mild, high-quality ingredients.
For this type of hair loss, we recommend Neofollics shampoo. Use the accompanying conditioner to optimally nourish and care for your hair. This conditioner also contains ingredients that stimulate hair growth and helps if your hair feels dry after shampooing.
Contains 1% Piroctone olamine, also effective against dandruff
seven powerful plant extracts including Ecklonia cava and Raspberry ketone
the hair growth molecules Caffeine and Niacinamide
Argan oil and Cinnamon oil to care for the scalp and hair
Contains many high-quality ingredients in a high dosage, making this a rich, conditioning conditioner.
The conditioner nourishes the hair, cares for the scalp and thus provides healthier, stronger and shinier hair.
In addition, the conditioner has a hair growth stimulating effect.
Apply Neofollics' lotion twice a day to the thinning areas on your scalp. This provides targeted treatment for thinning hair. The lotion absorbs quickly and leaves no residue.
Neofollics lotion contains a high concentration of 10 proven active ingredients combined in the Neoxyl hair growth complex.
Hair growth molecules Adenosine, Vividine and Aminexil
Six powerful plant extracts including Ecklonia cava and Raspberry ketone
Peptides that improve scalp blood flow and inhibit inflammation
Our supplements contain ingredients that inhibit hair loss and stimulate hair growth, along with important vitamins and minerals. We recommend Neofollics tablets for healthy hair growth from the inside out.
If you find that the affected areas are increasingly visible to yourself and those around you, you can also camouflage these balding areas as a temporary solution. By using camouflage products in your hair colour, you can then make sure that these spots are less or even no longer visible.
Hair fibers consist of keratin that binds to thinning, fine hairs via static electricity.
In an instant, hair appears thicker and thinner areas on the scalp are camouflaged.
The effect of hair fibers is natural and invisible to other people around you.
Hair fibres are natural keratin-based fibres that attach themselves to your hair. This makes your hair appear optically fuller, and covers any bald or thin spots. This form of camouflage would be particularly suitable in cases of mild traction alopecia, where there are still hairs to which the fibres can attach.
The hair fibers and thickening pomade provide fuller, thicker-looking hair all day long.
The fibers are completely wind and rain resistant.
7 different colors to match your own hair color.
Completely vegan.