Traction alopecia occurs due to excessive tension on hair follicles, which cause the hair follicles to break, and if sustained, tension permanent loss of hair. Traction hair loss most often occurs over the frontal temporal scalp of women, although men that braid their hair, wear extensions, or wear a tight pony tail, can suffer from traction alopecia as well. Common contributing factors include excessive heat applied to hair follicles, excessive chemicals, and tension through extensions and hair styling.
If caught early, traction alopecia is often reversible by reducing the amount of heat, chemical, or tension to the follicles. In addition, anti-inflammatory injections into the skin over several months can often restore the growth of hair follicles.
For patients that have long term loss or who do not respond to any medical therapy, hair transplantation can be a highly effective treatment option. Transplantation, by removing hair from the back of the patients scalp into the areas of thinning of the frontal temporal scalp, can help restore natural frame around the patient’s face.
A typical cosmetic goal of a patient is to be able to wear their hair back in a pony tail without being self-conscious of having a high or recessed hairline. The typical patient needs two procedures in order to help recreate a natural hairline through transplantation.
