Traction Alopecia can be so embarrassing and it is commonly found amongst African / Black women. Most women don’t know what the cause and they believe it is normal for them to have it. Some of us wear wigs to cover it up but it won’t solve the problem. Everyone knows the popular Super Model Naomi Campbell suffered Alopecia and there are so many Nigerian ‘Naomi Campbell’ suffering from this. I will only share reasons/causes and how to avoid hair loss from alopecia.
Unfortunately, no medical treatment is available to reverse late-stage Traction Alopecia, and expensive hair grafts have been identified as the only practical solution.
How to Avoid Hair Loss from Traction Alopecia
Some types of hair loss are unavoidable, and there is little that can be done to pre-emptively prevent them from occurring. However, there is one form of hair loss which is entirely preventable: Traction Alopecia.
This hair loss condition is caused by excessive tension and pulling of the hair, usually as a result of certain hairstyling habits. Look at some ways to prevent Traction Alopecia from occurring and if you have it, you can stop applying some chemicals to your hair or you change your hair style.
- Don’t wear overly tight hairstyles. Ponytails, braids and cornrows are all common causes of Traction Alopecia. These types of hairstyles apply constant tension to hair which can result in damage over time. By changing your hairstyle to one which is a little more follicle-friendly, or even just being mindful of how tightly you style your hair, you can take a significant step towards preventing hair loss caused by Traction Alopecia.
- Don’t use hair extensions. Pulling and tension on the hair can also be caused by excess weight being carried by the hair. Hair extensions add a significant amount of weight to your own hair, which in effect constantly pulls on it, damaging the hair strands and even the follicle. The glue used to bind some hair extensions to natural hair can also result in damage.
- Avoid frequently colouring your hair. Regular use of hair colouring treatments can prove damaging for hair. The chemicals and bleaches used in hair dyes drain moisture out of the hair, leaving it dry, brittle and prone to breakage.
- Change your styling methods. Heated styling methods such as hair straighteners and curlers can significantly contribute towards Traction Alopecia. The extreme heat that hair is subjected to during such styling methods has a damaging effect, particularly when used frequently.
- Go natural, at least sometimes. The best thing you can do to prevent Traction Alopecia from occurring is to wear your hair naturally. If this is not possible or desirable all the time, then you may benefit from at least leaving your hair to its natural devices from time to time. This will give your hair a chance to recover and repair itself.
If you know any hair loss specialist / dermatologist who can solve this problem amongst women, don’t hesitate to help a sister.