Traction Alopecia: A Harsh Reality for One-Third of African American Women

A condition called traction alopecia affects up to one- third of adult females and it is very common among African American women. What is it? A form of hair loss caused largely by the tight force applied to the hair from ponytails, pigtails, or braids. When tension at the hair root occurs it causes damage to the follicle and results in hair loss.

Traction alopecia effects a large amount of African American women.

The fact is that some hairstyles intended to improve your looks is actually leading to hair loss and scalp damage. Several hair styles linked with hair loss include extensions, weaves, dreadlocks, braids and ponytails; particularly if performed on chemically straightened hair.

It is possible to prevent, treat and even reverse traction alopecia when it is dealt with early on, though the condition is often not brought to the attention of professionals until it is fairly advanced.

In cases of permanent hair loss, many turn to a proven hair restoration process known as follicular unit extraction or (FUE). This innovative procedure involves extracting your own hair and hair follicle from areas usually near the lower back/neck. These units are then transplanted into the balding areas where they take root and grow healthy hair in as few as nine months.

The FUE process offers many advantages such as:

  • Little or no restrictions of activity following treatment
  • Go back to work in just a few days
  • No scarring even when hair is worn short
  • No feeling of numbness
  • Requires no stitches or staples
  • Very low risk of complications

If your hair loss from traction alopecia results in the need for hair restoration, it’s good to know you can get completely natural results within a short period of time with a proven procedure.