Traction alopecia is a common cause of hair loss due to pulling forces exerted on the scalp hair. This excessive tension leads to breakage in the outermost hairs. This condition is seen in children and adults, but it most commonly affects African American women.
The 2 types of traction alopecia are marginal and non-marginal. Unlike trichotillomania, which is a psychiatric disorder of compulsive hair pulling that leads to patchy hair loss, traction alopecia is unintentionally induced by various hairstyling practices (use of braids, hair rollers, weaves, twists, locks, or "cornrows"). In the initial stages, this hair loss is reversible. With prolonged traction, alopecia can and will for many women be permanent. Physicians, especially dermatologists, must recognize this condition early to prevent irreversible hair loss.
Typically, traction alopecia is associated with sustained tension on the scalp hair. In theory, this phenomenon can also occur on areas of the face where hair is grown and styled. Traction causes hair to loosen from its follicular roots; however, hair loss can occur secondary to follicular inflammation and atrophy. Hair loss is often symmetric and along the front temporal hairline; with occipital (area right below the crown of your head where the bone stretches from slightly above the ear to ear region) scalp involvement being less common.
Traction alopecia tends to follow a series of progressive events. Initially, pruritus* and perifollicular erythema may be present. These may be accompanied by hyperkeratosis**, creating a seborrheic picture. Pustules and scales may form. Eventually, an abundance of broken hairs can be detected. With persistent traction, the follicles atrophy and no longer produce the typical long and coarse hair. Instead, thinner, fine, short hair is generated.
Alopecia linearis frontalis, more commonly known as marginal alopecia, is a hair-loss pattern that usually results from the use of tight curlers, rollers, or straighteners during childhood. In this condition, the distribution of hair loss follows a characteristic pattern in the temporal scalp, starting in the periauricular area and extending forward in a triangular manner. The involved area is approximately 1-3 cm in width in most cases. For example, the constant contraction of the muscles used in facial expression, in addition to the tension caused by braiding, may partially account for why this pattern is often seen in the temporal region.
This condition is most commonly seen in African American population because of the practice of styling the hair in tight braids or the use of chemical hair straighteners. An estimated three fourths of African American females straighten, braid or eave their hair; therefore, it is important for the stylist to be a State Licensed professional to ensure that the proper treatment of your hair to include the chemical and physical attributes of the hair and scalp are taken into consideration to ensure a healthy scalp which promotes healthy hair.
Ladies I know that it is a recession and times are rough, but trusting your hair to "your girlfriend, the round-the-way girl or kitchen/home stylist" without any official training is dangerous and downright foolish. Anyone can learn how to style hair but a true professional to their craft is concerned with promoting healthy hair and they are dedicated to their craft and their clients; that is why they pay for professional training and we continue to train and find ways to improve our techniques.
Let's face it...would you go to friend to have your tonsils removed simply because they say they know how to do the procedure? The way you seek out a medical physician who has the credentials is the way you should seek our your Stylist, one who has the credentials not only from the state, one who is experienced in the techniques that you are looking for.
*Pruritus - is an unpleasant that causes the desire or to scratch.
**Hyperkeratosis - thickening of the often associated with a qualitative abnormality of the keratin.
