Traction Alopecia Treatment: How to Stop Hair Loss and Regrow Hair
Repetitive tension in the hair follicles or tight hairstyles can cause Traction Alopecia.
The term Alopecia means hair loss.
Various forms of traumatic hair styling cause Traction Alopecia.
“One-third of African women who keep hairstyles like braids and dreadlocks for longer periods of time suffer from Traction Alopecia.”
National Center for Biotechnology Information
Some common hairstyles like Braided hair, tight ponytails, hair extensions, and cornrows may cause hair loss.
Applying chemicals and heating your hair can also play a significant role in Alopecia.
You can prevent Traction Alopecia if you stop pulling and damaging your hair.
However, Traction Alopecia treatment includes medicines like Tugain (Minoxidil salt), Finpecia (Finasteride salt), and supplements.
Traction alopecia treatment
If you take care of your hair properly, you might not need any treatment.
Traction Alopecia is curable, but you must start treatment as quickly as possible.
There are some medications and hair transplants that can help you to regrow your hair.
Patients can also undergo a hair transplant in case of complete hair loss.
Doctors tend to recommend two types of medications – oral or topical (applied on the skin).
Traction Alopecia treatment is possible, consult your doctor for determining the best available treatment options.
Medication
Minoxidil and Finasteride can help in promoting hair growth faster.
Both of the salts are available in different strengths.
Dermatologists can prescribe you the strength of the medicine as per the severity of your condition.
Minoxidil salt
The decreased size of hair follicles causes lesser hair growth.
Minoxidil works by increasing the size of follicles and starts faster hair growth.
Some medicinal products which contain Minoxidil are –
| Medicines (with Minoxidil) | Approx. Cost |
| Coverit 2% 60ml | $8.40 |
| Mintop Solution 2% (60 ml) | $9.20 |
| Tugain 5% 60ml | $20.54 |
| Tugain Solution 10 (60 ml) | $87.30 |
You can buy these medicines from the comfort of your home at WowRx.
Finasteride salt
Finasteride works by preventing Testosterone (a sex hormone) from converting into another hormone known as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
DHT can prevent your hair from growing. And in some cases even cause your prostate to expand.
Finasteride blocks DHT production, which helps in promoting hair growth and prostate reduction.
Some of the medicine containing Finasteride are –
| Medicines (with Finasteride) | Approx. Cost |
| Finpecia 1mg | $6.27 |
| Finalo 1mg | $19.00 |
Hair transplant
“Two types of hair transplants are best for Traction Alopecia condition,” says Ife J. Rodney, MD, FAAD.
Follicular Unit Transplant (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) are best suited for this hair loss.
In Follicular Unit Transplant, the surgeon takes a strip of skin having healthy hair follicles.
This donor site is commonly the back of the head, above the ear, or the part of the scalp having good hair density.
The surgeon uses a local anesthetic to remove the skin so the patient doesn’t feel any pain.
The sample is then separated into 1000 to 2000 individual hair follicles.
In Follicular Unit Extraction, the donor site is shaved.
Then the follicles are extracted and transplanted to the area having damaged hair follicles.
FUE doesn’t include any cutting of the scalp.
This surgical process can take longer time than FUT but has many advantages, including less pain and fewer side effects.
Traction alopecia treatment at home
Traction alopecia can be stopped and you can regrow hair naturally.
Some home therapies patients can start doing are as follows:
Hot oil treatment
Applying warm oil to the scalp can help moisturize the hair and promote new growth.
Coconut oil, castor oil, and olive oil are good options for moisturizing hair.
Herbal remedies
According to some studies, herbs like saw palmetto, green tea, and ginseng promote hair growth.
You can prepare tea using these herbs and apply it to your scalp or drink it as a supplement for hair growth.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin B7 (Biotin), zinc, and iron are essential for healthy hair growth.
A balanced diet, including all these nutrients, can help promote hair growth.
Scalp protection
To prevent further hair loss, this is very important to protect your scalp from accidental pulls and damage.
You can use a satin or silk pillowcase to protect your hair while sleeping.
Prevention
Keep your ponytail and buns loose and low on your head to prevent Traction alopecia.
Moreover, some other ways to avoid Traction alopecia are:
- Keep changing your hairstyle after a couple of days
- Don’t use rubber or elastic bands to hold your ponytail. These bands can pull your hair out
- Avoid using chemicals if you braid your hair. Chemicals can make your hair weak, and your hair can break easily
- Use hair dryers and straighteners at low-temperature settings. If possible, avoid using such appliances
- While using a wig, choose the one with a satin wig cap, as it is soft
- Do not use hair relaxers (chemical straighteners)
You can see natural hair regrowth. If you follow these precautions in the early stages of Traction alopecia.
Conclusion
Traction Alopecia is a type of hair loss experienced because of the constant tension on the hair follicles.
Avoid specific hairstyles like dreadlocks and braids to minimize hair thinning and falling.
You can also limit the use of hair dryers and straighteners to prevent hair loss.
However, a dermatologist may recommend topical or oral medicines to help promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
In some extreme cases, surgery may be essential to repair the damages caused by Traction Alopecia.
Get a prescription from your doctor for treatment according to the severity of hair loss.
You can also explore other vitamins and supplements for hair growth.
Many medicines which can help you with hair loss are listed on WowRx at the best discounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to treat Traction alopecia?
Prevention is the best method for Traction Alopecia treatment. But for moderate Traction Alopecia, doctors can recommend oral or topical medicines. For severe cases, dermatologists opt for hair transplantation.
How to avoid Traction alopecia?
Traction alopecia can be avoided by having a loose hairstyle. Stay away from hairstyles like dreadlocks, braids, and tight buns which pull your hair back.
Can you regrow hair from Traction alopecia?
Traction alopecia is reversible if it is treated in the early stage. If you stop having tight hairstyles, your hair will start regrowing normally. If you continue styling your hair, there can be permanent hair loss.
Can coconut oil help in Traction alopecia?
Yes, coconut oil is a natural Traction Alopecia treatment. Massage your scalp with warm coconut oil for 5 to 10 minutes. You can quickly feel relieved from symptoms like itching, pain, and scalp redness.
