Traction alopecia: The great unknown that affects especially women with ponytails or buns

The It’s not just a men’s thing. Hair loss in women, although it is invisible, is a reality.

Female alopecia is characterized by affecting the most visible areas of the scalp, such as the top and front, and which stands out for thinning and loss of density that weakens the hair.

But when should we be alarmed? According to dermatology experts, a healthy person can lose between 80 and 100 hairs daily.

And this, despite what many people may believe, is totally normal.

There are even times, such as during autumn or spring, in which this loss amounts to 400 units. And that should not alarm us nor should it be a reason to consult a specialist.

But although the most common female alopecia is androgenic, that is to say, it is caused by genetic and multifactorial factors, and fibrosing frontal, which causes the hairline to be gradually further back, it is not the only type that affects women.

Traction alopecia is unknown, but unfortunately, it affects more and more people. And, above all, it is in our hands to avoid it.

Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that affects 2% of the world population freepik

We are talking about an alopecia that is produced by intense and prolonged stretching over time. It is due, therefore, to the very tight buns that collect all the hair, or the pigtails, such as professional dancers, who are forced to wear this hairstyle from an early age.

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As the Dr. Cristina de Hoyos Alonsofrom the Fundación Piel Sana de la (AEDV), “is widespread among the black population” due to its tendency to have tight hairstyles using tiny braids.

Traction alopecia: does it have a solution?

This alopecia, which occurs after wearing the same hairstyle for many years, such as pigtails or very tight bows (if it is worn occasionally, it should not cause any problems) mainly affects the lateral areas of the head.

Patients, since it mainly affects the female population, although more and more men, begin to notice how the hair is weakening, which, inevitably, causes the frontal line to be more and more behind.

The specialist indicates that “lost hair will not recover”, but it is important to point out that it is a pathology that is limited to the affected area and will not progress to other parts of the head.

Also, it’s not all bad news. Because you can improve physical appearance by resorting to drugs.

Vasodilator drugs are indicated for alopecia and stimulate hair growth while slowing down baldness.

You can also resort to a , which consists of relocating the patient’s hair, which is extracted from the back or side of the head, to place them in the area where they are needed.

90% of alopecia cases are of androgenic origin. ShutterStock

However, whatever the treatment chosen, always under the recommendation and supervision of a dermatologist, the traction that has caused the loss of capillary density cannot be subjected to that affected area again.

When should we go to the doctor?

As we have already mentioned, there are certain times when hair loss is common. But we must take into account some aspects that should make us go to a specialist to prevent it from going further. When there is:

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  • Loss of hair on the eyebrows or eyelashes.

  • Circular bald spots in different areas of the scalp (if due to the use of bows or ponytails on the sides).

  • Itching in the area where more density is noted.

  • If in the area where hair is being lost there is redness or inflammation around the follicles.