What is Traction Alopecia?
There are many causes of hair loss, including medications, thyroid disease, iron deficiency and even pregnancy. Most of these result in temporary hair loss–the hair eventually grows back. Some types of hair loss, however, are permanent; this is called scarring, or cicatrical alopecia. A common scarring hair loss in women is traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that can be prevented if caught early but is often permanent after it develops. Traction alopecia develops when hair is pulled tightly for long periods of time. This occurs when women, and sometimes men, wear their hair in tight buns or in braids. The hair loss occurs in areas where the hair is pulled the tightest, usually the forehead and temples. It can be subtle at first, but becomes apparent over years as the hair line recedes from ear to ear starting farther and farther back on the head.
