Factors Associated With Traction Alopecia in Women Living in Yaoundé, Cameroon

November 2023 in “ BMC women's health ”

Letitia Fiona Mbussuh Nzeng, Georges Nguefack-Tsagué, Dahlia Noëlle Tounouga, M.M. Soumah, Franck Albert Armand Mbang, Odette Berline Sigha, Grâce Anita Nkoro, Rose Kotto, Emmanuel Armand Kouotou

traction alopecia hairdressing nets caps head ties relaxing hair TA

TLDR Older age and specific haircare practices increase the risk of traction alopecia, and education on these factors could help prevent it.

The study analyzed 223 women in Yaoundé, Cameroon, 77 of whom had traction alopecia (TA). It found that women over 35 years old were 4 times more likely to have TA. Hairdressing done only by professionals, avoiding regular use of nets, caps, and head ties, and relaxing hair once a year or less were protective factors against TA. The study concluded that age and certain haircare practices are associated with TA, suggesting the need for education on these factors to prevent or manage TA.

View this study on bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research Histopathology of Aging of the Hair Follicle

31 citations , April 2019 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

Hair becomes gray and thin as we age, and while most hair loss in older people is due to genetics, there's a chance for gray hair to regain color under certain conditions.

research The Medical and Psychosocial Associations of Alopecia: Recognizing Hair Loss as More Than a Cosmetic Concern

36 citations , November 2018 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

Alopecia is linked to various health and mental conditions, impacts life quality, and needs medical attention beyond its cosmetic effects.

research Cicatricial Alopecia: Overview and Treatment Recommendations

23 citations , April 2018 in “Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft”

Permanent hair loss from cicatricial alopecia is treated by reducing inflammation and managing symptoms, but regrowth in scarred areas is unlikely.

research Traction Alopecia: The Root of the Problem

60 citations , April 2018 in “Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dermatology”

Tight hairstyles and chemical relaxers can cause hair loss known as traction alopecia.

research Hair and Aging

November 2016 in “PubMed”

Hair becomes thinner, grayer, and may fall out more as people get older, and styling habits can worsen these effects.

research All Hairstyles Are Not Created Equal: What the Dermatologist Needs to Know About Black Hairstyling Practices and the Risk of Traction Alopecia

52 citations , September 2016 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Certain black hairstyling practices increase the risk of traction alopecia, requiring better management and education.

research Black Women's Hair: The Main Scalp Dermatoses and Aesthetic Practices in Women of African Ethnicity

32 citations , August 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia”

Black women's unique hair characteristics and styling practices can lead to specific scalp conditions, which require early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

research Hair Breakage in Patients of African Descent: Role of Dermoscopy

12 citations , January 2015 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Dermoscopy helps quickly identify hair breakage in people of African descent.

research Traction Alopecia: Prevention and Treatment

30 citations , April 2014 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Tight hairstyles, especially on chemically treated hair, can cause reversible hair loss if caught early but may become permanent if not addressed.

1 / 1 results

research Quantitative Analysis of the Anatomical Changes in the Scalp and Hair Follicles in Androgenetic Alopecia Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging

2 citations , January 2021 in “Skin Research and Technology”

MRI reveals thinner scalps and smaller hair follicles in people with androgenetic alopecia.