TLDR Changing hairstyles can help hair regrow in children with hair loss from tight braids or ponytails.
The study on braids or pony-tail-associated traction alopecia (BPTA) in 24 female children, with an average age of 5.92 years, found that hairless patches were mostly near the parting lines of the scalp, with a mean disease duration of 1.2 months. Spontaneous hair regrowth occurred within 1.5 months after changing the hairstyle. Dermoscopic findings, such as black dots, broken hairs, and split ends, were key indicators of BPTA, helping to distinguish it from alopecia areata (AA). Misdiagnosis with AA happened in 37.5% of cases, leading to unnecessary treatments. The study highlighted the importance of recognizing hairstyle history and using dermoscopy for accurate diagnosis and management of BPTA.
Cited in this study
6 / 6 results
52 citations
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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.
96 citations
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January 2013 in “International Journal of Trichology” Trichoscopy is a useful, non-invasive way to diagnose different types of hair loss.
178 citations
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December 2011 in “Journal of Dermatological Case Reports” Trichoscopy is a useful tool for diagnosing different hair and scalp diseases by their unique visual features.
94 citations
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September 2008 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology” Traction alopecia is more common in African women than girls, especially when traction is applied to chemically relaxed hair; avoiding such hairstyles may reduce the risk.
196 citations
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June 2008 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Dermoscopy helps diagnose and manage alopecia areata by showing specific hair changes.
44 citations
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August 2005 in “Aesthetic Plastic Surgery” Hair transplantation successfully treated a woman's hair loss caused by a tight ponytail.
