Traction Alopecia
June 2023
in “
JAMA dermatology
”
TLDR Tight hairstyles can cause hair loss, which can be permanent if not treated early.
Traction alopecia is hair loss caused by prolonged tension from hairstyles like tight braids and buns, commonly affecting women of African descent. Early stages are reversible, but long-term tension can lead to permanent scarring. Symptoms include tenderness and acne-like bumps. Diagnosis is typically clinical, sometimes using a dermatoscope or skin biopsy. Prevention involves stopping tension-related hairstyles early. Treatments include topical and injected corticosteroids, antibiotics, and minoxidil, but severe cases may require hair transplant surgery. There are no FDA-approved treatments for traction alopecia.
