How to Treat Traction Alopecia: Remedies (2024)

When it comes to hair loss, we’re often at the mercy of our genetics and/or hormonal changes. However, these aren’t the only causes of hair loss. One type of hair loss, traction alopecia, is actually fully in our control, and is the result of tension on our hair and scalp. And thankfully, there are ways to treat traction alopecia and even reverse it. Hair loss can take a huge hit to our self confidence, but it’s extremely common and doesn’t have to last forever! Here, we tapped a top hair loss specialist/hair transplant surgeon for expert advice on what exactly traction alopecia is and some traction alopecia remedies that can help treat this type of hair loss.

What is traction alopecia and what causes it?

Unlike other major types of alopecia caused by genetic factors, traction alopecia refers to hair loss that’s caused by ongoing, repeated pulling on the hair. “It’s essentially hair loss that happens due to consistent pulling or tension on the hair over time. When [hair] follicles are subjected to that constant stress, they become damaged, leading to thinning or even permanent hair loss, particularly along the hairline and temples,” explains Ross Kopelman, DO, hair transplant surgeon in New York City at Kopelman Hair Restoration. He tells us he sees this type of hair loss quite often in his practice.

One of the most common causes of traction alopecia is wearing tight hairstyles, says Dr. Kopelman, such as a ponytail, bun, braids or hair extensions, which slowly begin to weigh on your follicles over an extended period of time, eroding them in the process.

While you probably already know how damaging hot tools can be to our hair causing breakage and dryness, you may not know that it can contribute to traction alopecia. Tugging on your hair when using a straightener or blow dryer regularly can weaken hair follicles over time, and the high heat from those tools can cause additional strain on your strands.

Can aging cause traction alopecia?

As we age, it’s common to notice changes to our hair, whether our hair’s integrity and structure, strength, texture or thickness. But can aging contribute to traction alopecia?

According to Dr. Kopelman, aging doesn’t directly cause traction alopecia, however, it can make symptoms/the diagnosis worse. “As we age, our hair naturally becomes thinner and more fragile, so it’s more vulnerable to damage from tension. Hormonal changes during aging can also make hair weaker, making the effects of tight hairstyles even more pronounced.”

What are the symptoms of traction alopecia?

Women with traction alopecia don’t often lose chunks of hair or develop baldness like they do with other conditions. Rather, most of the hair loss takes place along the hair line or temples.

In addition to seeing a receding or uneven hairline over time, those with the condition may also notice pimple-like bumps forming where the hair meets the scalp, as well as redness, itching, scaling and follicle inflammation in the same area. Individual hair strands might start to break off unevenly due to the strain, too.

@dermguru

This is why dermatologists are not fans of tight hairstyles 😬 Traction alopecia is all too common. SO to @Dr. Scott Walter for inspo for this trend! #DermGuru #HairLoss #ItsMe #itsmehiimtheproblemitsme #TractionAlopecia #HairLossCauses

♬ Anti-Hero – Taylor Swift

Traction alopecia remedy: How to treat this type of hair loss

Thankfully, you can can reverse early signs of traction alopecia, says Dr. Kopelman. “The good news is, if we catch it early, there’s a lot we can do to help,” he says.

One way to prevent traction alopecia from occurring in the first place is wearing your hair down more or in styles that aren’t tugging on the hair follicles if you need to keep it out of your face, like a very loose braid, or low, loose pony. “When I treat traction alopecia, my first priority is to have the patient stop any practices that are pulling on their hair,” Dr. Kopelman advises. You can also improve the health of your follicles by using heat products less often, not wearing rollers at night and avoiding chemical processing on the hair, like relaxers. Essentially, the less you fuss with your hair over time, the better!

If you’ve already begun experiencing hair loss or hair thinning from traction alopecia, don’t fret—there are treatments available to help.

Traction alopecia remedy: Mesotherapy with dutasteride or minoxidil

“This is a highly effective treatment I often use for traction alopecia,” recommends Dr. Kopelman. “By injecting minoxidil or dutasteride directly into the scalp, we stimulate hair growth right at the follicle, which helps promote regrowth and strengthen thinning hair.” Mesotherapy is a non-invasive procedure, and involves injections into the skin or scalp.

Minoxidil has been known for years to help with many different types of hair loss, so it’s no surprising it’s part of Dr. Kopelman’s preferred treatments for traction alopecia. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of mesotherapy, you can apply topical minoxidil treatments, like Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Foam, to help regrow hair.

Traction alopecia remedy: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

PRP therapy has become increasingly popular overtime, and is used by my doctors and hair loss specialists today. “This is another great option,” says Dr. Kopelman. “PRP involves injecting a concentrated solution of your own platelets into the scalp. It helps to jumpstart the follicles, leading to thicker, stronger hair over time.”

@skinbydrazi

PRP for #hair #didyouknow #hairlossremedy #hairloss #prp #skinbydrazi

♬ LITTLE MO’ BETTA – David Davis

Traction alopecia remedy: Oral medications

If you suffer from hair loss or thinning more spread out across your scalp, oral medication may be your best option. “For more widespread thinning, I often recommend oral treatments like finasteride or dutasteride. These medications work by blocking DHT [Dihydrotestosterone], a hormone that contributes to hair loss,” Dr. Kopelman tells us.

While minoxidil is typically used topically, there are oral minoxidil medications out there that can help, says Dr. Kopelman. “Recently, oral minoxidil has also gained popularity as a treatment for hair thinning, and it’s something I prescribe often, especially when topical treatments aren’t enough.”

Traction alopecia remedy: Hair transplant surgery

There are cases where there’s been enough tension and stress on hair fibers that hair loss from traction alopecia has become permanent. In these cases, you may consider hair transplant surgery. “In cases where there’s been permanent hair loss, hair transplant surgery is one of the best solutions. We can restore a natural-looking hairline and add density to the areas affected by traction alopecia,” affirms Dr. Kopelman. “I’ve found that patients who undergo hair transplants for this condition often experience great results, especially when combined with other treatments to maintain their hair health.”

Traction alopecia remedy: Laser therapy

Another option is laser therapy, which has become a highly popular treatment in the skin care and hair care world. Dr. Kopelman specifically recommends low-level laser therapy (LLLT): “This non-invasive treatment uses light therapy to stimulate hair growth. It’s a helpful option, particularly for patients in the early stages of traction alopecia, and can be done in conjunction with other therapies to maximize results.”

@millennialrx

Low Level Laser Therapy for Hair Loss with iRestore #hairloss #hair #pharmacy #pharmacist #alopecia #irestore #doctor #trending #fyp #millennialrx

♬ Monkeys Spinning Monkeys – Kevin MacLeod & Kevin The Monkey

Traction alopecia remedy: Natural treatments for traction alopecia

If you want to start off with a natural hair loss treatment to treat your traction alopecia, Dr. Kopelman recommends using rosemary oil or peppermint oil, which have been proven to help with hair growth. “For topical treatments, I like recommending products containing rosemary oil or peppermint oil, which have been shown to improve scalp circulation and encourage hair growth,” he says.

Also, using a scalp massager can help stimulate that hair growth, Dr. Kopelman tell us. “Incorporating a gentle scalp massager into your routine can also be beneficial to increase blood flow and promote healthy hair growth.”

On top of all of these traction alopecia treatments, there are a few lifestyle changes you can make to strengthen your hair follicles and prevent hair loss, like eating a diet full of healthy fats and B vitamins or regularly using an apple cider vinegar rinse.