Traction Alopecia

Tension Hair Loss Cause and Prevention

May 28, 2008 Sarah Tennant

'Ballerina baldness', localised hair loss caused by too much tension on the roots of hair, can easily be remedied by changing your hair care routine.

Tension hair loss, or traction alopecia, is a relatively common condition for men and women which involves localised hair loss. The condition is easily treatable by altering one's hair care routine and hairstyles to eliminate excess tension on hairs.

The Cause of Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia is the technical name for tension hair loss—simply, localised hair loss caused by damage to the hairs' roots from constantly pulling hair too tight in the same direction. Traction alopecia occurs gradually, and is merely a cosmetic issue as hair around the points of pressure begins to thin. However, severer forms of traction alopecia can cause permanent localised hair loss. The condition is not a disease, and has no medical symptoms other than perhaps a headache caused the hair being pulled too tight. It is related in name only to alopecia, an autoimmune disease causing complete hair loss.

Traction alopecia has been nicknamed 'ballerina baldness', and the condition is indeed common among ballerinas who routinely scrape their hair back into a very tight bun. Those who wear hair weaves, ironically often to conceal baldness, can develop the condition due to the extra weight and the snugness of the braiding required to attach the weaves; similarly, corn rows can cause traction alopecia.

Amish women also tend to develop traction alopecia due to their unvarying hairstyle, which twists their hair back from the temples. In fact, anyone who parts his or her hair in the same place every day is likely to end up with a very mild form of traction alopecia, visible simply as larger gaps than usual between the hairs along the parting.

Preventing Traction Alopecia

The easiest way to prevent traction alopecia is simply to vary your hair style. Wearing hair in a tight style for a single day is unlikely to cause the condition. Varying tight and looser, softer hairstyles will help to prevent thinning hair, as will varying the pressure and direction in which the hair is coaxed. For example, try following a scraped-back hairstyle with a centre part the next day, then a side part, then a French braid, in order to give your roots a rest from being pulled in one direction. A headache that occurs after you change the 'direction' of your hair style can be an indication that the hairs are under stress from being pulled too tight.

Avoid using hair accessories which pull or pinch hair. Generally speaking, if any style or hair accessory hurts the scalp or causes a headache, it is too tight.

Styles that distribute the weight of your hair evenly on your head, such as braids, are very easy on your roots, and a good choice for 'resting' your hair.

Being gentle with your hair can also help to prevent traction alopecia. Overprocessed hair is weaker, being more prone to damage or snapping when pulled tight. Straightening, dyeing, curling and bleaching all reduce the tensile strength of your hair.

The copyright of the article Traction Alopecia in Hair Care is owned by Sarah Tennant. Permission to republish Traction Alopecia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Traction Alopecia around the hairline

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