It might be odd to believe that a nineteen year old lady is having a hair transplant, but some doctors doing hair transplant report a boost in the amount of young females seeking hair transplants, a lot of them are African-American.
A hair loss condition called Traction Alopecia is the reason for the increase. The condition is caused by damage to the hair follicle and dermal papilla by frequent tension or pulling over a long period. It usually happens in individuals who wears tight braids, particularly “cornrows” that result to breakage, pulling and high tension of hair.
The problem is most popular in African-American men and women who tightly braid their hair. It is as well common in Japanese women and Sikh men of India whose classic hair styles also damage and pull hair. Traction alopecia develops more often in young adults, teenagers and children then it does in mature men and women.
If detected early, traction alopecia is reversible, but may result in permanent hair loss if it is undiscovered for a prolonged period. Hair loss normally occurs in the temporal and frontal regions of the head, but that will also depend on the style of hair. With people who use cornrows, the most frequently affected area is the region adjacent to the braid.
Over processing of the hair can also cause traction alopecia. Treatment using chemicals like bleaches, dyes, or straighteners disturbs the keratin structure in a way that decreases its tensile strength. With combing or brushing, heavy fall out can occur and the hair can become fragile.
The use of chemical or thermal hair straightening, and hair weaving or braiding are samples of styling methods that put African-American females in danger for several “traumatic” alopecias.
Detecting it early is the key to stopping traction alopecia. If your hair style puts a strain to your hair, you should change it to a gentler hairstyle.
There is no available medical treatment to alter the late-stage of traction alopecia. The only identified practical solution is hair grafts.
