Unlike other types of hair loss condition, particularly ones that are hereditary, traction alopecia can affect anyone. It is caused by excessive strain or tension being inflicted on the scalp over a long period of time.
Traction alopecia is a gradual hair loss condition, where the hair starts to thin, recede or fall out in response to a continual pulling force applied to the hair. Therefore, it mainly affects people who opt to wear their hair in styles which put excessive tension on the scalp. This means that you could be at risk if you regularly wear:
• Tight ponytails or pigtails
• Braids
• Hair extensions
• Weaves
Hair weaves
Hair weaves present the biggest risk of the wearer developing traction alopecia, especially as the style is becoming more and more popular. The tight braiding and close-fitting hairpieces involved in getting and maintaining a weave can cause the hair to thin and even fall out. Ironically, weaves are often worn to cover existing hair loss.
A number of models and actors regularly wear hair weaves, as well as sporting all kinds of different hair styles, as part of their jobs, which makes the chance that they may suffer from traction alopecia all the more likely.