traction alopecia is caused by braiding and weaving to tightly or to often, as even if you get your hair braided by a professional you are still at risk if you braid to often or leave the braids in for to long. traction alopecia can also be caused by pulling you hair back into tight buns or ponytails.
if you are suffering from hair loss when you braid your hair STOP immediately if you ignore it will continue and result in permanent hair loss.
traction alopecia is not the only type of hair loss,
Alopecia areata affects about one in 100 people, mostly teenagers and young adults. Symptoms include patchy hair loss. This condition is linked to a problem with the immune system. The hair follicles are not permanently damaged, and in many of these cases the hair grows back in a few months.
Telogen effluvium: general shedding and thinning of the hair. This usually occurs a few months after a shock to the system, such as extreme stress, fever, childbirth, sudden weight loss, an operation, or as a reaction to medication. The hair loss is usually temporary.
Female-pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia): women’s hair gradually thins with age but they often only lose hair from the top of the head. This usually gets more noticeable after the menopause. Androgenetic alopecia also tends to run in families.
i myself have suffered from alopecia areata so don't be alarmed if this happens the hair grows back in most cases. i have going though a difficult time an noticed hair loss on the top of my head. as i already had a shaved head i dealt with it by keeping my hair very low so it was not as noticeable. this obviously is not for everyone but don't panic more stress will just make it worse!
when i got it i thought i was very shocked i assumed hair loss was due to people who did not take care of there hair or wear tight braids ect this is not the case always it affects many of us and it is not a dirty word!
gail porter long time sufferer of alopecia
