Traction Hair Loss and Trichotillomania

Overview
Traction Hair loss (alopecia) is caused by poney talls, extensions, small African braids or afro hair complements… The problem is the same for all these types of hairdressing : a strong and prolonged traction of the roots can lead to localised and irreversible hair loss.

Another cause of traction is trichotillomania. Even if the cause of the condition is very different and relates to psychiatry rather than cosmetics, the result is the same: as a consequence of being pulled, the hair falls prematurely. Eventually, once their renewal cycles are exhausted, they do not regrow and form hairless zones on the scalp.

Contents
Hair Traction
Symptoms
Localisation
Trichotillomania
Symptoms
Causes
An identical hair loss process
Treatments


Hair Traction

Symptoms
At places where the hair is constantly pulled, the hair loses its elasticity and breaks. In parallel, the traction on the roots can cause small irritations and insidious inflammation of the scalp. Gradually, the regrowths become increasingly thinner, and the hair starts to thin out on the affected zones. If the person does not react, a true alopecia can start locally.

Localisation
• For ponytails: with headbands, at the front of the forehead, of temples and ears.

• For small African braids: « cornrow », on the whole surface of the scalp, but especially at the front, where the scalp is most sensitive. The recession of the hair rooting can go up to 1, even 2 inches, in the most serious cases, especially if excessively heavy braids are added to the natural hair. See: Frizzy or Semi-Frizzy Hair Loss 

Trichotillomania

This technical term refers to a psychological condition by which one has the habit of pulling one’s hair off. In children, trichotillomania often corresponds to a simple twitch, like sucking one’s thumb or biting one’s nails. In much more serious cases, but also much more rare, it is found in adult women. It is then always the sign of a deep psychological issue.

Symptômes
In children - The child falls asleep or works while twisting and pulling his or her hair. Only one side of the scalp is generally affected: the one that is easiest to access, depending on whether the child is right or lef-handed. In clearly delimited areas, the hair is thus broken, shortened, of various lengths. Eventually, whole zones of atrophied hair get formed. For a specialist, it is easy not to confuse those zones with those caused by alopecia areata, which are totally hairless and do not show signs of pulling.

In adult women - The pulling off is generally more spread. In the most serious cases, it can look like a short and irregular brush, on the entire head. Generally, a few long locks are spared, on the side.

With children, the habit often goes away on its own. The treatment is based on becoming aware of it, as much for the parents as for the child. A few sessions with a therapist can help. For adult women, treatments are essentially psychiatry-based.

Causes
The causes are always related to affection, and apparently indicate a mixture of refrained aggressiveness and a need for tenderness. The cause would be a troubled relationship with the mother.

An identical hair loss process

Whether the cause is traction or trichotillomania, the hair loss process is the same:

• At the surface, the tension, continually caused to the hair, destroys the chains of keratin and makes the points more fragile. The hair breaks at all levels.

• Under the scalp, the roots stop holding onto their hair follicles. The hair, insufficiently irrigated by the blood stream, goes faster than it should from the growth phase to the telogen phase, and falls. Even more serious, the follicles, which are called upon more than they can handle to produce new hair, shrink and produce increasingly thinner regrowths. Then, when they have exhausted their renewal cycles, production stops.

IMPORTANT: Never forget that each individual has, in his or her genetic capital, a given number of hair cycles. It is normally sufficient to produce hair throughout one’s life. But if new cycles are continually artificially triggered, then the renewal will come to an end!

Treatments

When the hair follicles have been dead for more than 10 to 12 months, it is not possible to revive them. However, those that are just asleep can be reactivated, and made to produce regrowths again. During the In-depth Hair Diagnosis, and the examination of the scalp, the Clauderer expert will be able to analyse the percentage of follicles that can be revived, and suggest a treatment in consequence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
- Alopecia Areata
- Breaking Hair and Split Ends
- Stress and Hair Loss
- Frizzy or Semi-Frizzy Hair Loss 
- DAILY Hair Loss: What is the Norm?

FOR TREATING:
- Hair Growth and Regrowing: Where Exactly to Act?
- Clauderer Anti-Hair Loss Treatments 
- Clauderer Method of Treatment for Men
- Clauderer Method of Treatment for Women
- Clauderer Method of Treatment for Frizzy Hair
- The Clauderer Approach
- Hair Loss Treatments FAQ
- Taking Care of Breaking Hair
- Clauderer in-Depth Hair Diagnosis