Fads and styles come and go. I myself have been on new hairstyle bandwagons, the African micro braiding was neat & convenient but when worn too long, it pulled out my edges and I would find whole braids lying around the house with my hair still attached, YIKES ! The Egyptian blow drying started out bouncy and fluffy but the heat was too much for relaxed hair and even virgin hair after a while of blow drying would become dull and lifeless, breakage would occur and what remained was dry and brittle
{ SIGH } We will always find a way to achieve that desired look; the down side is that over time, the long term results is damaged hair and more so a damaged scalp and hair follicles.
Wikipedia states Traction alopecia is a form of gradual hair loss, caused primarily by pulling force being applied to the hair. This commonly results from the sufferer frequently wearing their hair in a particularly tight ponytail, pigtails, or braids. It is also seen occasionally in long-haired people who use barrettes to keep hair out of their faces. Traction alopecia is recession of the hairline due to chronic traction, or hair pulling, and is characterized by a fringe along the marginal hairline on.
According to dermnet.com the treatment of traction alopecia is only successful if the cause of the alopecia is recognized early enough and the patient is willing to discontinue the styling practice causing the traction. Many patients have difficulty accepting this diagnosis, stating that they (or their friends or family) have used this same hair practice over many years and have not had hair loss in the past. The second difficulty is finding an alternative hair style that will not cause traction. Most of the accepted hair styles employed by African American women involve some type of chronic traction. The only styles that do not cause traction are the natural, also known as the short Afro, twists, and short locks or dreadlocks. Loosely applied short extension braids may also cause minimal traction for those patients refusing to wear these other natural styles. Wigs or scarves may also provide for periods of rest from styles causing traction.
I myself have had some success when servicing clients with reversible traction alopecia. I perform a scalp analysis and incorporate hair creams, routine healthy hair maintenance and care in conjunction with stylish wigs and hairpieces to preserve their remaining natural hair, while nourishing their hair back to health. I provide them with knowledge of all options that I myself have available. I urge my clients to eat right, exercise, get plenty of rest, take a multi vitamin, drink plenty of water and have a proper medical diagnosis. I work in conjunction with their dermatologist to insure that they receive the best treatment possible. One of biggest factors in hair success- is to STOP the hairstyles that pulled their hair out in the first place and once we get it growing, never look back.
- See more at: http://www.dermnet.com/videos/alopecia/non-scarring-alopecia/traction-alopecia-hair-loss-treatment/#sthash.Ja91GQRQ.dpuf