Traction Alopecia

This is hair loss caused by tight braiding or pulling on the hair and is temporary if the traction is short – term, but becomes permanent with prolonged trauma. Usually the situation that we see is a bald area at the very front of the hairline. Hair transplant surgery can restore hair permanently, as long as the cause of the problem ceases.

Before and after hair transplantation in traction alopecia

Chemicals and Burns

Chemicals, such as those used in hairdressing can cause hair breakage that is not true hair loss. However, if the substances are used incorrectly, they can actually cause damage to the skin and to the hair roots, thus causing permanent hair loss. Similarly, burns to the skin can destroy the hair roots and cause a bald patch. In both of these cases, follicular unit transplantation may be a treatment option but this depends on the amount of scar tissue present.

Before and after face hair transplant

Physical and Emotional Stress

Severe illness, surgery, medical conditions (such as thyroid abnormalities or low blood count), rapid weight change or emotional stress can cause or accelerate hair loss. Once the stress is removed, hair usually grows back within a few months.

Plastic Surgery

With the increasing popularity of face-lifts, we are now seeing women with hair loss above and in front of the ears due to the traction of the face-lift. This can be very effectively treated with follicular unit hair transplantation.

Transplant to restore hair after a face-lift

Alopecia Areata

This condition is thought to be caused by the body producing substances (antibodies) that prevent the hair roots from producing hair. The condition usually appears as one or more isolated patches of complete baldness. In more severe forms, there is total baldness of the scalp (alopecia totalis) and, in extreme cases, total loss of all body hair (alopecia universalis). Sometimes medical treatment is successful in treating the less severe forms of the hair loss. In many cases, the condition clears up by itself, but may recur at a later stage.

Certain Medications

There are over 100 drugs known to cause hair loss including some forms of blood thinning drugs, thyroid medications, chemotherapy for cancer and contraceptive pills. Again, the effects are reversible once the drug is changed or stopped.

Pregnancy/Childbirth

Many women experience hair loss a few months after giving birth. This is due to a delay in the normal shedding during pregnancy. In other words, the hair gets thicker during pregnancy and then returns to its normal state afterwards.

Skin Conditions

Localised skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, scarring conditions and infections can cause temporary or permanent hair loss. If the hair loss is permanent, surgery can be used to restore hair to the area as long as the underlying skin condition has been successfully treated.

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