How to Prevent Traction Alopecia in Children

Children often suffer from traction alopecia, a form of cosmetic hair loss that results from wearing hair styles that are too tight. Braids, cornrows, and ponytails are common traction alopecia culprits in this age group. Traction alopecia can also be triggered by constant hair rubbing or repeated chemical treatments that are allowed to frequently breach through to burn the scalp. Though the condition can occur in adults, traction alopecia is most common in children and young adults. For many of us, our child's first encounter with traction alopecia is the "baby bald spot" in the back of our newborn's head. This traction alopecia example is the direct result of our baby's soft, delicate hair rubbing against harsh, cottony fabrics. This article will describe tips to prevent traction alopecia in older children.

7 Tips for Preventing Traction Alopecia in children

1.) Avoid Chemical Treatments.
This tip is certain to open a can of worms, but it is very important for preventing traction alopecia. While many will argue that chemical relaxing is an "adult" choice that should be made by knowledgeable adults who've effectively weighed the consequences of this styling choice, the fact remains that many young girls are having their tresses chemically relaxed. Even with special relaxers geared toward this younger group, relaxers are relaxers and many children are suffering from traction alopecia as a result. Relaxers are dangerous chemicals that can cause great damage if not performed properly, or maintained properly after the service. Traction alopecia is one of the many unfortunate issues you may encounter.

Twelve is the "recommended" age for relaxing children, though children as young as 2 years old have been subjected to chemical straightening. I DO NOT recommend relaxing children under the age of 10 or 12. If you are going to relax your daughter's hair, consult her pediatrician prior to doing so. He/she will be able to give you a professional assessment of whether your child's hair and scalp can manage the procedure. A professional stylist should also be able to give you an honest follow up opinion after her primary care physician. Hair coloring follows the same guidance.

2.) Avoid multiple plaits and ponytails.
107 tiny ponytails are cute, but keep the maximum number of ponytails to 5 or 6 to prevent traction alopecia. The idea is to keep the edges protected by using larger sections of hair for the ponytails. The more hair in a section, the stronger the section is because there is less tension on each hair fiber. This tension near the edges is the primary cause of traction alopecia in children. Tiny plaits near the edges and temples can put too much tension on the hair in these delicate areas and lead to a problem with traction alopecia along the edges and frontal hairline. Imagine a bundle of dried spaghetti noodles. If you have 10 long noodles in a bundle, they are pretty easy to snap in half. If you have 100 in a bundle, you'll have to work harder to snap that bunch in half. Hair is the same; a tiny braid will always succumb to pulling strain and breakage faster than a larger braid.

Similarly, avoid gathering hair that is too short hair into a ponytail. We all wait patiently for the day that our toddler gets her first real ponytail- but if you are struggling to get the hair in the pony-- give her hair a few more months of cute headbands and bows! Forcing it can cause traction alopecia issues later.

3.) Avoid hair weaves.
Back in the 90's there was a crochet braid craze, and every little black girl in my community had these braids. Unfortunately I'd never seen so many traction alopecia victims from these braids, and the also super popular-- Micro braids, in my life. Other hair weaves to be avoided, especially in the smallest children are "phony ponies." I've seen children, hardly able to walk, sporting a full clipped in ponytail. The weight of this hair on a child's delicate hairline and edges-especially, if the hair has already been prematurely chemically relaxed, is too much.

4.) Avoid rubberbands and hair "ball" holders.
Use soft, cloth ponytail holders to avoid traction alopecia. These hair holders are easiest to remove and will not snag the hair. These can be purchased very cheaply in bulk, and you can simply cut them if needed should they give you trouble coming out. (They are so cheap that cutting them won't make you feel too guilty!) Rubber bands cause friction to the hair shaft and apply tension and stress to the hair fibers that will cause the fibers to break. Repetitive hair breakage near the edges can eventually become a case of traction alopecia. Hair"balls"-those popular holders we all grew up with (the kind with the two balls you interlock) are also a hair breakage and traction alopecia culprit in young children.

My daughter has super thick, huge, curly natural hair. We use cloth holders that we simply snip out when we are done.

5.) Always test her ponytails.
To prevent traction alopecia, always test your child's ponytails by gently tugging at them prior to moving on. Ponytails at the right tension should yield as you pull them away, and gently bunch as you push them back toward the scalp. You should also be able to insert a finger, or part of a finger, underneath the holder. If you see redness or tenderness on the scalp, the ponytails are too tight. If you see tiny bumps of any kind, you are definitely too tight. If the scalp is buckling under the pressure which is common when there are 2 ponytails (one on top, one on bottom)-then the ponytails need to be loosened. Check the hairline and nape to make sure that you cannot "see" any hairs being pulled too tightly.

Have your daughter tilt her head until it touches her shoulder on one side. Ask if she feels any pulling or discomfort. Tilt to the other side and repeat. Finally, have her lean her head forward until her chin touches her chest. Any sign of pulling should be addressed immediately.

6.) Gently remove all ponytail holders prior to bedtime.
Hair rubbing and friction from tossing and turning at night can also lead to traction alopecia. One option is to remove the ponytails, and move the cloth holders from the tops of the ponytails to the ends for the night.

7.) Cover her hair for bed.
Covering the hair is an excellent way to prevent traction alopecia. If your daughter can tolerate a satin scarf or bonnet, have her sleep in one. If she isn't up to it, or doesn't like the bonnet then satin pillowcase is also an option. If neither option works, give it time. Either way, make sure that you keep hair care "fun" for her-its okay if she isn't super excited about protecting her hair at night! Most kids could not care any less!

When my daughter was a baby, we protected her hair at night using a satin-backed blanket. I always put her on the satin-side up portion of the blanket. This is an excellent way to avoid the common "baby bald spot" that newborns get from spending hours sleeping on their backs. My daughter never lost her hair in the back! We kept her blanket with her in the car seat, anywhere she would go. Worked like a charm!