Traction alopecia

Traction alopecia is a type of alopecia or hair loss caused by a chronic pulling force being applied to the hair.^[1] It commonly results from a person frequently wearing their hair in a particularly tight ponytail, pigtails, or braids with increased likelihood when hair is chemically relaxed as this compromises the hair shaft's tensile strength resulting in hair breakage. Traction alopecia causes a recession of the hairline due to chronic traction, which is characterized by a fringe along the marginal hairline on physical exam.^[2]^[3] Diagnosis is clinical and treatment directed at cessation of the chronic traction, while cosmeses, with surgical restoration is reserved for severe cases with scarring fibrosis.

^ Onalaja, Amanda A.; Taylor, Susan C. (2021). "1. Defining skin color". In Li, Becky S.; Maibach, Howard I. (eds.). Ethnic Skin and Hair and Other Cultural Considerations. Switzerland: Springer. p. 14. ISBN 978-3-030-64829-9.
^ Khumalo, N. P. (2012). "The "fringe sign" for public education on traction alopecia". Dermatology Online Journal. 18 (9): 16. doi:10.5070/D31H81C7S1. PMID 23031383.
^ Samrao, A.; Price, V. H.; Zedek, D.; Mirmirani, P. (2011). "The "Fringe Sign" - A useful clinical finding in traction alopecia of the marginal hair line". Dermatology Online Journal. 17 (11): 1. doi:10.5070/D325M840MZ. PMID 22136857.

[Li2021-1] Onalaja, Amanda A.; Taylor, Susan C. (2021). "1. Defining skin color". In Li, Becky S.; Maibach, Howard I. (eds.). Ethnic Skin and Hair and Other Cultural Considerations. Switzerland: Springer. p. 14. ISBN 978-3-030-64829-9.

[fringe-2] Khumalo, N. P. (2012). "The "fringe sign" for public education on traction alopecia". Dermatology Online Journal. 18 (9): 16. doi:10.5070/D31H81C7S1. PMID 23031383.

[3] Samrao, A.; Price, V. H.; Zedek, D.; Mirmirani, P. (2011). "The "Fringe Sign" - A useful clinical finding in traction alopecia of the marginal hair line". Dermatology Online Journal. 17 (11): 1. doi:10.5070/D325M840MZ. PMID 22136857.

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