Traction Alopecia caused by Ponytails..what to do?

[Infinity]

I just read in Paula Begoun's book that tieing hair in a ponytail causes Traction Alopecia (going bald, and/or loosing your hair where it is pulled back.). I've used ponytails the past 20 years. Even when it's down, it was pulled back like "Elaine" on Seinfeld. . I'm doing my best to keep it down now, but i just can't. It gets in my face and it's hot. What am I supposed to tie my hair in that WOn't cause TA? Wion't a braid or bun have the same effect? I stopped using scrunchies, as I feel that was the cause of hair breakage. Is using barrettes, forks, sticks, combs any gauantee against TA?
I'm desperate here. I going so bald you can see my scalp.
Thank you!

[krissykins]

Traction alopecia depends on how tightly the hair is pulled back and if it's pulled into the same position every time. Try mixing looser buns (alternating between high and low positions on the back of your head) and braids (side braids and back-of-head braids) :)

[Kherome]

Use a ficcare, stick, or flexi 8. And don't do it so tightly;)

[Babyfine]

what Krissykins said.^^
I had a stylist tell me to vary the position of my hairstyles,pull it back loosely, and don't pull it back the same way every day, in order to avoid traction alopecia.
I had a different stylist tell me not to ponytail at all but to put hair up in a french twist or bun using hairsticks,or pins.

[Firefox7275]

Traction alopecia and breakage are not the same, do you have both problems? Is your hair loss in the correct position for TA and have you had a medical check up to ensure there is not an underlying problem?

I have used ponytails day and night for many years and have a lot of breakage at the back, also breakage/ hair loss around the hairline so do feel for you. :( I didn't find scrunchies caused any issue, only no snag bands and how rough I was treating my hair to get it into the pony and keep it there (brushing when wet/ hairspray). Is there anything else you are doing - e.g. harsh products, dye, brushing, poor diet - that might be contributing to the hair loss?

I am now using a Claire's Accessories beak clip plus various non-branded beak clips from eBay (see my albums) to put my hair up without pulling tight. These all have little teeth which hold really well without pulling tight. They would obviously be damaging if you are not careful, but for me the risk is small compared with the ponytails. I also use kirby grips (bobby pins) to hold my hair off of my face whilst it is air drying.

[Nenwing]

I do tend to wear my hair a lot in ponytails (its not long enough to do much else!), but I use those black hair bands that look like they are made out of knit fabric almost like a heavy T-shirt or sweat shirt type thickness, but they work great because they seem to be soft enough to cut down on the breakage.

[princessp]

I wear my hair loosely at the sides (like in little buns or just held loosely with a pin/barrette) and then pull the rest back (not too tight). And vary how you wear it (like someone above already said). :)

[Schmoomunitions]

What about a headband?

[Phexlyn]

Traction Alopecia is caused by pulling the hair back too tightly, so you should switch to looser styles. Most braids and buns can be done loose, or you could to low ponytails that aren't pulled back that much. Try to wear different updos and change the position of the updo "base" as often as possible. If you continue to have this problem, please see a doctor, there might be something else going wrong.

[RitaCeleste]

Even a loose barrette should work, over the ears or base of the neck, let your hair poof up on top. Gone are the days of lifting your eyes and easing any forehead wrinkles! I hate updos so barrettes are all I can stand. If I wear ponytails they end up too tight and I experience actual pain when I release the hair. I can only use barrettes safely. I hold the hair loosely, snap the barrette, loosen up any spots that tug. The over the ear one is most comfy because when I let it down, my hair looks and feels like it was never put up at all after I brush it. The base of my neck is a bendy spot so I just hate feeling the barrette there.

[Anje]

Just tying hair back looser is usually effective. You could also put your hair in a bun smack on the top of your head, so it stays there by gravity instead of relying on tension on the rest of your hair to hold it in position.

Traction alopecia usually just affects the hairline or the part(s). If you're thin all over (say, Ludwig-pattern balding), I would be inclined to suspect some form of androgenic alopecia . Also, talk to a doctor about it. Serious hair-thinning can indicate a wide variety of internal problems, such as hypothyroidism. You should make sure nothing is wrong health-wise.

[Infinity]

This is the OP.
Thank you for all your advice! To answer your questions:
Yes, I do have very serious health problems. I am under the care of numerous Physicians. My hair loss is due to: Overall balding due to many years of being ill, traction alopecia from ponytails, and hair breakage due to (I think) dry brushing curly hair. I cannot cure any of my incurable illnesses, but i would like to avoid what is avoidable, in this case, TA. I think the scrunchies not only caused TA, but also a lot of breakage. curly hair is more prone to breakage than straight, I've been told. Rogaine hasn't worked for me, so now thye're recommending wigs. But I'd like to save the hair I have by taking good care of it! Any more advice for avoiding TA and or breakage is greatly appreciated TY!

[Buddaphlyy]

I feel your pain OP. I was diagnosed with TA in November from wearing too tight braids one time. So I can only imagine what you are experiencing since you believe yours stems from wearing a ponytail for 20 years.

The first thing my derm told me was obviously to avoid tight styles. She also recommended taking biotin (I take 1000 mcg daily) and using Rogaine. I don't know why, but that didn't sit well with me so I never did that. But she did say it was okay to use commercial products so I started using Organic Root Stimulator Fertilizing Serum. It's made by Namaste Laboratories. I used it twice a day everyday for about 2 months. It really worked. I've heard good things about castor oil for thickening the hair, so I may try that soon. Hope this helps.

[BunnyBee]

A loose-ish braid and the nape of the neck will not pull on your hair, also as someone mentioned, head bands will keep your hair out of your face . I think your hairloss is more likely to be caused by stress due to your illness and traction alopecia is uncommon except in women who routinely wear hair extensions.

[Lynda]

I can't stand mine to be loose, it just comes undone.

I've solved my problem by evolving styles that will allow me to pull back my hair in 2 sections.

First, I part off a big section on top and put a clip in it temporarily. Then I secure the entire back.

I then secure the top section more loosely than the back, avoiding all traction. The part between the two sections changes each day, so any pulling gets "moved around".

For instance, today I did a braid bun. I secured the back with a scrunchy, braided, and secured. The top got a looser braid, which I wrapped and tucked.

This takes a bit of creativity, but it's better than the alternative high forehead!