I’m Scared I May Have Developed Traction Alopecia!

Hello there. I thank you in advance for your time and efforts related to hair loss. I’m a twenty year-old Caucasian female and have recently detected signs of traction alopecia behind my ears (due to adding more wefts of hair extensions in recent months). I’m terrified that my hair will never grow back, and while I’ve worn extensions for approximately two years, I’ve only noticed the hair loss within the past four or five months. I’m completely devastated by the hair loss, as I’ve experienced body dysmorphia with my hair for the past ten years.

At this point, my hair is extremely short (bob-like cut), and I’ve loosely placed a few clip in extensions to add fullness to my hair (although they’re not placed in the location where hair-loss is evident). As noted, the level of devastation that I’m currently experiencing is beyond words–I feel as though I’ve been completely robbed of my femininity and any/all confidence that existed in me prior to the hair-loss discovery. I’m in dire need of help/advice/support. Will my hair grow back? And what can be done to speed up the process? I’m a college student on financial aid–thus, only capable of funding at-home remedies.

Again, thank you for your time and effort in this matter. It’s greatly appreciated.

Best regards

First and foremost, fear should not be a factor when you are dealing with hair loss. You need to empower yourself and find a reason — even a medical diagnosis. I do not know if you have traction alopecia, but constant pulling on the hair from hair extensions may cause it. There may be other unknown causes as well.

Keep in mind that it generally take over a year to see hairs to grow back (if they are going to grow back) and there is no product that I am aware of that speeds up this process. As a financial aid student, you should probably give it time rather than spend money on products that do not work.