Traction alopecia or male pattern baldness?

Question

Hello everyone, im having a concern with my hair. I am seeing a loss of hair on my temple areas and am not sure if it is due to traction alopecia from tight braids worn for 8 months or mpb.

Sanusi Umar, MD · Answer

Hair loss along the edges of the hairline is characteristic of both traction alopecia, a mechanical form of hair loss, as well as androgenic hair loss, a hereditary form of hair loss. I recommend scheduling a consultation with a dermatologist near you for an accurate diagnosis. 
Traction alopecia  initially reversible and typically localized to the area that experienced the most pulling force from harsh grooming habits. Due to hairstyles such as tight braids and ponytails, this loss generally manifests around the temple areas. Traction alopecia can result in permanent hair loss in very late stages if scarring has developed.
Male pattern hair loss also often manifests at temple and hairline recession in its earlier stages. However, this hair loss is caused by follicular sensitivity to DHT, a by-product of the breakdown of testosterone in the bloodstream. 
I have included a link with more information on hair loss, as well as possible treatment courses, in the link below.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Traction alopecia can certainly compound or worsen the appearance of genetic male pattern balding recession.

Sara Salas, MD · Answer

More than likely you have male pattern baldness&hellip; And we’re getting stages of it, so you should start on finasteride also known as Propecia 1 mg. You also should go see a hair restoration specialist so he can measure the diameters of your receding hairline and see if the traction alopecia was a part of this but the majority of this is about male pattern baldness.

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

You have no problem ! Receding hairline is not because of tractional alopecia or a hair loss because of ongoing process of androgenetic alopecia but a simple juvenile type maturing of frontal hair line. That is seen almost every young boys almost between 16-21 that have a very rounded hairline without recession in the corners. Recession in the corners is a sign of mature pattern male frontal hair line.

Michael Meshkin, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

You seem like you have genetic male pattern hair loss which is progressive over time. If you also pull your hair back tightly, it could facilitate the process. It is best to be examined closely by a specialist.

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Your biggest enemy is the progressive thinning leading to a balding pattern that may not evident at this point in time. The degree of hair loss that you are experiencing would suggest that you should see a doctor who most likely will get Bulk Measurements of your hair to determine the degree of the thinning that you may be presently having. If the diagnosis is early genetic hair loss (the most common cause of hair loss in young men and you are following your families balding problem), then the best treatment would be the drug finasteride which is highly effective in men of your age and may not only stop the hair loss but possibly reverse it. If you are developing a more advanced balding pattern the best test to get is the HAIRCHECK instrument test (for bulk measurements) and this will show, over a one-year time frame, how effective the treatment will be or if you are not on drugs, using this instrument to tell you if you have ANY hair loss at all. Once you know this information, then you and your doctor need to develop a MASTER PLAN which will define what you need

Traction alopecia or male pattern baldness?

Answers (6)

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