Do I have scarring alopecia? If so, can I get a hair transplant? (Photo)

Yes, if you have traction alopecia, you can definitely be a candidate for a hair transplant, as long as the damage has stabilized and there’s no ongoing pulling or tension on your hair. Traction alopecia occurs when hair is lost due to repeated stress from tight hairstyles or mechanical pulling. The good news is that since this type of alopecia doesn’t involve inflammation or autoimmune conditions like scarring alopecia, hair transplants can be a great solution.
During a hair transplant, healthy hair follicles from the back or sides of your scalp are transplanted to the areas affected by traction alopecia, such as your edges or hairline. The success of the procedure will largely depend on the quality of your donor area and whether the traction-causing habits have been corrected.

Hello fcaldwell,
From the photo, it does not look like you are having a scarring alopecia. My first diagnosis would be traction alopecia which probably caused by the dreadlock hairstyle you are having in the photo. However, in order to get the correct diagnosis, I highly recommend you to see a dermatologist. Fortunately, traction alopecia can be corrected by hair transplant surgery. It is advised that you should stop wearing the dreadlock or the alopecia will get worse.