Will my bald spot ever grow back? (Photo)

Question

Hi , so about 10 years ago when I was in elementary school , a girl ripped out 2 of my braids that were braided down to my scalp out . The bald spot is still there but it gives off the illusion that it could be hope for full recovery. Sometimes the bald spot randomly stings for a split second . i’m not sure what causes this and why it’s still happening after years . I never went to a dermatologist because I was so young and thought it would just grow back . Please help .

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

As a doctor, I would say that the regrowth of hair in your bald spot depends on the severity of the initial injury and whether the hair follicles were permanently damaged.When the braids were ripped out, it may have caused a condition called Traction Alopecia, which is hair loss due to prolonged or repetitive tension on the hair. This is often seen with tight hairstyles like braids, ponytails, or buns. If the pulling force was strong enough, it could have caused scarring and permanent damage to the hair follicles, preventing regrowth.The intermittent stinging sensation could be due to nerve irritation in the scarred area or possibly an indication of some hair follicle activity. However, without a proper examination or more detailed history, it's difficult to provide a definitive reason.I strongly recommend you to consult a dermatologist or a trichologist. They can examine the area, possibly perform a scalp biopsy, and provide a more accurate diagnosis. If the hair follicles are still intact and active, there might be treatments available to stimulate hair growth, such as minoxidil, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, or even hair transplant in more severe cases.

Ross Kopelman, DO · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about your experience, and I understand how frustrating it must be to still have a bald spot 10 years later. Hair loss from trauma, like having braids ripped out, can sometimes lead to a condition called traction alopecia, where the hair follicles are damaged due to tension or pulling. If the trauma was severe enough, it might have caused permanent damage to the hair follicles in that area, preventing regrowth.
The fact that the spot still stings occasionally could be a sign of ongoing irritation or nerve sensitivity in the area, though it’s not necessarily a bad sign. If there’s some hope of hair recovery, it may mean that the follicles aren’t entirely destroyed.
At this point, consulting with a dermatologist would be really beneficial. They can examine the area, possibly through a scalp biopsy or trichoscopy, to determine whether the follicles are still viable. If the follicles are damaged beyond repair, treatments like hair transplants or scalp micropigmentation can be considered to fill in the bald spot.
There’s a possibility for some recovery, but only a specialist can give you a definitive answer. It’s worth getting an evaluation to explore your options and finally address this issue after all these years.

Matt Tahsini, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. I strongly recommend you see a dermatologist to see what is preventing this bald spot from growing after some years. It's tough to say just looking at a picture. A doctor can look and see if there is permanent damage to the affected area. Best of luck to you.

De. T

De. T

Kulakarn Amonpattana, MD · Answer

Hello I'm Dr. Wipawan Vathananai, a co-worker of Dr. Kulakarn Amonpattana, from BHI Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand. I would highly recommend you to see a dermatologist in order to get the right diagnosis for the hair loss patch. It also depends on the diagnosis whether or not the hair grows back.

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