Can damage from traction alopecia be reversed?

Yes, traction alopecia thinning or hair loss is reversible if your hair follicles have not been damaged permanently. This includes wearing safer (i.e. looser) hairstyles. Minoxidil may also help by improving blood flow to the scalp. If your follicles have been permanently damaged, hair transplantation is the only way to restore normal growth. With a method called Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE), tiny punches are used to harvest follicles, so there is no permanent linear scar. If you’d like to learn more about this experience, here is a real life patient example from the Dr. U Clinic in Los Angeles of a woman who underwent this surgery to repair growth on the left side of her head.

I suggest seeing a hair loss expert to evaluate and go over your condition and provide you information about your best treatment options. There are great non-invasive options like PRP/progesterone and/or hair transplantation. See an expert. Best, Dr. Emer

You should stop wearing your hair pulled back ASAP. If the hair is still present, but thin, it can usually turn around and regrow into fuller, thicker hair. If the hairs are gone, then usually they stay gone. You should have a consultation with a hair restoration surgeon to have your scalp and hairs evaluated, as well as discuss the nonsurgical options available to you!

This would really depend on individual basis depending on your genetic makeup and the length of time and trauma to the follicles.  Your follicles may have scarred to a point where they cannot further grow terminal hairs. Minoxidil use consistently for 5-6 months is an option to see if you they  follicles can be revived.  If not, transplantation would be your other option as well as PRP and/or stem cells therapy.

Traction alopecia can be reversed if it has not been present very long. IF you had a hairstyle this month that caused traction, it will grow back. However, the longer and longer you go, the less likely it is to reverse. Hair transplantation is often the best option in longer standing traction. To know if it can be reversed, see a dermatologist who specializes in hair loss. If it is indeed early, I advise minoxidil, steroid injections, stopping the traction and fighting any seborrhoea that is often present. Get expert advice.