Naomi Campbell's Shocking Bald Patches

It has long been speculated that Naomi Campbell struggles with traction alopecia. New concerns were sparked this week after photos taken during a recent summer vacation showed the supermodel with shocking bald patches and a receding hairline.

Known for her long time use of hair extensions, it appears the British supermodel is now dealing with the consequences of the pulling, styling and abuse her follicles have suffered over many years. 

Traction Alopecia is common among people who wear tight braids, those who use hair extensions over a long period of time, attach wigs or weaves with glue/clips/tape, or those who suffer from trichotillomania (hair-pulling disease), and is a result of the chronic tension or pulling on the follicles causing irreparable damage. 

The definitive cure is hair transplantation which permanently replaces the follicles into the bald skin. However, without a change in hair-care habits, the transplanted hair is also at risk.

Are Hair Extensions to Blame for Serena Williams' Bald Spot?

Tennis star Serena Williams' changing hairstyles seem to be taking a toll on her hair. Recent photos show the 30-year old sporting a bald spot, a telling sign that she is likely suffering from a condition called traction alopecia.

Well known for her long time use of hair extensions and weaves, it appears that Serena may be now dealing with the consequences of the pulling, styling and abuse her follicles have suffered over many years.

Common among people who wear tight braids, those who use hair extensions over a long period of time, attach wigs or weaves with glue/clips/tape, or those who suffer from trichotillomania (hair-pulling disease), traction alopecia is a result of the chronic tension or pulling on the follicles causing irreparable damage.

The definitive cure is hair transplantation which permanently replaces the follicles into the bald skin. However, without a change in hair-care habits, the transplanted hair is also at risk.

Hair Loss Tied to Braiding, Weaving Styles

Very tight braiding or weaving may be linked to a permanent type of hair loss that affects many African American women, according to a U.S. study.

Prolonged pulling at the hair strands may cause inflammation of the hair follicle, which has been showed to lead to scarring.

In principle, this could lead to scarring hair loss or central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, a type of balding that starts at the top of the scalp and then spreads slowly to the rest.

The study, published in the Archives of Dermatology, is based on health questionnaires and scalp examinations of 326 African American women.

Nearly all of them straightened their curls chemically and about one in six had scarring hair loss. More than half the women with this condition said they had braids, weaves or hair extensions, as compared to only a third of those with less severe hair loss.

In a previous post I discussed Naomi Campbell's traction alopecia, the use of hair extensions is a known cause of severe hair loss because of traction alopecia.