Trichotillomania is a disorder that makes people pull out their hair from their scalp, underarms, eyebrows, eyelashes, chest or other body parts. As a result, they leave bald patches. This type of impulse control disorder creates an urge to pull out the hair so strong that the person suffering from it is unable to stop doing damage to themselves. For them, it is a way to soothe when they are stressed.
Unlike what many people think, trichotillomania is not an uncommon condition. According to a 2013 study, about 4% of the overall population has experienced this disorder and about 2.5 million in the US will experience it in their lifetime. And, we are not counting the ones that don’t seek professional help to treat their disorder because they deny they have a problem. So, if you feel you are alone, you are definitely not.
Set aside the causes and treatment for trichotillomania, which are both addressed by health professionals, a major concern after people are through with their treatment is whether their hair will grow back.
There is no straightforward answer to this question. It all depends on the damage caused. To determine the extend of the damage, simply examine the tip of the hair you have just removed. If it has a black tip, you are among the lucky ones because you have not pulled out the entire follicle alongside the muscle and blood supply. This means that you have not done permanent damage, and the hair will grow back retaining its original pigmentation or grow white or even grey. If, on the other hand, the tip is red, chances are the hair won’t grow back from that spot.
How much does it take for the hair to regrow
No matter which area has become bald due to the pulling activity, the hair grows back relatively quickly. In fact, some areas of the body will take sooner to fully regrow hair. For example:
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Eyelashes – They grow to their full length very quickly, which could be within 6 months. However, and depending on the damage done to the area, it could take longer.
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Scalp – Considering that the hair on the head grows about ½ inch every month (for some people it is ¼ inch), it could take a good 2-4 years for full regrowth.
- Eyebrows – This is an area that people with trichotillomania tend to damage more. Regrowth could take longer than anticipated.
Undeniably, you will need to be patient. The hair might feel irregular during the recovery period, but, if you have a live follicle, it will eventually grow back.
What to do during the recovery period
For starts, you can enrich your diet with vitamin B50 complex (all the B vitamins combined). According to experts, it will promote hair growth and also reduce the stress symptoms. But, again, you will test your limits as it can take up to a year to see noticeable results, although it’s worth it.
Wearing a wig is also a solution many people opt for, as it gives them the freedom to have their hair grow back without having to endure the long recovery process. For a natural look, though, the wig will have to be of excellent quality and made with natural Remy hair. The same applies to wearing hair extensions to cover the bald areas and help your own hair grow healthy again without anyone noticing it. Plus, it will help you improve your self-confidence.
Important Note: Quality plays a vital role in this case, so everything you use or put on your scalp and hair should be of top quality to avoid doing more harm than good.
At Margaret’s Salon, we have seen many cases of both women and men with trichotillomania that have used low-quality wigs and hair extensions that just covered their problem and caused severe skin problems, hair breakage, and more that could have been easily prevented if they had chosen to invest on more reliable solutions. Also, it is paramount to have hair extensions applied by a trained professional because trichotillomania, just like traction alopecia, requires expert handling. Otherwise, you could end up with even worse issues than before.
Of course, there are other solutions, as well. For instance, there are many products that are extremely effective to balding people, such as specifically formulated shampoos, scalp treatments, and conditioners. For more information on these products, as well as wigs and other options to be able to enjoy luscious hair again, please contact us or give us a call.
Remember that in this fight, you are not alone.
Let’s bring your hair’s lost glory back.
We know how.
