This is something I have been interested to learn for a while, for obvious reasons: if I am pulling out my hair will it be ruined forever? This seems to be a common question amongst trichsters, especially those who have pulled a large area and are worried it won’t grow back (at the moment I’m only looking at hair on the head as opposed to other places).
So, I started a Great Google Adventure in my attempt to find the answers (I did firstly look up ‘trichotillomania’ in my university library but there was nothing there – no surprises):
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I signed up to the forum at Trichotillomania Support Online which I also added to my list of links. This has a whole section on the forum about hair regrowth so could be very useful.
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I also thought this was useful, about general reasons for hair loss which include trich. It shows a picture of the cycle of hair growth too. When we pull a hair out with the root attached, we are pulling it out in the middle of the cycle which will then take longer to grow back.
Growth Cycle: From what I have read there are varying experiences with hair regrowth and trichotillomania. If you have been pull-free for a few weeks and your hair has not yet grown back then you do not need to worry. The growth cycle of the hair can take time to create a fresh one (perhaps even a few months), and when it does it will grow maybe a few inches in a year at most. When the hair does grow back, however, it may not be the same as it used to be. It will usually be fine, and kinky or wavy if you normally have straight hair. This is due to the damage of the follicle, which will take a while to repair itself.
Traction Alopecia: Whilst areas that stop growing are rare, it is common to experience thinning of the hair, otherwise known as ‘traction alopecia’ according to the page I mentioned above, which can also occur due to hair appliances such as curling irons. If the pulling is stopped quickly enough then the chances are that this will eventually rectify itself over time. However, there are cases when the damage is permanent. From what I have read, it seems the case that each individual experiences this in different ways. Some have been pulling for decades and experiences normal regrowth, while others’ hair is thinned after only a short period. According to the eMedicine entry for traction alopecia, ’sufficient levels of iron and protein in the diet may help promote normal hair growth’.
My Experience: As I have said before, I used to have a large bald patch when I was younger but now I don’t pull as much it is usually just a small amount of stubble on the top of my head around my crown. The patch grew back ok. It was curly for a while, but now it is completely blended in with the rest of the hair. I still feel, though, that my hair is not as nice as it could be. If I let it dry naturally it usually just goes frizzy, and I usually straighten it to make it shinier. I always wonder if I have just damaged my hair so much that it with either never be the same, or will take years of not pulling to rectify. Some of the forums I have read in the past have suggested that time is the only way for your hair to repair itself, and this may be a matter of years.
I’m afraid that I’m unable to provide any definitive answers, but have a read of the forum that I suggested to see individuals’ stories. For the moment I should be revising, which, as you might gather from my last post, I’m not doing very well at!
Hi, so I’m 17 yrs old and I just started pulling single strands of hair off my head. This started like 2-3 months ago and I notice I only pull when I’m bored while watching TV or laying on my bed. Should I go to the doctors to treat Trich? I mean I don’t have bald spots or patches anywhere. I started researching if hair pulling is bad on google a couple of days ago and of course it’s not good for my head. So I’m thinking I am really going to try to stop pulling my hair and if I get bored I should do activities to get my mind off it because I sure really don’t want to loose my hair and go bald! Do you think it would be okay if I could cure my diagnosis by stop pulling my hair?
i think activities are always good to do. Especially one that works the arms and fingers. I used to have this little toy that had removable parts that bend and it fastinates me. i also love string, and to tie knots and things…keep those hands busy….i still have issues.and im 21 and ive had this since i was in third grade.. it sucks
I’m 13 and have ADHD and I pick at my hair I have a bald the size of a quater or bigger I think I’ve ripped out fulicols . Do u think it will grow back?
The information you provided really helped us. Thank you very much
I have been pulling sinse I was 3 years old and I am 19 now!! It has been a struggle and I am always saying to myself, “just one more.” for the first time in my whole life of pulling I looked it up and to my surprise tons of other people do it and there’s a name for it even. It’s been 4 days now sinse I last pulled and that is the longest I have ever went! All the research I have done has inspired me to stop. I just need to get past it and I know I’ll feel so much better when I don’t have that urge anymore. I’ve been catching myself ALMOST about to pull while watching tv or messing with my laptop but I force myself to take my hand away because I know if I allow myself one pull, it’ll lead to more. I’m just trying to keep myself confident about it and think ahead and how worth it it was to stop!
That is great! Research definitely helps to keep me motivated. I’ve been pulling since I was 11 and I just turned 27! I am not successful for more than a month on my own self discipline so I put on fake nails. It cost about $8 for a box of pre-polished nails (i have no time for waiting for polish to dry!) I cannot pull with my finger tips since the nails get in the way. This is working because I mainly pull hairs that feel bumpy and course which involves “selecting” a single hair. I cannot single out the hair I want with these nails! So I have a new habit….clicking my nails. Hey, I need some kind of vice!
I am 10 years old and i started at 6 or 7 and i have only one bald spot on the side of my head but all the others grew back i just feel sad for what i have done all these years and i haven pulled my hair in like a month and i have felt very confident about my self and now my goal is to get my hair to what it looks like