We talk a lot about edges. They are the front line, the most visible indicator of hair health. But there is a silent struggle happening in the shadows—at the nape of the neck (the "kitchen"), behind the ears, and right in the center of the crown. These are the hidden zones of Traction Alopecia.
We love our protective styles. Box braids, cornrows, high ponytails, and sew-ins are staples of our culture and our beauty. But there is a dark side to the "snatched" look. When a style is installed too tightly, or kept in for too long without a break, the constant tension creates chronic inflammation at the root.
At first, it just feels like a headache or a little tenderness. We tap our heads to relieve the itch. But underneath the surface, the hair follicle is being slowly strangled. Over time, the hair falls out, and worse, the follicle scars over. The skin becomes smooth and shiny. This is the danger zone. Once a follicle is fully scarred, regrowth is incredibly difficult. But if there is even a tiny bit of fuzz—or if the skin still has texture—there is hope.
Healing traction alopecia requires a two-step intervention: Release and Revive.
Step 1: Release You have to take the tension off. This is the non-negotiable part. If you have a bald spot forming behind your ear from a tight braid pattern, putting another braid over it to hide it will only make it permanent. You must let that area breathe.
Step 2: Revive with Rooted Treasure This is where you bring in the heavy artillery. Rooted Treasure Jamaican Black Castor Oil is uniquely suited for traction recovery because of its high ash content (alkalinity) and ricinoleic acid.
Ricinoleic acid is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory. When you apply it to a tender or thinning spot, it helps reduce the subterranean swelling that is choking the follicle.
The "Spot Treatment" Routine: This is not for your whole head; this is precision work.
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Warm It Up: As always, warm a small amount of Rooted Treasure. Warmth expands the blood vessels.
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Target the Zone: Apply the oil directly to the thinning patch.
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The Stimulation Massage: You must massage this spot for at least 5 minutes every single day. You are trying to manually jumpstart blood flow to an area that has gone dormant. You want to bring oxygen back to the scene of the crime.
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The Tingle: You might feel a slight tingle or warmth. This is good. It means circulation is returning.
Consistency is everything here. You are trying to coax a traumatized follicle back to life. It might take three months to see significant change. But slowly, that smooth, shiny patch will start to look dull (a good sign!) and then fuzzy.
Our hair is resilient, but it has a breaking point. Rooted Treasure is the bridge back from that brink, helping you reclaim the spots you thought were lost forever.