Pressure alopecia from orthodontic headgear

Pressure alopecia is a form of nonscarring hair loss that occurs because of chronic pressure. This article reports the appearance of an unusual area of pressure alopecia in a patient who wore headgear. Early diagnosis of this rare pathology is fundamental to obtaining total regression of the disease; although pressure alopecia is initially nonscarring, scarring can develop over time. Orthodontists should be aware that alopecia in predisposed patients can be caused by headgear.