We present a 24-year-old woman that had received a diagnosis of alopecia areata in the past and was treated with topical 19 corticosteroids with little improvement. Instead, the patient exhibited bitemporal alopecia of one year of evolution related to 20 traction alopecia. Traction alopecia is characterized by localized hair loss related to persistent excessive traction. Although it is 21 initially a reversible condition, if this excessive traction is not removed permanent alopecia may develop.