Traction alopecia isn't caused by a temporary force on the scalp or hair, but a constant steady one. If that indeed weren't the case, balding also would be caused by wearing hats.
I'd say the pictures are overall inconclusive. I'm not sure how much the lighting changed between pictures. You also appear to be pulling your hair back more completely in the more recent picture.
Though matching up the pictures quickly as a morphing animated gif, at face value, it does appear that density increased throughout your hairline, especially evident at the corners.
Increasing scalp circulation through massaging isn't a magic bullet, there really isn't one. But no doubt it has some additive value.
