Hair shedding is a natural process that everyone experiences daily. On average, it’s normal to lose about 50-100 strands of hair per day. However, for those with natural hair, excessive shedding can be a concern, especially when the amount of hair lost seems more significant than usual. When you understand the causes and solutions to hair shedding, you can maintain a healthier, fuller hair.
Common Causes of Hair Shedding
- Lack of Moisture Natural hair tends to be dry because the oils produced by your scalp struggle to travel down the curly strands. This dryness can lead to brittleness, breakage, and eventually, shedding. If your hair lacks moisture, it may break off easily, giving the impression of excessive shedding.
- Product Buildup Over time, product buildup from conditioners, creams, and oils can clog your scalp, preventing healthy hair growth. A clogged scalp can also lead to increased hair shedding because the follicles may become weakened or blocked.
- Stress and Hormonal Imbalances Stress and hormonal fluctuations, such as those caused by pregnancy, birth control, or thyroid issues, can lead to hair shedding. Emotional stress, in particular, can cause the hair to enter a “resting” phase, where it stops growing and begins to fall out.
- Tight Hairstyles Wearing tight hairstyles like braids, ponytails, or buns can lead to traction alopecia—a form of hair loss caused by tension on the hair follicles. This can result in hair thinning and excessive shedding over time, especially around the edges of your scalp.
- Poor Diet A diet lacking in essential nutrients like vitamins A, C, and E, along with omega-3 fatty acids, can lead to weaker hair that sheds more frequently. Your hair relies on these nutrients for growth and strength, so deficiencies can significantly impact your hair health.
How to Stop Hair Shedding on Natural Hair
- Moisturize Regularly One of the most effective ways to prevent hair shedding is by keeping your hair well-moisturized. Use a water-based leave-in conditioner or moisturizer to lock in moisture. Sealing your hair with natural oils like jojoba or argan oil can help retain moisture and prevent breakage.
- Use a Gentle Shampoo Clarifying your scalp is essential to remove product buildup and maintain healthy follicles. However, use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. Shampooing once a week should be enough to keep your scalp clean without causing dryness.
- Deep Condition Weekly Deep conditioning treatments can help restore moisture and strengthen your hair, reducing the chances of shedding. Use a deep conditioner rich in proteins and moisturizing agents to nourish your strands and make them more resilient to breakage.
- Avoid Tight Hairstyles Try to minimize the tension on your scalp by avoiding overly tight hairstyles. Instead, opt for protective styles like twist-outs, braid-outs, or low-tension buns that give your hair a break while maintaining its integrity.
- Eat a Balanced Diet Incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your diet that support healthy hair growth. Protein, leafy greens, nuts, and fatty fish are great sources of hair-strengthening nutrients. You may also consider taking hair supplements, but consult a healthcare professional first.
- Minimize Heat Styling Heat styling can cause serious damage to natural hair, leading to breakage and shedding. If possible, avoid using flat irons, blow dryers, and curling wands, or at least limit their use. If you must use heat, always apply a heat protectant to safeguard your strands.
- Massage Your Scalp Scalp massages are a great way to stimulate hair growth and reduce shedding. Massaging your scalp with natural oils can improve blood circulation, delivering more nutrients to your hair follicles and encouraging stronger, healthier hair.
Scalp Micropigmentation for Hair Thinning
While the tips above can help you manage and reduce hair shedding, some individuals may experience more permanent thinning or bald spots. If you’re dealing with areas of thinning that don’t seem to improve, Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP) could be the ideal solution. SMP provides a non-invasive, long-lasting solution for creating the illusion of fuller hair, especially in areas where shedding has led to visible thinning.
At SCALPPRO, we specialize in helping clients across Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Devon achieve natural-looking results through SMP. Whether you’re dealing with thinning, balding, or just want to add some density to specific areas, SMP can give you the confidence you deserve. Feel free to reach out for a consultation and learn more about how SMP can work for you.