Deal with African American Hair Shedding the Right Way

The texture of African American hair is very different from Caucasian or Asian hair, as it is drier causing it to be rough and coarse. Black hair is more susceptible to damage due to its curly structure, which makes the hair weak at some points. It is also irregular in its thickness from the root to the end making the thinner areas more prone to hair breakage. Giving a lot of time and attention to pamper it, hair shedding can be controlled.

The major problem faced by African Americans is that their hair is mostly unmanageable. This makes you want to go through with innumerable chemical hair treatments. Two types of hair shedding seen mostly in African American women are Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA), where the shedding begins from the scalp and spreads outward, and Traction Alopecia, where shedding happens at the temples and sides of the head. CCCA is mostly caused by intensive chemical hair treatment, and Traction Alopecia is caused by pulling hair tight by ponytails, braids, dreadlocks and weaves for a continuous period of time. Though these conditions are reversible and prevention of hair breakage and shedding is possible, sometimes the hair loss may turn permanent.

Medical treatment for hair shedding and thinning starts by getting an overall consultation on the hair’s health by a professional. Most doctors prescribe multivitamins and biotins to improve hair growth. Iron and amino acid supplements can help you control hair shedding. Use those shampoos, conditioners and other products in your hair, only by a professional’s advice. A well-balanced diet and regular exercise increases nutrients and improves blood circulation in the whole body, including scalp, making hair grow healthier.

Traditionally African Americans grease hair and scalp to make it smooth and manageable. However, this is a wrong thing to do in case of hair damage, because greased scalp clogs pores and makes hair dehydrated and weak. Regular oiling and conditioning can be done instead of greasing to soothe the hair. Hot oil massage is a good treatment for prevention of shedding hair, though all oils are not suitable for African American hair. Use these products which are suitable for black hair, like a wide toothed comb, non-greasy gels and natural-oil based moisturizer. Never tug at the tangles because African American hair gets more tangled than the rest, and is more prone to breakage this way. It is advisable to wear the hair up whenever possible, so as to avoid rubbing and snagging. Too many or too often chemical treatments dry up the hair and make it weak and brittle. Use styling tools at its lowest heat settings to avoid damage. Apply leave-on conditioners for better moisturizing. In case of ongoing treatment for hair shedding, it is best to adopt hairstyles which do not have to be set using heat and chemicals. Never leave your braid or weave on for more than 6 to 8 weeks, after which it should be removed, shampooed and let to relax and breathe.

Raid your kitchen for the best hair treatment products. Apply mayonnaise on hair for a protein supplement, use avocado and banana pack for moisturizing and rinse with vinegar to strengthen your hair. Using the right products and following the right advice will make the job of maintaining the African American hair easy and reduce hair shedding.