There are two main ways we lose hair; by shedding or by breakage.
It is important to understand the difference between the two and know what causes either of them so that you know how to minimise both.
In this blog post I will explain what shedding and breakage is and how to identify either of them.
WHAT IS SHEDDING
Each strand of hair on our head goes through a 3 stage growth cycle. These stages are; a growing stage, a resting stage and a shedding stage. When a strand of hair is in the shedding stage, it will fall out from the hair follicle (the root of the hair). The hair follicle will then produce/grow a new hair strand and that new hair strand will also go through this three stage cycle. Hair loss through shedding is therefore a normal part of the hair growth cycle, on average we lose an average of 50 to 100 strands of hair a day by shedding.
Please note that shedding occurs even if your hair is in a weave, braids, under a wig or in a bun. The hair will shed from the scalp but may be stuck in your hair style. As an example, if a lady has a shedding rate of 50 strands a day but has had a weave for a month, when she removes the weave all the hair that has been shedding for the last 30 but was stuck in her style will fall out when she detangles and combs her hair.
So if her shedding rate is 50 strands a day and she has had a weave for 30 days, when she removes her weave all the 1500 hairs that has been shedding under the weave will be free from the weave or braids they were trapped in.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SHEDDING
This image is magnified.
The white tip is very very tiny but it is visible.
When a hair is shed, the entire length (from its base to its tip) falls out. Shed hairs therefore tend to be longer pieces of hair. Also shed hairs tend to have a very tiny white bulb at the base of the hair. This is because when the hair is in the resting phase, colour stops being produced before the hair falls out in the shedding phase.
EXCESSIVE SHEDDING AND WHY IT IS A PROBLEM
Although shedding is natural, some factors can cause a woman’s shedding rate to increase beyond its normal level.
As an example, my own hair sheds approximately 30 to 55 strands a day (I know this because I’ve counted a few times, please don’t judge me 🙂 ) . If my shedding rate suddenly increases from 55 strands a day to 130 strands a day, that would be excessive shedding because my hair would be shedding more than in normally does.
So even though shedding is normal and should be expected, excessive or abnormal shedding is not. Factors that MAY cause hair to shed more than its normal rate include
1) Hormonal influences, eg pregnancy ( especially after birth), birth control, menopause, etc.
2) A poor diet
3) Stress
4) Some hairstyles which put too much tension or stress on the hair follicles (hair roots)
Excessive shedding will reduce the overall fullness of your hair over time. In part two of this series I will share methods of reducing shedding.
WHAT IS BREAKAGE
Breakage is usually caused by the following situations
1) Dry and brittle hair
2) Excessive and rough combing
3) Protein and moisture imbalance
4) Damage from incorrect use of chemicals (relaxing and colouring)
5) Damage from extensions
Damage, incorrect hair care and poor hair care practices are the usual suspects behind breakage. Broken hairs are usually shorter than shed hairs because only parts of the hair breaks off unlike shed hairs where the whole length of the hair falls out. Also broken hair will not have a white tip which is a characteristic of shed hairs.
It is impossible to have zero breakage because general wear and tear, caring for and styling the hair can cause some degree of breakage. However, If you are experiencing severe breakage or your hair breaks very easily even when you are gentle with it then this is something you should address, treat or try to minimise.
I hope the information above has clarified the difference between breakage and shedding. Please come back soon for part two of this series where I will provide advice on minimising both shedding and breakage.
How are your hair journeys going ladies?
What do you get more, shedding, breakage or both?
X
Lade
Learn | Change | Grow
You are completely judged for counting your shed hairs. Talk about time on your hands. LOL.
I have very few shed hairs and even less breakage lately. Hair journey is going well to. My hair isnt growing all that fast but there has been some growth and it’s full, thick and healthy looking and like I said breakage is almost negligible. Thanks to you and this blog ofcourse!
Author
LOL, well !!!!!!!!!!!
I am pleased your journey is going well. And thank you sooooo much for stopping by to let me know.
Its normal to notice your hair getting fuller before it get longer on a hair journey. Because your breakage has reduced and you are not shedding as much as you may have in the past, there’s simply more hair staying on your head instead of falling off.
So keep doing what you are doing cos its obviously working.
Happy hair journey.:)
My daughter Gabriella 8 yo gets breakage but not too much shedding. We’ve just started her hair journey so excited to read part two on how to minimize breakage. Thanks for your blog. Love it!!
Author
AWwwwwwwww Benita, thanks for the comment. I am pleased your daughter is on a hair journey ( how about you?)
I should have had part two up by now but ive been a little under the weather. But hopefully it should be up by Monday.
In the meantime I would say try to work in sections, handle her hair gently, use a wide tooth comb, products which help with detangling and keep her hair moisturised. Hopefully that will help till part two is up.
X
Lade
Congrats on your anniversary. I am looking forward to reading part 2 of this. I love your blog and I’m sharing with every woman who cares to listen. Both my 4 y r old daughter and I are on a hair journey too. Hers started about a month ago and her hair is natural so I’m giving it more love so she can grow up knowing how to take care of her hair without going through the pain most of us are going through now. I realised that natural hair also needs to be trimmed.I have never trimmed or cut her hair since she was born! 2 weeks ago I trimmed it slightly and she had it woven. Upon taking out the weaving and washing today I realised very very little hair broke/shed. I am so delighted! Maybe I should’ve counted the strands too lol.
As for me, I’m gathering my knowledge and products to start full blast in December though I’ve started with the basic baby steps now. Thanks for posting all this info for free. I think you should white a book though.I’ll buy a copy :-).
I see you Tolu!!! 🙂 Thanks for inviting me, i’m loving it.
Thanks Lade, your hair’s beautiful, I’m glad to know i use most of the products you use. I see you aint a product junkie, some other bloggers making me wonder how you’ll know if the products work. Thanks most especially for the explanation on the washing in braids…..
Hey Bosa, welcome :-).
Author
Thank you sooooooo much Bosa and thanks Tolu for inviting her.
I do try to make my regimen as practical as possible and try not to get too crazy on buying products.
Washing in braids is soooooo helpful at minimising tangles. I hope it work for you.
Happy hair Journey.
X
Lade
Author
Hello Tolu
Thank you sooooooo much for the lovely compliment and spreading the word about the blog.
Its great that you and your daughter are on a hair journey together. Well hopefully attitudes to black hair ( natural and relaxed) are changing and people are becoming more informed.
I am glad you are seeing progress in your daughters hair and hope that you will see progress in yours too.
Hmm, a book,…you are giving me ideas.
x
Lade
Hi ..i have a very long hair upto my hips. After my son born my hair started to fall. Its been now 5 years my hair is not stopped yet to fall. Now a days i m noticing that my small little baby hairs are falling with white bulb. I can notice my thinning on hairline. I went to 2 dermatologist. All my blood reports are normal. What should i do. Please help me. I will be grateful to you.
Author
Hello Nikita
I am so sorry to hear about the hair loss you have experienced. Unfortunately I can advise on what you should do. I am qualified to give hair care advice but cannot diagnose hair loss that may have a medical or hormonal cause.
I can only suggest that you see a trichologist. They are better informed than dermatologists about hair loss and may be able to help you.
I genuinely wish you all the best with your hair.
x
Lade
Hey
I am suffering from excessive hairfall for last 1year. The volume has reduced extensively and they are still shedding to the limit that I am now afraid even to touch them because they just come out even if I move my fingers through the strands and the condition is worst after hairwash. I have been to doctors,taking protein supplements, biotin tabs but nothing’s effective. There is no hereditary prob of hairloss and I have never suffered anything like this in 26years of my age. What do you suggest?
Author
Hello Somya
Thank you so much for reaching out to me and I am sorry to read about the issues you are having with your hair.
Unfortunately I am not in a postion to advice as the symptoms you have described goes beyond my training and certification.
I would advise you to seek the help of a Trichologist.
I wish you best of luck and sorry I could not be of much help/
x
Lade
I appreciate. No worries. Thanx.:-)
So it’s good if it has a white tip, that’s normal and good?
Author
Hello Jami
Well if it has a white tip it means its shedding and this is normal. So I guess in that way it is better than breakage however extreme or very high amounts of shedding is not normal.
Hope that clears things up a bit.
x
Lade