Hair shedding is normal and it happens to all of us. But would you know when your shedding has become hair loss? A recent client of mine did not think her shedding was actually hair loss. After drilling down, we discovered the root cause (pardon the pun!). Here’s how that conversation went.
Shedding vs Hair Loss
My clients know I stress the importance of developing your curl instinct, and learning to “feel” your hair so you know what it needs or when you’ve conditioned enough, or when that styler has reached peak saturation (it’s all in the feels!). It takes some time for a new client to develop their curl instinct, but for me, well, I’ve been at this a long time. My hands are my tools; I know when something is off with a client’s curly hair.
This day, I knew there was something different about my client’s hair. The texture of it felt slightly harder or stiffer than usual. She had already washed that morning, but we were at the sink and I realize she’s shedding even more than usual. At first, I didn’t think much of it; maybe she washed really quick and didn’t comb out her hair or something, and this hair loss is the residual.
So I kept working on her hair. I’m trying to get all her shed hairs out, but she keeps shedding. There’s a difference between extra hair and normal shedding. And while her hair loss wasn’t totally excessive, it was excessive for her. She’s a regular client and I know her hair. So I start asking questions.
“How’s your health?”
“Have you been sick recently?”
“Anything super stressful happen recently?”
The answers were no, no and no. So I keep digging.
“Are there any thyroid issues in your family?”
“Oh yes! Last year my thyroid was tested and I was instructed to take Vitamin D and B12.”
Bingo! I tell her she might want to think about having her thyroid tested again, because it may be contributing to her excessive hair loss.
Shedding is Normal, Hair Loss is Usually the Result of a Change
Everyone sheds. Some of us shed more than others, but shedding in itself is normal. We shed when the season changes, we shed when we’re pregnant, or entering perimenopause or menopause. We shed when we switch up medications, or start a new job, or move in with a partner or break up. In other words, we shed when our body is stressed or traumatized.
So shedding is expected, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to it. If you think you’re shedding more than usual, ask yourself what’s changed in your life. And keep asking until the lightbulb goes off, like it did with my client.
Hair Loss is Emotional
Most of us have an emotional reaction to hair loss. Curlies like us tend to see our hair as our identity, or at least a huge chunk of (or should I say clump!) of it. Our curls are often what sets us apart from everyone else. Our curls are the conversation starter at parties and in the grocery store line. Our curls are who we are. Watching our curls swirl down the drain in excess is horrifying.
If you find yourself shedding more than usual, or if you think you are experiencing hair loss, speak to your stylist (if you believe your hair loss is medically related, see your doctor first so you have a diagnosis!) An experienced and knowledgeable stylist will know how to advise you if you are experiencing hair loss.
Your stylist should be able to tell you how to mitigate your hair loss. You two should discuss things like your scalp health and the importance of sticking with clean and organic hair products that won’t lead to further hair loss. Maybe they’ll advise you to wash less frequently, or hold off on heat styling. Maybe you should work scalp massage into your routine. There are a lot of things you can do while you are experiencing hair loss.
Hair Loss is Usually Temporary
I have another client who is a super shedder normally, but thanks to a recent hysterectomy, she is now a turbo shedder. She knows the hormonal drop and trauma to her body are to blame, but she knows it’s not forever. After evaluating her hair, we agreed she would shampoo less (she already uses Innersense Organic Beauty to cowash, but she’s switching to the lighter Pure line), only finger comb in her conditioner and swear off the blowdryer for a while. We cut light layers into her fine, swavy hair to add body and fullness, and snipped a few inches off the back to remove weight. She knows she’ll stop the excess shedding as her body recovers.
Hair loss happens, but it usually isn’t forever. But the knowledge you’ll gain during a hair loss episode, like the importance of a healthy scalp and healthy curl products, will definitely last you forever!