Breakage vs. Natural Shedding: How do I know why my hair seems to be falling out!?
Everyone sheds hair. The same way we shed skin on a regular basis. Shed hair is hair that has reached the end of its life cycle.
From personal experience, I really didn't manage my hair when I was younger, It was always in weaves or braids and the take down process was done by someone else. So I never knew or thought about how much hair is “normal” to loose or that hair just drops on its own.
So how does one know when your hair has shed vs. when your hair is actually breaking? You take a look at the strand of hair to see if the root is still attached.
Shed hair
You can see the white hair root in the picture of a shed hair strand. This is where the hair strand has detached from your scalp after the end of the hair growth cycle.
Broken hair strands with most likely reasons
in the picture of the broken hair strand, you can see no white root. This means the hair was broken rather than shed. In the image we have identified the most likely reason for the breakage.
Mishandling hair: This means breakage from hair practices such as:
Brushing the hair until it breaks. The force used to brush hair can and often leads to breakage. This can happen when your hair is brushed when it is dry, as dry strands are very fragile. Therefore always brush damp hair from the root to the tip. We suggest using the Kui Leave in Conditioning Mist before brushing or manipulating hair strands.
Removing platted or braided hair, when it is dry. Like above, it is best to manage natural hair when it is damp as it’s easier to manipulate than when it is dry and brittle. Therefore it is best to use the Kui Leave in Conditioning Mist just before loosening hair styles.
Different types of split ends/ damaged hair strands
2. Split ends: This is breakage from when the hair strand has split from the original strand. This can lead to the hair to split all along the hair strand until it splits completely into very thin broken hair. Once a hair strand is split it cannot be mended, and it would need to be trimmed. The best way to do this is with a sharp hair scissors to prevent any further breakage on the hair strand.
3.Knots: Natural hair, as it is very curly, is very prone to tangling on itself and knotting. Once a knot is formed it is very difficult to remove it and of course, brushing a knot in your hair will tear your hair strands. A good way of reducing the number of knots formed is to wash your hair in sections. This means dividing the hair into 4 or more sections so that when you wash it, it cannot tangle with other sections.
To remove knots, once it is formed, use a sharp hair scissors to cut it out. Remember for properly conditioned hair which reduces the occurrence of split ends, use the Kui Moisturising Conditioner after Shampooing.
Once you have finished washing your hair, plat or twist it into sections while it dries or during styling, to prevent more knots occuring.
Why do we shed hair? The hair growth Cycle
The life cycle of a hair strand
There are three distinct hair growth phases:
1.The Anagen phase: This is the growing phase and it typically lasts lasts 4-7 years and 88% of our hair is typically in this phase at the same time. This phase reduces with age.
2. Catagen phase: This is the resting phase and typically lasts lasts 4 weeks- 4 months and 1% of our hair is typically in this phase at the same time.
3. Telogen phase ; This is the shedding phase and typically lasts 5- 7months. This phase increases with age.
Between the Telogen and Anaphase phase there is a short period called the Exogen phase and this can last 5-7 months. During this period your hair root is preparing for a new strand. This affects approximately 80% of your hair. On average we all shed approximately 50-100 strands a day.
Your hair growth cycle can be optimised with a good diet (with good protein/biotin and regular multivitamin intake) , and good stress management.
So now you know, you do not need to panic every time you see hair strand on the floor. Access it and make the necessary adjustments! Have a great day all!
Love,
Kui