I am an african-american woman. I wash my hair every 2 weeks and I always lose a lot of hair while I shampoo..

Question

I am an african-american woman and my hair's length is past my shoulders. I relax my hair every 8-10 weeks. I wear my hair out during the day and I wrap my hair at night. I get a roller-set and a blow-out every 2 weeks. When I wash my hair every 2 weeks and I always lose a lot of hair while I shampoo, and afterwards I use a detangling conditioner and comb it through and i always end up with tons of hair in the comb, long strands. Can somebody tell me why this is happening or what I can do to minimize so much hair falling/shedding? Also, a week after I wash it, it starts to shed long strands, probably 50 hairs a day, is this normal and why does it start happening approximetly 7 days after I wash it? I am in desperate need, PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

You're probably not shedding hair, you're probably getting a lot of breakage. Try a really deep conditioner, maybe even a hot oil treatment when you wash it, and maybe in between, maybe once a week, which seems to be when the breakage starts.

Answer 2

That's breakage. And no, that amount is not normal. If your hair was shedding, which is normal, there would be a white bulb attached to the hair.

You should do a protein treatment. A hard-core one. I'd suggest Aphogee. Make sure you follow the directions exactly, or you'll end up with more breakage.

Also, how do you detangle? And what kind of comb do you use? You should use a wide-tooth comb, or even better, a Denman brush to detangle. And if possible, try to comb only when your hair is wet, and soaked in conditioner. It'll provide more "slip", making your hair easier to detangle.

Answer 3

Maybe you are washing more than is needed. Because African Americans do not create their own oils in their hair we are required to use hairdresses, greases, and oil products. I feel that you may be washing most of the oils out which could be drying out your hair. If you hair is naturally wavy or curly you can also wear your hair that way. Don't get a blow out too often and if your hair doesn't really need to be relaxed I'd recommend waiting a little bit longer. Professional chemicals are really strong. I sometimes just use an at home relaxer, no lye. Too all that heat can be really damaging. I see you are adamant about that but you don't have to be. I skip around sometimes my self and I still have a healthy head of hair, though its short, but by choice. And if you are wearing your hair loose during the day try using a moisturizing product that will protect it from the sun and be sure to wrap it with like Pink oil at night. Also try Doo-Grow products. They work wonders and Mane-n-Tail. Though Mane-n-Tail strips some of the hairs natural moisturizers, it will maybe replenish some hair loss. Be sure to condition. Hope this helps a bit. I understand how you feel. I freak out when I start combing too many strands out.

Answer 4

The average person loses approx 100 strands of hair every day. I learned this in cosmotology class. its normal. you may just think you are losing more because you dont wash it everyday. I wash, blow dry and flat iron everyday and I could make a wig with what is on the floor. Dont worry about it unless yo see big clumps of hair coming out in one area. Then go see a doctor.

Answer 5

I would suggest that you shampoo your hair once a week instead of once every two weeks. I'm saying this because my hair starts shedding alot when I go longer than one week without a shampoo and a good deep conditioner!

Answer 6

It may not be the products but the heat. Give your hair a break from the heat and see what happens. Also, everyone was not meant to relax their hair.

Answer 7

I had the same problems. I found this web forum where African American women talk about their hair. I find it to be very informative! This particular thread has a lot of information that can help you with your hair loss/breakage. I hope you find it helpful.
http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=22392

Answer 8

First off, you shouldn't be washing your hair every two weeks. African-American women don't need to wash their hair that much because when we do, we strip the hair of its natural oils that helps it grow.
Second, you could be losing a lot a hair because of stress so reevaluate your life.
Lastly, if your hair loss is really bad you should see a doctor