Shedding vs. breakage is an excellent topic because many naturals inquire about their hair shedding.
Understanding the difference between hair breakage and shedding is an essential part of any healthy hair regimen. Adequately differentiate between these two particular hair forms of hair can effectively address even the smallest of your hair needs. This post will educate us on the difference between hair shedding and hair breakage and offer strategies to help you combat both hair problems.
What is shedding?
Hair shed is hair that has reached the end of its growing cycle and naturally falls from the scalp along with its tiny, white “root” attached. The end of the growth cycle is known as the Telogen or resting phase. This phase lasts for about 100 days for hairs on the scalp and much longer for hairs on the eyebrow, eyelash, arm, and leg.
During this phase, the hair follicle is ultimately at rest, and hair falls. Pulling out a hair in this phase will reveal a solid, hard, dry, white material at the root. It appears white because the hair stops producing melanin (color) before it gets ready to fall.
If a hair does not possess the white root bulb, it is not naturally shed hair but a broken one. Shed hair tends to be longer than broken hairs, which are generally short pieces of varying lengths.
If your actual hair root came out along with the hair, you would no longer be able to produce hair from that same place on the scalp ever again, resulting in a blad spot.
In general, shedding should not be a significant concern for you—a sign of a healthy, normal, functioning scalp. There is no need to fear shedding unless it is connected to a medical issue. If you notice rapid hair loss from shedding or hair loss accompanied by a host of other health problems, please consult a medical professional.
Keep in mind that there are particular periods in the human life cycle where shedding naturally increases. For example, women undergoing a bout of postpartum shedding after having a baby may have to deal with increased shedding for several months until their normal hormone levels return.
Other conditions that may increase your shedding rate are styling methods that stress the follicles, birth control/menstrual cycles/menopause, pregnancy, heredity (runs in the family), crash dieting/ low protein diets, and poor diet.
What is Breakage?
On the other hand, breakage is not natural and indicates an imbalance of fundamental forces within the hair strand. Broken hairs do not fall naturally from the head but are typically signs of mishandling or abuse. In the stages, before a hair ultimately breaks, the hair first becomes discolored and experiences cuticle loss. Eventually, the fibers begin to split, and finally, there is breakage.
Hair can be weakened by anything from rough handling and sun exposure to coloring and straightening chemicals. Breakage is also more familiar with a hair’s age; older hairs, usually the hairs nearest the ends, have the most significant tendency to break due to normal wear and tear. When breakage isn’t a response to physical manipulation and abuse, it may lack moisture in the hair strand. Other types of breakage may be caused by the over- structuring of the hair strand with protein treatments done in excess.
A prompt and proper response to breakage will help you stop breakage in its tracks.
Ways To Minimize Breakage
Moisture: Hair needs water to maintain its elasticity or ability to stretch. Since water is the ultimate moisturizer, water-based products are best to get the most significant moisture benefit. Products with moisturizing properties tend to be conditioners and other specific moisturizer sprays or creams. Good moisturizers will not contain filler ingredients like petrolatum, mineral oil, propylene glycol, or lanolin. If possible, try to avoid products that claim moisturizing benefits and contain these ingredients.
Seal In The Moisture: Our hair naturally contains moisture, but because our hair is naturally porous, keeping the moisture inside is difficult. The moisture you apply needs to hold in by something like an oil. Natural butters such as shea, mango, cupuacu or avocado butters work as well. A light coating of oil or butter after your daily moisturizer will help seal the moisture inside.
You will have to apply your moisturizer first because an oil alone does not moisturize within the hair shaft, with the exception of a very few oils, such as: coconut and jojoba. Oils can only coat the outside of the strand gives the illusion of moisture. If you apply an oil product to your hair before you have added a moisturizing product, you have created a seal on your hair strand that water and moisture cannot penetrate.
Remember to always handle your hair with care. Be sure to be gentle when brushing, combing, and even finger detangling your hair. It’s best to detangle on hair that is damp, while under the shower or with at least some natural oil applied to the hands, such as coconut, to help loosen tangles.
What to do when nothing seems to work?
If you are experiencing excessive amounts of ‘breakage,’ be sure to take a step back and access what you may be doing or not doing that causes it. Are you handling your hair gently? Have you tried the moisture? If all else has failed, try this:
Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove product build-up. Then follow up with a deep conditioner; clarifiers remove natural oils and moisture, so you must replenish.
Protein: Treat yourself to a protein treatment as well. Protein can help to strengthen the hair, especially if you have highly porous hair.
Deep Condition: with a moisture-based conditioner, add honey and extra virgin olive oil for an extra boost of nourishment.
I hope this helps. If you still find that you are having problems with breakage, please consult a medical professional.