While shedding a few hairs daily is typical, losing hair at an extensive rate can leave us frustrated and particular hairstyles can cause that, like braids.
That’s why if you have braids and are shedding excessive hair, you might ask yourself, “why does my hair shed so much after braids: normal Shedding or unusual Loss?”
The reason behind your losing too many hairs when you have braids as your primary hairstyle is traction. Braids require your hair to be pulled, tugged on, and tied very tightly. This strains the ends of your hair, damaging your hair follicles and making your hair fall out.
If you have braids and are worried about the amount of hair you are shedding, you have come to the right place. We’ll talk in-depth about why braiding causes shedding and how you can avoid it.
Are Braids the Cause of Excessive Hair Shedding
Yes. As mentioned before, braids require your hair to be tied too tightly, which damages your hair follicles and causes hair fall. Wearing braids too tightly and for too long leads to excessive shedding due to the constant tugging and pulling on your hair.
This constant tugging and pulling of your hair is also the reason behind a condition known as traction alopecia. Traction alopecia causes your hair to fall starting from the hairline and can cause permanent damage to your hair follicles and baldness.
Weight distribution in braided hairstyles plays a crucial role in minimizing hair shedding. It is important to ensure that the weight of the braids is evenly distributed across your scalp to reduce tension on individual hair follicles.
Your braids may bring more spontaneity to your hair, but it needs to be done correctly. Otherwise, it’ll cause your hair to break and shed unusually.
Is it Normal to Shed Hair After Braids? How Much Loss is Too Much
If you see a couple of your hair falling out daily, you needn’t worry. Shedding a few hairs every day is normal and not the same as permanent hair loss. And we’ve enough hair on our heads to cover up for that shedding.
Most humans have around 80,000-1,20,000 hairs on average, and according to a study done in 2020, about 10-15% of our hair follicles remain in a resting state. This means your hair will fall, giving new hair a chance to grow.
Hair shedding usually means your hair will regrow from your scalp follicles because our hair is constantly growing. And our hair grows faster than it falls.
On the other hand, hair fall means your hair follicles have or are closing, and this causes your hair to keep falling, gradually leading to baldness.
Hair shedding is a natural process, so a healthy person loses some hair daily. But hair shedding can go unnoticed if you have braids, as most of the hair you shed sticks to your braids.
So if you see a lot of hair falling out when you open your braids or are shampooing your hair, you don’t need to worry about it much. People with short hair usually don’t notice the shedding of their hair.
But people with long hair might notice a lot of hair in their bathrooms, hairbrushes, or clothes. If your hair fall seems excessive, you should see a doctor.
How Much Hair Shedding is Normal
As hair shedding is a natural and normal process, and we lose about 50-100 hairs daily, a little hair fall isn’t something you need to be concerned about. But if you lose more than 125 hairs per day, it’s considered to be not normal, and you should see a doctor.
To avoid excessive hair fall, brush your hair gently and with care, as too much of it can also be a reason for hair fall.
What Causes Hair Shedding
If you are losing hair at a concerning rate, there might be a lot of underlying reasons behind it. They usually fall under the following reasons:
- If you fail to take care of your hair correctly, it can lead to hair breakage and fall. This is why you need to moisturize your hair properly.
- If you’re under a lot of stress, or if your hair lacks the proper nutrition to grow properly, it’ll start falling off.
- Hormonal changes can cause excessive hair fall. If you suffer from hormonal imbalance or hormone changes, your hair follicles might stop growing hair. This condition is known as telogen effluvium. Besides hormone changes, pregnancy, childbirth, and a change in contraceptive pills can also cause hair fall.
- Continuously having tight and uncomfortable braids is also a big reason behind hair fall.
- If you color, curl, straighten, or brush your hair too much, it can weaken your hair strands, causing hair breakage and fall.
Best Ways to Reduce Hair Shedding and Loss in Women
If you’re suffering from excessive hair fall, the first thing you need to do is to stop having hairstyles that are too tight. These may include braids, ponytails, and tight waves. Try loose hairstyles instead, as they are less tough on your hair.
Also, undo your braids every once in a while to let your hair breathe. Avoid tight buns and change your hairstyle often. This allows both your hair to look fresh and to recover from damage.
Know that rosemary oil helps if you are suffering from excessive hair fall. Vegetables, meat, and fruits carry the nutrition your hair needs to grow properly, so eat a lot of them! And lastly, try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep daily as it recharges your mind and body.
Apart from these, using products made strictly from plants and other natural substances is better for your hair and helps against hair breakage and fall.
Conclusion
Hair shedding and hair fall are normal, but they can both be a cause for concern if they happen at an alarming rate. Losing your hair can cause a lot of frustration and mental stress as well. If you find yourself asking, “Why does my hair shed so much after braids: Normal Shedding or Unusual Loss?” you might be one of those who suffer from these.
If you want to get rid of your hair loss problems, and have healthy, luscious hair, take proper care of your hair. You can follow the abovementioned steps to maintain healthy hair and remain stress-free.
