Okay, so THIS is NOT Normal (Pic inside)

[Te'TahHead]

Hi all...

A lil about myself..

I am 4/c and texlaxed about 4 inches. I am APL and about 1-1.5 inches away from BSL. The picture in my avatar is from December. I have a wet picture in my profile if you want to view that.

So, for the last 5 weeks I have been experiencing an abnormal amount of shedding. I went on to relax five weeks ago, using the same products and the shedding continued. I figured then it was due to me being on a 16 week stretch. I have continued to baby my hair from those 6 weeks and nada...

I am a co-washer so co-washing has helped with the shedding. Seeing how I texlax, my hair is virtually 4 inches fro under my ponytail. Well, I stopped co-washing bi-daily and started co-washing once a week and washing once a week; shedding has not stopped.

I live in FL, so it's not the weather.

How The BIG NO NO Happened:

I jumped on the Shikaikai bar last night (Thanks to Shishipoopoo *lighthearted humor ofcourse* ) And it stripped me something serious. I usually get slip from Sunsilk TLC so I used that and DC'ed. Took that bag off and my hair was TANGLED MESS!!! I tried to detangle an dmy hair laughed at that. Frantically, I reached for my beloved V05 Moisture milk and began to co-wash...ahhh... it was smooth again...BUT I LOST SO much hair. It's bad enough that I have been shedding but now this! I even saw a few breakage pieces y'all... I mean me and SO was digging hair off places in my body I didn't know it could go...

Then, when I came in.. I showed him this!

His exact words:
"Te' i'm suprised you ain't bald-head. I knew I been seeing way too much hayuh (southern exact) in that bathroom" Then, he went back to the game dually noting that my hair is way too brown.


Okay, so I am seriously wanting to go to the doctor. Is something wrong with me. I SHOULD NOT be shedding this much after 5 days of detangling. I am just freaking out because all these years of growing this hair and it is falling out!!!

*sigh*

Help me! Calm my nerves, any rec's, something!!!

 

[chavascandy]

I'm sorry to hear that. I have had a similar experience. Mines was due to over processing.

Just continue to pamper your hair. You should notice your hair coming back to life.....And maybe try not to stretch your relaxers for to long. That may have caused some of the breakage.

 

[Bosslady1]

damn...

Everybody go through shredding one time or another. Keep a hair journal and see if this is your pattern.

Either that or do a hard core treatment 'ala Aphogee or Aveda DR.

 

[belleama]

During the last 6 - 12 weeks have you started taking any new supplements (addng or removing something)? Changed eating habits? Changed any hair products (adding or taking something away)? What was your hair doing this time last year?

 

[Mrs. Verde]

Sorry to hear about the hair loss. I've read a few post where people have said garlic shampoo really helps with shedding. Good luck.

 

[Energist]

I jumped on the Shikaikai bar last night

Well one thing about using shikakai, is that your head needs to be heavily and I mean heavily oiled before you wash it out with any shikakai! Shikakai is a clarifier, it will most definitely strip the hair and create knots and tangles if there is no oil in the hair to keep some of the slip in place. Also it should only be lathered and massaged on the scalp where the cleaning is needed.

 

[vestaluv1]

Ok, knowing me, I would make an appointment with the doctor straight away.
We can speculate about what it could be but it's best to talk to the professionals.
Maybe he/she can give you a blood test (just to be sure) and take it from there.
Hope everything will be fine. I'm sure it will be .
Good luck.

 

[Mook's hair]

It could be seasonal shedding combined with the use of a different product.. There have been many recent threads posted about higher levels of shedding lately.

 

[PassionFruit]

Well one thing about using shikakai, is that your head needs to be heavily and I mean heavily oiled before you wash it out with any shikakai! Shikakai is a clarifier, it will most definitely strip the hair and create knots and tangles if there is no oil in the hair to keep some of the slip in place. Also it should only be lathered and massaged on the scalp where the cleaning is needed.

not only heavily oiled AFTER but also PRE-poo'd with some heavy oils

 

[belleama]

not only heavily oiled AFTER but also PRE-poo'd with some heavy oils

This shikakai thing is starting to sound like the devil incarnate.

 

[MizaniLocs]

I came in this thread clutching my pearls waiting to see "The BIG sheddage."

I'm slightly dissapointed. But seriously, it's not THAT bad IMHO. But you may want to excuse me, I shed like a dog so I may be biased.

When I was your length, I lost more hair than that on wash days.

I know you're on the PinkSkates challenge and that you're dieting so as I told you this morning, I think you need to step up your nutrient/vitamin game. Also, your lifestyle isn't the most stress-free. Full-time job, Master's program, cuddly kid, AND holding it down in the man department? You're like some kind of brown, (yet skinnier ) Superwoman. Whether you think so or not, stress may have something to do with it.

I'm only saying the above because you said it isn't normal for you. But IMHO, that looks like a healthy amount of shedding for someone that combs only once per week and is less than 2 inches away from BSL. Put it like this; If I had that much shedding, I'd be estatic!

 

[MizaniLocs]

PS:

With shedding there isn't much that you can do externally to help it. The root of shedding is usually internal. The two most common causes of shedding tend to be nutrient/vitamin deficiency and stress. Nothing topical will help alleviate something that stems from the "inside."

Personally, I say step up your water game and go get some multi-vitamins. Brand/price doesn't matter because nutrients are nutrients. Just check the expiration date and look at the nutritional information to see the concentration of the vitamins.

Don't worry. You won't be bald-headed. It could always be worse. Check out ya girl :

 

[SweetlyBlessed]

PS:

With shedding there isn't much that you can do externally to help it. The root of shedding is usually internal. The two most common causes of shedding tend to be nutrient/vitamin deficiency and stress. Nothing topical will help alleviate something that stems from the "inside."

Personally, I say step up your water game and go get some multi-vitamins. Brand/price doesn't matter because nutrients are nutrients. Just check the expiration date and look at the nutritional information to see the concentration of the vitamins.

Don't worry. You won't be bald-headed. It could always be worse. Check out ya girl :

This pic has given me some relief in a way. Shedding is the debil!!! I tried the garlic wash and I don't think that was good for me - think my hair doesn't like oils like that but we shall see...

 

[Te'TahHead]

During the last 6 - 12 weeks have you started taking any new supplements (addng or removing something)? Changed eating habits? Changed any hair products (adding or taking something away)? What was your hair doing this time last year?

Um... now thinking of it, yes. I have loss 5 lbs due to doing low carb. OMG this could be IT!!!! When I first started though, which was in March it didn't happen. Do you think that it would take this long to start doing this?

I'm sorry to hear that. I have had a similar experience. Mines was due to over processing.

Just continue to pamper your hair. You should notice your hair coming back to life.....And maybe try not to stretch your relaxers for to long. That may have caused some of the breakage.

Girl, i will continue to baby it. I doubt I was overprocessed seeing how my hair is still a fro on top of new growth. erplexed Do you have any suggestions for pampering?

damn...

Everybody go through shredding one time or another. Keep a hair journal and see if this is your pattern.

Either that or do a hard core treatment 'ala Aphogee or Aveda DR.

Girl, I did Aveda last week and mixed it with my Sunsilk this week.... Thank you for your thoughts. The journal sounds good!

Well one thing about using shikakai, is that your head needs to be heavily and I mean heavily oiled before you wash it out with any shikakai! Shikakai is a clarifier, it will most definitely strip the hair and create knots and tangles if there is no oil in the hair to keep some of the slip in place. Also it should only be lathered and massaged on the scalp where the cleaning is needed.

Okay, so where were YOU when I was in that thread? How about, I didn't know this!! Thank you for letting me know. I usually don't pre-poo so maybe this isn't for ME. Gracias Chica!!!

 

[Te'TahHead]

PS:

With shedding there isn't much that you can do externally to help it. The root of shedding is usually internal. The two most common causes of shedding tend to be nutrient/vitamin deficiency and stress. Nothing topical will help alleviate something that stems from the "inside."

Personally, I say step up your water game and go get some multi-vitamins. Brand/price doesn't matter because nutrients are nutrients. Just check the expiration date and look at the nutritional information to see the concentration of the vitamins.

Don't worry. You won't be bald-headed. It could always be worse. Check out ya girl :

perplexed





Okay, it could be worse. But in regards to your post. How long have I been doing these thins? It's been over a year since I been juggling these duties. Why now? Ya know...

You got me thinking about taking hose hair vitamins again. But, those things keep weight on me. I need to just eat a healthier diet.

 

[1QTPie]

I can't see the picture from work. But is it SHEDDING or BREAKAGE? There is a difference? If it's breakage, it may be your products or routine or over-processing.

If it's shedding it could be hormonal, stress, supplements etc.

First examine the hair, look for the white bulbs on the end, determine the length to know if it it's shedding (which is much more serious) versus breakage.

 

[MizaniLocs]

perplexed





Okay, it could be worse. But in regards to your post. How long have I been doing these thins? It's been over a year since I been juggling these duties. Why now? Ya know...

You got me thinking about taking hose hair vitamins again. But, those things keep weight on me. I need to just eat a healthier diet.

Well w/o being too personal, you've been going through LOTS of radical changes. Your life seems to be changing A LOT right now.

Yeah you've been juggling for a couple of years now, but you haven't been undergoing the stress that you're going through that whole time.

PS: That was 2 wks worth of shedding.

As long as it's not breakage I don't trip. There's not much that I can do. Went to the doctor last week and I'm healthy as a horse. My hair always go through shedding spurts like this. And they ALWAYS pass.

 

[MizaniLocs]

I can't see the picture from work. But is it SHEDDING or BREAKAGE? There is a difference? If it's breakage, it may be your products or routine or over-processing.

If it's shedding it could be hormonal, stress, supplements etc.

First examine the hair, look for the white bulbs on the end, determine the length to know if it it's shedding (which is much more serious) versus breakage.

I LURVE your youtube tutorials BTW! They're very helpful and I like the way you didn't just show how you did your hair, you dropped lots of knowledge too.

 

[CenteredGirl]

Hey T,

I too experienced lots of shedding on wash day a couple of weeks ago. So, I stopped combing my hair in the shower.

Rather, I started to I part hair in four, spritz each section lightly before prepoo, and wide comb through from ends to root very gently. Then I bantu knot it overnight. I wash in sections and don't use comb at all.

Haven't had any abnormal shedding since.

 

[JustKiya]

perplexed





Okay, it could be worse. But in regards to your post. How long have I been doing these thins? It's been over a year since I been juggling these duties. Why now? Ya know...

You got me thinking about taking hose hair vitamins again. But, those things keep weight on me. I need to just eat a healthier diet.

A lot of nutrient deficiencies take a while to show up - your body has to run through it's whole store of those nutrients first, ya know?
Also - could it be a seasonal shed? Is this the first year you've been paying serious serious attention to your hair?

Whatever it is, I hope you can figure it out.

And Mizanilocks - thank you for sharing that pic. I'll never worry about my shedding AGAIN. Danggone!

 

[silverlotus]

I came in this thread clutching my pearls waiting to see "The BIG sheddage."

I'm slightly dissapointed. But seriously, it's not THAT bad IMHO. But you may want to excuse me, I shed like a dog so I may be biased.

When I was your length, I lost more hair than that on wash days.

I know you're on the PinkSkates challenge and that you're dieting so as I told you this morning, I think you need to step up your nutrient/vitamin game. Also, your lifestyle isn't the most stress-free. Full-time job, Master's program, cuddly kid, AND holding it down in the man department? You're like some kind of brown, (yet skinnier ) Superwoman. Whether you think so or not, stress may have something to do with it.

I'm only saying the above because you said it isn't normal for you. But IMHO, that looks like a healthy amount of shedding for someone that combs only once per week and is less than 2 inches away from BSL. Put it like this; If I had that much shedding, I'd be estatic!

Agreed. I looked at the pic and was like that's it?! It really isn't that bad. If you're that worried go to a doc & see what they say. Like Miz said, you prolly just need a multi.

It could also be seasonal. Were you paying close attention to your hair this time last year?

 

[CHEEKQUEEN]

Hey Tay,
Sorry this is happening to you girl. I had the same issue with yesterdays wash. I was sitting here thinking what the heck is wrong with my hair. It was a lot lost. Especially since I don't have that much hair. LOL! Did you check to see if it was shedding or breakage? I looked at the hair that I lost and most of it had the cuticle bud. So I know that it is shedding. I remember the same thing happend to me around this time last year. I think it also may be due to your long relaxer stretch. Could it be stress? It has been so hot lately. I also notice the browning of my hair. Now that I am transitioning I find it very helpful to place my hair in 4 loose plaits in order to wash and condition my hair. I also detangle using these same 4 sections. I don't rub hair just very gently but making sure to get the scalp clean. You might find that to be easier. If you did that much detangling for that many days it also may be due to that. I hope you find the source of the problem.


P.S. TayTay, you look hot! Can I borrow that waist?!?!?!? I need to get on the ball, you are making me jealous girl.

 

[Te'TahHead]

Hey Tay,
Sorry this is happening to you girl. I had the same issue with yesterdays wash. I was sitting here thinking what the heck is wrong with my hair. It was a lot lost. Especially since I don't have that much hair. LOL! Did you check to see if it was shedding or breakage? I looked at the hair that I lost and most of it had the cuticle bud. So I know that it is shedding. I remember the same thing happend to me around this time last year. I think it also may be due to your long relaxer stretch. Could it be stress? It has been so hot lately. I also notice the browning of my hair. Now that I am transitioning I find it very helpful to place my hair in 4 loose plaits in order to wash and condition my hair. I also detangle using these same 4 sections. I don't rub hair just very gently but making sure to get the scalp clean. You might find that to be easier. If you did that much detangling for that many days it also may be due to that. I hope you find the source of the problem.


P.S. TayTay, you look hot! Can I borrow that waist?!?!?!? I need to get on the ball, you are making me jealous girl.

Hey girl~!!!!!

Your hair is looking GREAT!!!!!

Sounds like we are having the same problem; even the discoloring. I was JUST telling the mister that I was gonna get in touch with you and Mrs. Raines so we can all get a blow out in Tampa! Since you are transitioning, is this something you are up for?

Okay, so thank you all. I am through freaking out, for now. I am going to straighten it and see if it looks thinner.