My Top 5 Tips to stop Shedding and Breakage

Helllloo Ladies! How's your healthy hair journey going? Are you accomplishing your goals, is your hair showing much progress?  Well I hope so!  But if not,  today I'd like to offer a little insight to help you along the way. Hair breakage is something many of us face when trying to grow and maintain our best hair.  It can be really  frustrating doing all you "know" to do only to get less than acceptable results. If you are going to have the best hair of your life breakage is something that you will have to get under control first.   When there is unexplained breakage and questionable shedding, not knowing what to do can further thwart your efforts to grow and maintain healthy hair.  Below are my top 5  proven methods to bring breakage and excessive shedding to a screeching halt! 

  

1. Pay Attention: The best way to thwart excessive breakage and shedding is to nip it in the bud before it gets far gone. Pay attention to what's going on with your hair as you handle it on a daily basis, or weekly, however often you are manipulating your hair. Try not to mindlessly go through your hair without watching the sink, your comb, or your hands.  Inspect to see if there are many short broken pieces.  Check for single strand knots, or if your hair seems to be shedding more than normal from day to day or week to week. When you pay attention early, you can adjust what you are doing as it's happening before breakage manifest its self in a large way!  Example: as I finger comb or take a detangling comb through my hair,  I watch my sink to see if anything is popping off. If I see a short piece of hair right away I can determine why that just happened and correct it. Most of the time it was because there was a single strand knot that just popped off and took a piece of my ends with it!  Or it was because I was yanking through my hair  rougher than I realized. I then immediately adjust what I am doing.  I either move slower or take my scissors and snip any knots I see or feel before combing through it.  I always have my scissors close by when going through my hair. That way, if I come across a single strand knot I can snip it instead of just ripping it off which can lead to split ends, more knots, and additional  breakage.


2.  Strengthen your hair: This really is my first tip, but unfortunately most people don't think of this step until after their hair is showing signs of breakage or excessive shedding. As I said, you want to stop all of this before it starts. Protein deep conditioning sessions and or Ayurvedic (Henna,Cassia, Amla etc.) treatments is a great way to strengthen your hair so that it will resist breakage. I strengthen with protein conditioners twice a month and with an Ayurvedic powder treatment every two months.


3. Keep hair moisturized: By moisturize I mean use water, or using a water based product before using an actual oil to seal. When consulting with my clients I  learn that many of them believe that oil alone is an acceptable sole means of moisturizing their hair. It is not. Oil is a lubricant and aids in making hair soft to the touch and  shiny etc. But it is not moisture. Feel your hair on a daily basis to assess your moisture level; this will help you determine how often you should moisturize. Everyone can have a different schedule. By simply touching your hair every day to assess moisture levels you can avoid dry, crunchy, or stiff hair.  Bottom line: Dry hair breaks!  Try not to handle your hair when it feels too dry because you will more than likely get some breakage.  (Bonus: keep heat and  chemical dye usage to a minimum, these things promote additional dryness. If your hair is already prone to dryness you are asking for a hard time in this area.)

4. Be Gentle: I know you hear this ALL the time. But sorry, it is true.  The health of our hair is preserved in the way it is being handled. Just like delicate clothing you can not bunch, wrinkle,overly stretch, or use too much heat if you want your clothing to last. Our natural hair is not as tough as it looks. All of the curls,coils, and kinks make it easy to snap or break when there is too much force applied. Sometimes we don't know our own strength, I am a witness! Work with your hair in smaller workable sections that are moisturized and pliable. Use products like natural oils or leave in conditioners to soften before you handle.

5. Protective style your hair: This tip is very crucial when dealing with our hair. I  personally experience the best success with my hair when I wear my hair protected. I know as grown women most of us want to wear our hair loose and out, in its full glory all the time. But truth is: Most of our hair can not handle that and continue to progress.  This can be controversial for so many naturals. Face it, no one wants to be told they can't wear their hair like they want and keep it healthy. We women always want the best of both worlds. Now if you can  get away with that and still show amazing progress lift your hands and say thank you Lord, because you have been blessed in that area! lol. But for the rest of us frequent protective styling is the best way to see continual progress in  health and in length retention. There are many ways to protect your hair.  Find one that fits you and your lifestyle. Twists and or  braids is what I typically opt for, and occasionally I wear  buns.  You can go a week at a time, weeks, or months depending on what you choose. But the less you handle and go through your hair the less breakage you will have, and the more length you will retain.  


There you have them! My top 5 tips to stop excessive shedding and breakage. Of course there are other things to consider like hormones or medications.  But these 5 basics have never failed me!

So what do you do to keep breakage and shedding to a minimum?


Well, until we meet again!  Keep it Healthy and Happy!

Hydratherma Naturals Line: It Meets all of my MUST HAVES!

Hydratherma Naturals  

 This is a very Smart Product Line!   

Ladies. If moisture and strength is what you are lacking then you may want to give this product line a try.

Super Soft moisturized hair after week 1 of using the line

Let me say now,   while I believe that products can greatly enhance the look, feel, and texture of your hair it will be your overall technique and consistency with your regimen that will most likely get you the hair you want. Also, I am not one to promote entire product lines because typically a lot of the products or circumstances surrounding it can be a hit and miss for me.  I've only done one other product line review in the 3 years that I've owned this blog so this should tell you something about me. I don't give praises freely to everyone pushing a natural hair care product line. 

I will begin by saying that not every product in this line is  100% natural.  However it is a  natural based product line, about 97% of the ingredients are natural.  Some of the products like the oils, the moisturizer, and some others are 100% Natural, while others my have a  mix or ingredients that are a derivative of natural ingredients.(They list every single ingredient on their website)  

Straight hair moisturized with their Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion

Hydratherma Naturals is owned and operated by Saleemah Cartwright, at http://www.healthyhairjourney.com/   I originally tried her products almost 4 years ago when I big chopped. I  recall being in love with the Moisture Boosting Deep Conditioner, the Daily Moisturizing Growth Lotion, and the Follicle Mist. 

Follice Mist used often to keep edges strong in protective styles

Over the years I held on to the spray but some how forgot how much of a miracle the conditioner is, and that is what lead me back 3 years later.  I decided to add more products from her line to my regimen, and found they work even better when you use them all together! 

Below are my honest thoughts about each of the products that I've tried, and have been using together for atleast 4 months now.  (Please be aware that I purchased all of these products with my own money, and I am not being compensated or rewarded in any way to give this review.)

The Moisture Boosting Deep Conditioning Treatment

I absolutely LOVE this conditioner primarily because it has a ton of slip and it allows me to detangle my hair with ease! My fingers glide through my hair. After  my deep conditioning sessions my hair is soft  very pliable and easy to manage.  If you've got tangles try this, its like liquid gold!

Follice Mist

This spray stimulates growth and prevents breakage it has silk amino acids in it as well so there's a mild protein fix. It's makes your hair  soft and also adds moisture.  I use this primarily to strengthen my edges.  I  use this twice a day when I am in protective styles to keep the roots of my hair strong. Its recommended that you massage the mist into your scalp to encourage growth. I've actually used this to successfully grow in thin spots on my hair line as well. For maintenance I continue to use this on my edges about every other day  to keep them thick and nice,  it does help!  

They have a few shampoos in their line to chose from. One with sulfates that complements the Moisture Boost Conditioner,  that a lot of people love. However, my hair is anti sulfates so I chose this Sulfate Free Moisture Plus Hair Cleanser.  I am not too crazy about how my hair feels once I rinse this out. I expected there to be a moisturizing feel and I didn't get that at all.  The  2 or 3 times that I cleansed with it my hair felt almost too clean, and  a little drier than what I'm use to. 

 However, I will say that once I add the Moisture Boosting Deep Conditioner my hair instantly becomes so soft and light! It feels like this cleanser is fully preparing my hair to receive the conditioner into my strands because there's nothing blocking the deep conditioner from doing its best job.    My hair feels super conditioned, there's definitely a difference in how my hair receives the conditioner when I use this.  If you can get past the initial dryness that your hair may feel after rinsing, and hold out for the Deep Conditioning magic that follows, its worth it!  I don't use this every time I cleanse but will if I feel my hair is really dirty. (Note:  I've noticed when using this cleanser on other natural ladies their hair doesn't always feel as "dry" as mine after the rinse. So this could just be with my hair texture, who knows!)

Protein Balance Leave in 

I really enjoy using this leave in.  I use to be afraid of it because it has "protein" in the name. I was convinced before using this that my hair was sensitive to proteins and thought it would make my hair hard or dry. But this isn't strictly a protein leave in conditioner. It is a balance of moisture and protein, and  this is what our hair MUST have a balance of to remain strong and prevent breakage so that we can see length retention.  The proteins in this are silk amino acids, and my hair has never experienced dryness from using this. I've learned that that my hair isn't protein sensitive.  I just had to find the type of proteins that my hair responds well to, which are silk amino acids or wheat proteins.  I've noticed this line has both types of protein. This is so mild you can use it several times a week or every night, as the directions suggest.    

Amino Plus Protein Deep Conditioner  

This conditioner makes my hair feel strong and soft at the same time. It really brings my hair to life.  I use it every other wash session too keep the protein and moisture balanced.  (If I feel I need more moisture or vice versa I use  my deep conditioners according to how my hair feels) I also used it when reverting my flat ironed hair back to its natural cotton, kinks, and curls..My texture just bounced back. 

This Hair Growth oil is light and feels very nourishing! Although it does a great job of sealing in moisture I can't really vouch for the "hair growth" claim. I've never used it for that. It does contains Emu oil, which I do believe has been connected to hair growth in several studies that I've read on the benefits of Emu oil.  Amazing Sealant, I don't use it always but when I do, I cherish it!  

Shine and softness! My hair was being sealed all week with this oil

This moisturizing lotion is awesome?  It makes my hair feel really soft and moisturized and not greasy. Its super creamy but feels light on my hair at the same time.  It also smells great, bonus! 

Here's this photo again enlarged to show you how moist my hair looks after using the Growth lotion all week.

Well, that's my review on the Hydratherma Naturals Line(prods that I've tried) She's has so many products that there has to be something in there for every hair texture!  If you like to use good products preferably from the same line you should give this a try.  This product line gets an A+  from me because it covers all of my " Must Haves" in a hair care line:  

•  Super moisturizing 
• Slip for detangling
• Retails locally
• Moderately priced

If one of these Must Haves  is missing in a product line, I find that I lose interest and stop using their entire line. 

 (Note: I do still use Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing smoothie when I'm putting in protective styles only.  I haven't tried any of  Hydratherma's styling aids yet,  but I will, so stay tuned!  : )  

What are some of your MUST Haves in a Product Line? 

Keeping Moisture in Your Hair

Freshly washed hair, no product...YET!

Most of us Kinky Curly Coily girls LOVE how our hair look and feel when it's been freshly washed and is still soaking wet with water. But what happens after it dries is just down right wrong,  IF you don't know how to lock in all of that moisture and keep the good feeling going!  Natural hair is very prone to dryness, and dry hair breaks! If  healthy hair and length retention is a goal for you, then you have to keep your hair moisturized. Make no mistakes  moisturized hair "FEELS" Moisturized. It took a lot of trial and error but I can truthfully say that I have learned how to KEEP my natural hair consistently moisturized and so can you!   Here are some tips that  work for my naturally dry hair.  

• Deep Condition with a natural deep conditioner after every wash (This improves the integrity of your cuticles, it takes moisture and/or  protein deep into the hair strand, and cold rinses locks this in, rinse with cold water) 
• Limit the use of shampoos or how often you shampoo, especially sulfate shampoos (Shampoos are made to remove dirt and OILS.. Our hair NEED oils, so if you shampoo too often, this could cause your hair to look and  feel drier. Other options are Apple Cider Vinegar rinses, or Co-washes)
• Limit heat styling (Tools like blow dryers and flat irons pulls moisture out of your hair, so if you are using them regularly you will experience dryer hair, and eventually splitting and breakage) 
•  Always deep condition after Henna, with a MOISTURIZING deep conditioner.  Henna or any type of Ayurvedic powder use to treat your hair can leave it feeling dry. (Put on a plastic cap and sit under a heat cap,  hooded dryer, thermal wrap, use whatever you need to get a good deep conditioning in after using these powders). 
• Use a Leave in Conditioner( All of mine are water based, creamy and natural. If your hair is very thick and/or coarse some of the thinner leave ins will not be moisturizing enough.  
• Apply a Water Based Moisturizer( I use natural moisturizers,  all water based. Oils and butters are not moisturizers)
• Apply oil after you moisturize, to lock in moisture(I've found that Extra Virgin Olive oil works best for my texture, its light enough to penetrate into the strand of the hair, and heavy enough to leave enough on top to lock in all the moisture that I just applied. ) 
• Finally, I add moisture to my hair every single day, at least once a day, and lock it in again with my oil. EVERY DAY.

Braid out that had been moisturized all week

*The key for me is to not let  my hair dry out.  How do you know when YOUR hair needs moisture? Just reach up and feel it?  Don't feel like you have to stick to a moisturizing "schedule." Let the way your hair feels dictate when it needs to be moisturized. (or you can add it every day to ensure it never goes dry)   Some women suffering from dryness have shared with me that they will go 2 or more days without adding moisture to their hair, and then wonder why it feels dry.  Our hair NEEDS moisture added, OFTEN.

How do I keep the good feeling going? 

Throughout the week when I am re-moisturizing my hair, I will sometimes spray my hair with a little water, add a  little leave in, moisturizer, and oil before bed.

If you really want to get a handle on dry hair, try these tips, and I can almost guarantee  that your hair will NOT be dry!

Well, Until Next Time!