ExpectoPatronum
September 5th, 2014, 06:14 PM
So, for as long as I've been keeping track, I've always been a "heavy" shedder. It seemed like my hair just didn't like being attached to my head! Every time I combed, the bathroom floor would be littered with hairs. I couldn't run my fingers through my hair without it getting snarled on strands that decided to jump from my scalp. Wash days? I'd have a hair ball nearly the size of my palm. I legitimately wondered sometimes how I wasn't bald. Sure, my hair was a lot thinner in comparison to how it was when I was younger - but I thought that was normal.
Still, I tried some things to see if I could maybe reduce my shedding. I don't know about you, but I just didn't like seeing 150 hairs in the shower and another 50 or so after combing, and another 50 after braiding.
I looked at my diet, I tried combing less, combing more, scalp massages with and without oil, not combing at all, different shampoos and cleansing methods, dietary supplements, tea rinses...everything! Some things DID improve my shedding a little, but it was never enough for me to continue.
Instead of getting discouraged, I just kind of accepted that I was one of those people who just shed a lot.
Fast forward a few months later. A little over a week ago, I started birth control to help with my periods - which are painful and heavy to put it lightly. A couple of days ago, when I was washing my hair, I noticed that my hair ball wasn't quite as monstrous as it usually was. It was still kind of large, but not scarily so. I did a little blog post about it, wondering if it was because of BC or if it was just a fluke. But over the last few days, I noticed less and less hair coming out going about my day to day hair stuff. I noticed I was shedding less when combing and was losing fewer hairs than normal when braiding.
However, I washed my hair today and...Guys. I think I finally found the "cure" to my excessive shedding. I counted my hairs I lost in the shower...and it was...35! 35 hairs compared to the 100-150 I'd normally lose! I have to say I'm very very pleased! :joy:
I never would have guessed my hair shedding issues were related to hormones. This just goes to show that if you're experiencing issues with your scalp and hair, it could be a sign that something is up! It's worth it to make an appointment to get checked out to make sure everything internally and externally is functioning as it should.
Still, I tried some things to see if I could maybe reduce my shedding. I don't know about you, but I just didn't like seeing 150 hairs in the shower and another 50 or so after combing, and another 50 after braiding.
I looked at my diet, I tried combing less, combing more, scalp massages with and without oil, not combing at all, different shampoos and cleansing methods, dietary supplements, tea rinses...everything! Some things DID improve my shedding a little, but it was never enough for me to continue.
Instead of getting discouraged, I just kind of accepted that I was one of those people who just shed a lot.
Fast forward a few months later. A little over a week ago, I started birth control to help with my periods - which are painful and heavy to put it lightly. A couple of days ago, when I was washing my hair, I noticed that my hair ball wasn't quite as monstrous as it usually was. It was still kind of large, but not scarily so. I did a little blog post about it, wondering if it was because of BC or if it was just a fluke. But over the last few days, I noticed less and less hair coming out going about my day to day hair stuff. I noticed I was shedding less when combing and was losing fewer hairs than normal when braiding.
However, I washed my hair today and...Guys. I think I finally found the "cure" to my excessive shedding. I counted my hairs I lost in the shower...and it was...35! 35 hairs compared to the 100-150 I'd normally lose! I have to say I'm very very pleased! :joy:
I never would have guessed my hair shedding issues were related to hormones. This just goes to show that if you're experiencing issues with your scalp and hair, it could be a sign that something is up! It's worth it to make an appointment to get checked out to make sure everything internally and externally is functioning as it should.