There used to be articles on LHC you could read about this sort of thing, but since the crash they've changed things and it seems the articles haven't quite come back yet. I hope in time they will.
Check out this link:
http://www.hairfinder.com/hairquesti...achinghair.htm
I don't remember the article I read word for word, but that one is close to what I remember. Basically, bleach opens up the cuticle of your hair, exposing the cortex, which is where your natural hair pigment is kept. Then there is a chemical reaction that removes the pigment, at which point you wash the bleach out. Fact is, once the cuticle is opened, it never sits down exactly right. There are some shampoos and conditioners/treatments that can temporarily "fix" the cuticle, but it won't last.
This link has nice pictures and diagrams of what I'm trying to explain:
http://afrokinkilove.tumblr.com/post...hair-look-like
The cuticle is what protects the cortex and basically what keeps the hair together. So you would definitely expect some shedding. So for your first question, yes, the bleach is definitely you're culprit. By the way, I like your natural color better
Prenatal vitamins, or just regular vitamins will definitely help. But you have to realize that the vitamins won't affect the hair you already have, just the new growth.
I went through the same exact problem with my hair dresser. Every time I needed a little trim they would take off three inches and then say if it didn't my hair would stop growing or some outrageous thing like that. I trim my own hair now, and I only take off about 1/4 inch every month. There are different methods of self trimming you can research on the LHC.
In terms of products, I would buy a nice drugstore deep conditioning treatment like aussie's three minute miracle or something like that, and I personally am in love with coconut oil. I use it almost daily, and it makes my hair softer, shinier, and a lot less tangly.
Combing hair is better than brushing it usually, but many people use boar bristle brushes too. The best comb is a wooden comb with no catches for the hair to snag on.
Wearing it up could possibly help prevent further shedding!
Good luck! I tried to include all the best tips I could think of and answer all your questions
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