Tight hairstyles, hormonal imbalance and postpartum stress are just a few causes of alopecia and temporary hair loss. If you have ever struggled with a bald spot or thinning edges, you know just how frustrating it can be to try and grow these areas back.
Hairstyles do not turn out the same when your edges are not intact. Protective styling can be a double-edged sword if it’s installed too tightly, as this can cause even more harm.
You might be experiencing stress or maybe postpartum hair loss in full effect. Whatever the cause for your temporary hair loss, believe me, there is hope.
You might have to follow some guidelines for a couple of months but your hair can and will grow back.
I hope that the following tips and tricks make the journey a little easier.
1. Identify the problem with alopecia and hair loss
It’s hard to recognise hair loss in the early stages. We often realise something is wrong when the third or fourth detangling session left us with a huge ball of shedding hair.
By then, the damage is visible and we have to try and identify what is causing it. Are you going through a stressful period and your body is adjusting the best it can?
Have you been wearing your hair too tight, pulling it or manipulating it a whole lot lately?
Are you going through a postpartum experience and your hair is falling out uncontrollably?
Maybe you haven’t been eating a balanced diet and lacking crucial vitamins has caused anaemia.
There are many causes of hair loss or temporary alopecia. However, in order to treat the problem, we need to identify it first.
2. Patience is key
You have heard it many times, growing back edges takes time, especially if you have experienced traction alopecia (alopecia due to strain and tightness on the area).
The follicles have been strained or damaged and it takes them time to heal and be productive again. In the case of postpartum shedding, you will experience drastic hair loss for a couple of months, then your hair will slowly and steadily start to grow back. You might also find yourself in an awkward in-between stage.
However, don’t despair. It only lasts for a little while until the new growth catches up with the rest of your hair.
3. Treat the problem
Once we have understood the root cause of our hair loss and we’ve come to terms with the fact that it might be a longer journey, it is time to establish our game plan:
- If you are experiencing traction alopecia from tight hairstyles and over manipulating styles, try and leave your hair alone as much as possible. Soft styles like braid-outs and twist-outs that do not require much manipulation once the style is set are a good option. You can also completely tuck your hair away using protective styles such as up-do’s or hiding it under a wig for a while.
- With postpartum hair-loss, it really is a waiting game but you can apply the same tactics as you would with traction alopecia. Your hair will be fragile and manipulating it too much can cause breakage. Try eating a balanced diet and drinking lots of water. Some women continue to take their prenatal vitamins to combat possible anaemia.
- If your hair loss is stress induced, the key word is: relax! Take some time off, pamper yourself and give your nerves a break. Your hair and your whole body will thank you for it.
Try our Harvest Hair Growth Pack, it will boost your efforts and assist you in growing your hair back.
