The Main Causes of Hair Loss in Black Women and How They Can Be Prevented?

African American women encounter hair loss as frequently as other women - the only difference is a lot of it is self-inflicted without your realization. Some of the causes on hair loss in black women are uncontrollable, such as age or genetic factors. However, some of these reasons are caused due to the constant stress given to the hair from too much manipulation.

Naomi Campbell's picture was plastered all over the newspapers, magazines and internet a few months back due to the large balding patch spotted on the side of her head. Naomi is suffering from traction alopecia, not just on the sides, but at the frontal hair line and back of her head too. Traction alopecia in Naomi's case has been caused by years of consistently wearing weaves that are too tight. When your hair is braided tightly, not only is it painful, but it weakens your hair shaft, stretches your hair strands and eventually tears it from your scalp

Other common causes of hair loss in black women include:

* Cornrows and weaves * Over processing the hair through chemical relaxers, hot combs, perming, and coloring * The glues that are used in weaves * Clogging the hair follicles with heavy conditioners and other oily products

The first step she should take is to perform a background analysis of your lifestyle (i.e. her diet, exercise, overall lifestyle) with a dermatologist. This analysis allows the common hair loss causes in black women to be eliminated. The next step should be for you to cease the use of the products and hair styling processes that put strain on your hair. Reduce the weaves, cornrows and relaxers if possible. Although it can be a daunting search, finding a hair stylist who can minimize your problem without sacrificing your overall style is an imperative step. There are a lot of hair styles you can do that add no strain on your hair. Choosing a simple hairstyle can allow your scalp to have time to heal itself. Additionally, a dermatologist may prescribe certain antibiotics to reduce the inflammation that occurs in the hair follicles. Receiving the right diagnosis as to the cause of your hair loss will enable you to choose the right course of treatment.

Finally, you may need to alter the hair products that you use on her hair. Avoid all products that contain mineral oil, sodium lauryl sulphates, sodium laureth sulphates and parabens. Although found in your everyday hair oils, shampoos and conditioners, these are the most harmful products for your scalp. They block your pores, preventing your hair from growing, cause irritation to the skin and dissolves the natural oils on your skin, causing a drying effect. You may want to consider switching to shampoos and conditioners that are created from all natural products.

Products that contain certain natural ingredients like garlic extracts or aloe vera, can counteract and treat the common causes of hair loss in black women. Similarly, natural herbs and oils, like coconut oil and Vitamin E, can provide an African American woman's hair with the extra conditioning it needs without clogging hair follicles with unnecessary grease and oils.