My hair's breaking off please help

[Anonymous]

When I got pregnant, I expected the 50 lbs and the stretch marks. What I wasnt prepared for was for an area about the size of my fist to just break off no matter what I do. I'm an african american and while my hair's always been on the dry side... now I run my fingers through it and it feels about as supple as a handfull of straw. Please can anyone recommend their stylist in Rockville, SS, Chevy Chase, Bethesda or NW DC? I'm at the point where shaving my head and wearing a wig sounds reasonable... except that summer will be here soon and then it'd be too hot and itchy.

[Anonymous]

This does not sound normal to me at all. I think I'd call my OB first to find out what is causing it (he/she will probably send you to a dermatologist or another doctor). I wouldn't let a hairdresser mess with it at this point (unless you're talking about a corrective hairstyle to cover the balding area).

[Anonymous]

OP here. Its sorta like the time in high school when I got my hair colored. Because it was a ghetto salon that was more interested in money than anything else, I had a stylist who didnt take the time to show me how to care for my hair or even tell me that I'd have to be careful about it drying out. I ended up having to get it cut short and growing it out.

Now its about neck length, except for a big area in the back that's breaking off. It is balding abit around the temples, and I know I need to see a dermatologist about that. What I need though is, as you said a cut to sort of mitigate the damage.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP. A stylist will not be able to do anything for you except cut it (and go for it if you and to do that). I'm also African American and I experienced a lot of breakage after the birth of both of my sons. And I'm not talking about regular post-partum shedding (which I also had a lot of around the temples). I had (what felt like) a huge bald spot smack dab in the middle of my head. I went to an African American dermatologist who confirmed that this is normal among post partum African American women. My second son is now 12 months old and my oldest is 4.5. My hair had just got to an even length all over after my first round of breakage when it started all over again after my second son's birth. All you can do it wait it out and camouflage it. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Hi - Been there and doing that! I have a 3 month old! I just tried Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair Butter and Hair Milk and my hair became remrkably softer. There is a Carol's Daughter store in Pentagon City Mall on the third floor. As for the style i gave Hannah at Robert Lewis Salon in Montgomery Mall a shot and it woked out great..plus they use kerastase products.

One other thing that helped some was always tieing up mty hair at night

hope this helps

[Anonymous]

PP here i too am africian american and the hair loss and breakage sound normal

[Anonymous]

OP here. Well its a relief to know that its normal. I had two kids in as many years and I figured it was just the hormones and stress getting to me. I guess it didnt help matters that I didnt have the time to go to a salon, nevermind justifying the expense. Every other month or so when I could I'd just blow it out with one of those pick attachments and then flat iron it. I'd deep condition every time I washed my hair every other week and I even bought satin pillow cases because I sleep so hard that my scarf would always come off.

I don't mind getting it cut short, like Halle Berry-in-the-90's short. I HATE having to roll it up at nite and I don't have time for the curling iron every day(most days I'm lucky if I can take 15 whole minutes in the shower). I'd been flirting with the idea for awhile now but DH hates short hair. Oh well, he'll learn to cope.

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is quite annoying.. I am the poster that rec Carol's Daughter. With my fist child I went to the salon and had them cut it even; which put new meaning to the word short cut. The problem was that my body was still adjusting and I continued to shed and the hair still split which was even more traumatic since i had short hair to start. You may consider doing a light trim and just conditioning the heck out of your hair. The second time around I did a lot of wash and wear. I would wash my hair and put a leave in condition and head band and call it a day until i was sure my body was done. that really helped a lot. Good luck