Why You're Losing Your Hair — And What You Can Do About It
Breakage and shedding are some of the most researched and talked-about topics in Black hair care, for both men and women. There are many reasons your hair might be falling out, and the first step in fixing it is understanding why it's happening in the first place.
Hair growth starts with strong internal foundations. Hormone levels, vitamin and mineral intake, and hydration are three major internal factors that, when out of balance, can lead to slowed growth, breakage, or excessive shedding.
Hormonal changes affect everyone — including men — and can lead to thinning and increased hair fall. Meanwhile, a lack of vitamins, minerals, or protein can mean your body doesn’t have the building blocks it needs to grow strong, healthy hair. For example, low iron or insufficient protein may result in hair that grows weak and breaks off easily, leaving short, brittle strands. Dehydration makes things worse by reducing elasticity and increasing brittleness.
What You Put On Your Hair Matters Too
Products play a big role in your hair’s strength and ability to retain length. The right ones can protect and support growth — and the wrong ones can do real damage.
Isopropyl alcohol, found in many gels and sprays, evaporates quickly after application, but in doing so, it strips moisture from your scalp and hair. This leads to dryness, breakage, and flaking.
Petrolatum, a cheap filler commonly used in hair greases and pomades, creates a barrier on your scalp and strands. Not only is it a potential carcinogen, but it also blocks moisture from getting in.
And Then There’s Manipulation
Damage isn’t just about what you use — it’s also about what you do. Tight styles, heavy extensions, or constant tension from wigs and twisting can all create stress on the follicles. Over time, this can cause the follicular sheath to detach, leading to permanent damage or even scarring of the follicle. Protective styling is great, but it needs to be gentle.
So, What Can You Do?
Finding balance is key. While it’s tempting to go all in on styling for aesthetics, you don’t have to give up fun looks to grow healthy hair. It’s about supporting recovery in between.
Maintain a consistent vitamin regimen. One of my go-to suggestions is spirulina — a powerful sea algae that slowly boosts iron and overall vitamin levels without the constipation that can come with other supplements. Always pair supplements with plenty of water.
Reduce tension. Try styles that leave edges out at first and gently tuck them in afterward. Less strain = better long-term growth.
Use products made for moisture and strength.
Afrodisiac Naturals is specially formulated for growth in dry climates like ours. Here are a few of our staples:
Golden Cream: With shea butter, rice bran oil, and carrot seed oil, it protects the scalp and nourishes strands from root to tip.
Spray Leave-In Conditioner: Loaded with silk amino acids, hydrolyzed rice protein, and vitamin B, it conditions, strengthens, and helps restore elasticity.
Grow Oil:A powerhouse blend of Indigenous plant knowledge from Africa and Turtle Island, Grow Oil is handcrafted to help restore density and vitality to thinning areas.
Many of the herbs in our products are grown and infused by hand, with care and intention. Because healthy hair isn’t just a trend — it’s a journey.
