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If you’ve worked hard to grow out and care for your natural curls, finding a bald spot can be devastating. If you don’t know what’s causing you to experience curl loss, it can also be worrying. Bald spots or thinning curls can indicate underlying health problems, such as alopecia, hair loss, pregnancy, environment, age, diet and stress.
A small spot can easily become larger within a matter of weeks if its not immediately attended to. If the problem is ignored, it is highly unlikely that your curls will grow back in the affected area. The most common cause of balding is alopecia areata, which presents in small, circular bald spots. Alopecia is an autoimmune disorder which causes an overproduction of T-cells in your body, which attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.
What to do if you find a bald spot:
Don’t panic: Before you reach for an over the counter treatment, schedule an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist. A doctor will be able to help you figure out what’s contributing to your curl loss and what you need to move forward with healthier hair. While your hair dresser is knowledgable, they are not qualified to make a diagnosis regarding hair loss.
Remove protective styles: If you tend to wear your curls in protective styles that pull, like tight braids or twists, remove them immediately. You may be suffering from Traction Alopecia, which is caused by curls being pulled too tightly. Tension is created on the curls, which pulls them from the follicle.
Evaluate your curl care regime: Curl breakage is often caused by over styling, pulling and incorrect detangling or styling techniques. Examine your curl care regime to see if anything you are doing is contributing to your curl loss. Limit your use of heat, as heat tools can aggravate your scalp and curls.
Style gently: Avoid styles that over manipulate your curls, or pull them too tightly. Wear your curls loose and down when you’re able, or secure them loosely.
Have any of you experienced curl loss? If so, let us know what you did to get your healthy curls back.