Shedding vs. Breakage

You hair will NEVER grow evenly! No matter how even you trim it, even if you do a big chop, it doesn't mater... It NEVER will! Why? Because 90% of your hair is in the active phase, it sheds and regrows, and the other 10% is in the resting phase. Your hair stays in that phase for 2 to 3 months and then it sheds... and thus begins the active phase. Unfortunately for you, it's not synchronized.


Shedding is completely natural! Your hair needs to shed in order to regrow. Every day we lose a certain (God given) amount of hair, and when you don't comb (finger combing is just fine) through your hair at least once everyday, at the end of the week it may SEEM like your hair is falling out. A lot of people say that, but really what it is is just your hair that was shed, forming clumps, waiting to be combed out. If you wanna check if you have any clumps waiting to be removed, here's a simple process:


1. Moisturize your hair with conditioner, water or moisturizer.
2. Gently run your fingers through small sections of hair. (Be thorough)


And that's all it takes! SN: try not to finger comb on dry hair because you may form knots easier.


How do I know if it's shedding and not breakage?
Mind you, breakage is totally different! If your hair is breaking, you are being far too rough, and you need to ease up on your hair! The difference is also quite simple. If you see white roots at one end of your hair strand, you can rest east... you're shedding. If not, then yeah.. ease up!


How do I prevent breakage?
The number one way to prevent breakage is to trim your hair! Split ends & dead ends are THE WORST!  You don't have to trim every single week, but if you trim off the bottom 1/2 or 1/4 inch at least once a month, you should be okay. (Granted this totally depends on how dry your scalp/hair generally is.) The hair at the ends of each strand of hair is the first to die. If you keep it well moisturized, they live a relatively long, happy life. If your hair is dry all the time, and you leave it that way, BELIEVE ME, you WILL get split/dead ends and your hair WILL break. Always, ALWAYS moisturize!
Another, very key way to prevent breakage is to reduce the amount of heat put to your hair. Keep in mind that your ends are already living to die. The addition of heat does no good to them, whatsoever. No heat is awesome, but we all (me included) love to straighten, curl, blow dry (etc) our hair. Breakage is inevitable, but it is controllable! 
Also, what you sleep on & wrap your hair with plays a part in breakage. Satin bonnets/head wraps & even a satin pillow case is preferred. You'll get reduced friction and in turn, less breakage. 
And finally, if you KNOW your ends are unhealthy, don't think about how much you're trimming, think about how much healthier your hair will be once it grows back. Your hair will LOVE you for it!


Hope this helps someone :)