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Hair Loss in African-American Women

african american woman hair loss

Hair loss in African-American women is a very real concern that too few people seem to really know about. Because hair is so strongly tied to not only our perception of ourselves but to the way people feel about a particular person, hair loss can be absolutely devastating for women if left unchecked.

Getting to the bottom of this phenomenon will help you both understand why it occurs and help you understand the steps that you can take to correct it as quickly as possible.

Identify the cause of hair loss

One of the most important things to understand about hair loss in women has to do with the difference between alopecia and traumatic alopecia.

Traditional alopecia is a term that is used to describe hair loss of any type. A woman who is experiencing hair loss is experiencing alopecia – these two terms are essentially synonymous.

Traumatic alopecia, however, is a much more specific situation where strands of hair become shorter and shorter as time goes on due to trauma or injury that the strand has experienced. This is also commonly referred to as hair breakage. In her series on the subject via the Huffington Post, Dr. Susan Taylor explains that traumatic alopecia is usually caused by excessive use of chemical relaxers or dyes, excessive heat application, and heavy frictional forces. Brittany Gatson of BlackDoctor.org also explains that hormonal changes – thyroid, PCOS, childbirth, and hormonal birth control – can contribute to changes in hair texture and breakage.

Not sure what kind of hair loss you’re suffering from? Madame Noire covers a few different kinds with accompanying images.

How to prevent hair loss

In order to combat hair loss in women, there are a number of very important practices to observe. Here are some tips we picked up with some info from the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD):

  • For starters, hair should only be washed either once per week or once every other week. This helps make sure that hair care products don’t build up on your scalp, which will only lead to the hair drying out and breaking over time.
  • Use conditioner each and every time you wash your hair for the best possible results. When using conditioner, African-American women should always pay close attention to the ends of the hair as these areas are the oldest and most fragile part of each individual strand.
  • When using hair care products on your hair, you’re always going to want to use ones that contain natural ingredients. Not only do hair care products with natural ingredients not lead to hair drying out, but they can actually help maintain moisture for longer periods of time. Natural hair care ingredients that you should always be on the lookout for include aloe vera juice, aloe vera gel, olive oil, shea butter, and glycerin.
  • Stay away from shampoos that contain sulfates and similar ingredients. These types of ingredients can lead to a woman’s hair drying out, which will lead to breakage and long term damage if a person washes her hair on a regular basis.

Treating existing hair loss

When dealing with hair loss in African-American women, one of the keys to treatment is catching the condition as early as possible. If hair loss isn’t identified quickly and properly treated, hair follicles can be replaced by various levels of scar tissue as time goes on. As a result, these types of hair loss can be not only permanent but disfiguring, as well.

Some of the main types of products used to treat these types of hair loss in African American women include anti-inflammatory medications. Topical corticosteroids are also often used to help get to the root of an issue and get it corrected as soon as possible.

Always consult your dermatologist on a regular basis to help identify any small issues that you may be experiencing before they become big ones. Oprah’s web team did a thorough run-down of some helpful medications and treatments here.

Identify your hair loss now and give your hair some love. You’ll prevent any further damage – and might even be able to restore your hair! Contact us today to discuss your options.

Schardein’s Salon is committed to education for hair loss and much more

It’s a Tuesday afternoon and there are close to 30 employees in Schardein’s salon but there are no client bookings. Why would this normally bustling salon block their appointment books for two hours every week? A commitment to education, that’s why.

Owner Steve Schardein had a dream, and it wasn’t just to run a salon, it was to create a place that could help his staff become better members of their community. “I’m trying to change the perception many people have that we’re ‘just hairdressers.’“ Steve says.

Schardein, who began in the industry in 1976, offers full-time employment to his stylists, offering professional education and encouraging his staff to carve out a career. His philosophy has made a difference in the lives of his employees and not just while they’re on the clock.

“We have four new homeowners and we have people getting married and starting families. That’s what I love to see,” Schardein says.

At a time when many businesses are cutting back hours so employees don’t get full-time, or reducing benefits, Schardein’s is creating a place where people can thrive and grow.

Six years ago Craig Jackson was sitting in a chair getting his hair washed when he decided he wanted to work at Schardein’s. He was a shy young man who had difficulty communicating with people. Now he’s not only a busy stylist, he’s one of the leaders at Schardein’s, confidently working with the public and guiding staff through training.

“The first time I came in here as a client, I knew I wanted to work here because of the positive vibe,” Jackson says. The benefits haven’t been lost on those close to him. “My friends and family notice the positive change in me.”

Beverly Harlow has been at Schardein’s for six years and is the education leader. “I knew I wanted to work here because of their emphasis on education,” she says. “I wanted a career instead of a job.”

In an industry where there can be high employee turnover, Schardein’s roster is speckled with veterans. Daniel Quinn, one of the salon’s busiest stylists has been there for nearly nine years. He serves as a mentor to younger stylists and has earned respect for his hard work and busy appointment book. “People here want to be what he is – he’s busy,” Schardein says.

Not only is Quinn busy – Schardein’s is busy. The salon located at 9501 N. May Avenue is one of the most popular in Oklahoma City. The state of the art 6,700-foot complex can best be described as the Taj Mahal of salons. If you like to be pampered, Schardein’s is like something out of a dream. Picture the treatment given to the scarecrow, cowardly lion, tin man, and Dorothy by the attendants in Oz.

Many salons stumble when bringing in young stylists fresh from their training, but Schardein recognized an opportunity and seized it. The New Talent Salon employs 8-10 stylists who have recently or nearly completed their certification. In a special section of the salon, these young stylists offer haircuts, styling, and color. As a result, they learn how to build a clientele, work on techniques, and are mentored by an established stylist. It also gives often younger clients a chance to receive a trendy fashion cut at a lower price point. For Schardein’s this is a way to extend their offering to the customer while also guiding these young stylists into the fold.

In essence, Steve wants these stylists to learn “The Schardein Way.” Steve Schardein’s hands have not forgotten the feel of a comb and scissors — he still cuts hair and insists on it. “I need to lead by example, and I love being with our clients so I know what’s important to them,” he says. It’s another example of premium customer service and attention to detail. It’s working — Schardein’s maintains a 90 percent client retention rate. But there’s always room for growth.

Last year while Steve was at a Thunder Game at Chesapeake Energy Arena, he marveled at the thousands of fans in attendance. “I wondered, where are all these people getting their hair done? There are always more people we can help.” Sending the customer out the door looking and feeling more beautiful is one of Schardein’s goals. Two years ago, Steve had a conversation with client Dr. Tim Love, a noted Oklahoma City plastic surgeon who helps clients with hair loss. Out of that brief talk, Schardein and Love decided to combine efforts to educate people about hair loss, something that impacts both of their businesses.

Dr. Tim R. Love, MD performs hair transplant procedures and Schardein wanted to be able to help his customers get help if they had hair loss. The Schardein staff learned how to speak to their clients about hair loss as well as methods for working with restored hair. Steve Schardein even underwent the procedure himself to see what it was like.

The salon’s commitment to Oklahoma City extends beyond its four walls. Schardein’s has donated time and resources to help several causes, including the Battered Women’s Shelter. “We support each other, we support our clients, and we try to support the community,” Jackson says.

All of the things the salon is doing: their dedication to training and education, the cutting edge salon techniques and use of technology, the New Talent Salon that helps young stylists enter the industry, the almost fanatical care they show for their employees personal growth, is why Steve Schardein got into this business.

“This is my dream,” Schardein says as he waves his hands toward his staff while they take part in training. “I want them to be happy, productive members of the community. I spend more time with these people than I do with my family.” A family, that’s what Schardein’s feels like, and that’s the refreshing and compassionate way they treat their employees.

Schardein’s Salon is committed to education for hair loss and much more

It’s a Tuesday afternoon and there are close to 30 employees in Schardein’s salon but there are no client bookings. Why would this normally bustling salon block their appointment books for two hours every week? A commitment to education, that’s why.

Owner Steve Schardein had a dream, and it wasn’t just to run a salon, it was to create a place that could help his staff become better members of their community. “I’m trying to change the perception many people have that we’re ‘just hairdressers.’“ Steve says.

Schardein, who began in the industry in 1976, offers full-time employment to his stylists, offering professional education and encouraging his staff to carve out a career. His philosophy has made a difference in the lives of his employees and not just while they’re on the clock.

“We have four new homeowners and we have people getting married and starting families. That’s what I love to see,” Schardein says.

At a time when many businesses are cutting back hours so employees don’t get full-time, or reducing benefits, Schardein’s is creating a place where people can thrive and grow.

Six years ago Craig Jackson was sitting in a chair getting his hair washed when he decided he wanted to work at Schardein’s. He was a shy young man who had difficulty communicating with people. Now he’s not only a busy stylist, he’s one of the leaders at Schardein’s, confidently working with the public and guiding staff through training.

“The first time I came in here as a client, I knew I wanted to work here because of the positive vibe,” Jackson says. The benefits haven’t been lost on those close to him. “My friends and family notice the positive change in me.”

Beverly Harlow has been at Schardein’s for six years and is the education leader. “I knew I wanted to work here because of their emphasis on education,” she says. “I wanted a career instead of a job.”

In an industry where there can be high employee turnover, Schardein’s roster is speckled with veterans. Daniel Quinn, one of the salon’s busiest stylists has been there for nearly nine years. He serves as a mentor to younger stylists and has earned respect for his hard work and busy appointment book. “People here want to be what he is – he’s busy,” Schardein says.

Not only is Quinn busy – Schardein’s is busy. The salon located at 9501 N. May Avenue is one of the most popular in Oklahoma City. The state of the art 6,700-foot complex can best be described as the Taj Mahal of salons. If you like to be pampered, Schardein’s is like something out of a dream. Picture the treatment given to the scarecrow, cowardly lion, tin man, and Dorothy by the attendants in Oz.

Many salons stumble when bringing in young stylists fresh from their training, but Schardein recognized an opportunity and seized it. The New Talent Salon employs 8-10 stylists who have recently or nearly completed their certification. In a special section of the salon, these young stylists offer haircuts, styling, and color. As a result, they learn how to build a clientele, work on techniques, and are mentored by an established stylist. It also gives often younger clients a chance to receive a trendy fashion cut at a lower price point. For Schardein’s this is a way to extend their offering to the customer while also guiding these young stylists into the fold.

In essence, Steve wants these stylists to learn “The Schardein Way.” Steve Schardein’s hands have not forgotten the feel of a comb and scissors — he still cuts hair and insists on it. “I need to lead by example, and I love being with our clients so I know what’s important to them,” he says. It’s another example of premium customer service and attention to detail. It’s working — Schardein’s maintains a 90 percent client retention rate. But there’s always room for growth.

Last year while Steve was at a Thunder Game at Chesapeake Energy Arena, he marveled at the thousands of fans in attendance. “I wondered, where are all these people getting their hair done? There are always more people we can help.” Sending the customer out the door looking and feeling more beautiful is one of Schardein’s goals. Two years ago, Steve had a conversation with client Dr. Tim Love, a noted Oklahoma City plastic surgeon who helps clients with hair loss. Out of that brief talk, Schardein and Love decided to combine efforts to educate people about hair loss, something that impacts both of their businesses.

Dr. Tim R. Love, MD performs hair transplant procedures and Schardein wanted to be able to help his customers get help if they had hair loss. The Schardein staff learned how to speak to their clients about hair loss as well as methods for working with restored hair. Steve Schardein even underwent the procedure himself to see what it was like.

The salon’s commitment to Oklahoma City extends beyond its four walls. Schardein’s has donated time and resources to help several causes, including the Battered Women’s Shelter. “We support each other, we support our clients, and we try to support the community,” Jackson says.

All of the things the salon is doing: their dedication to training and education, the cutting edge salon techniques and use of technology, the New Talent Salon that helps young stylists enter the industry, the almost fanatical care they show for their employees personal growth, is why Steve Schardein got into this business.

“This is my dream,” Schardein says as he waves his hands toward his staff while they take part in training. “I want them to be happy, productive members of the community. I spend more time with these people than I do with my family.” A family, that’s what Schardein’s feels like, and that’s the refreshing and compassionate way they treat their employees.