Many African women experience some form of hair loss. However, few doctors are familiar with African hairstyling practices especially, with the constant changing hairstyles. Sometimes the pulling and styling can be damaging to the roots of the hair and particularly the hairline. Alopecia is a disease that develops when the body attacks its own hair follicles (where hair grows from). This can cause hair loss anywhere on the body. Losing your hairline does not always mean you have alopecia but sometimes means you need to protect your hair. Here are some tips for protecting your hairline.

WHAT CAUSES A HAIRLINE TO RECEDE

Vivian Shiburi from Sheer Elegance says, "There are many causes of a receding hairline. Sometimes it is due to age, genes, or not eating nutritious meals," she says. "Other factors that may contribute to a receding hairline and aggravated hair loss is over-styling hair, over-heating, tight hairstyles like cornrows and braids, using chemicals such as bleach and peroxide to colour hair, eating a diet that high in saturated fats, processed foods, preservatives and sugar, smoking cigarettes and inflammatory diseases such as lupus or frontal fibrosing alopecia. Research shows that hairline recession can be caused by genetic predisposition, hormonal influences, and aging."Certain types of hair loss are genetic and very little can be done to prevent them. Genetic types of hair loss include alopecia areata, generalised hair shedding brought on by stress, a poor diet. and female pattern hair loss.

HOW TO TREAT A RECEDING HAIRLINE

There are many ways of treating a receding hairline. Eating a good diet may help your hair look healthier and full. 

1. Eating foods with antioxidants helps fight stress, which can contribute to hair falling. Blueberries, spinach, kidney beans and walnuts are all rich in natural antioxidants.
2. Ask your stylist to create hairstyles that are not strenuous, loose braids or dreadlocks.
3. Avoid putting wig glue directly on the hairline.
4. If you have braids, remove them after three months, as they may eat at the hairline. They can be a protective hairstyle but kept too long, can be damaging.
5. If you wear a weave or hair extensions, remove them after eight weeks.
6. If you have relaxed or dyed hair, make sure these treatments are applied by a professional as they know which products would be best suited for your type of hair.
7. If you still notice breakage or hair shedding, avoid chemical treatments completely like relaxers.
8. Minimise or completely avoid heat styling, including hair dryers, flat irons, tongs, hot combs and curling irons. These wear out the hair and can lead to major hair loss.