A Guide to Reducing Hair Shedding and Promoting Strong, Healthy Curls

Caring for curly hair is a journey filled with twists, turns, and sometimes shedding that feels overwhelming. If you’ve ever noticed more strands than usual on your pillow, in the shower, or tangled in your brush, you’re not alone. For many with curls, shedding can feel like a constant battle that leaves hair looking thinner and less vibrant. Hair shedding is a natural part of the hair growth cycle, and with the right care, you can minimize excess loss while nurturing stronger, healthier curls. This guide will walk you through practical tips, gentle routines, and easy strategies to help you protect your strands, reduce unnecessary breakage, minimize hair shedding and embrace the full, thriving curls you deserve.

Understand the Difference: Shedding vs. Breakage

Not all hair that falls out is the same—and knowing whether you’re dealing with shedding or breakage is the first step to finding the right solution.

• Shedding: This happens when hair naturally falls from the root, often with a tiny white bulb attached. Shedding is part of the normal growth cycle, but excessive shedding can signal stress, hormonal changes, or scalp imbalances.
  
  
• Breakage: Unlike shedding, breakage occurs when the hair shaft snaps mid-length due to weakness, dryness, or mechanical damage. This often leaves behind short, uneven strands that make curls look frizzy and thin. Use a wide-tooth comb, detangling brush or your fingers to gently detangle curls and prevent unnecessary breakage.

How to Stop Hair Shedding and Keep Your Curls Strong

1. Keep Your Scalp Healthy

A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair. Dirt, buildup, or dryness can weaken follicles, making strands more likely to shed. Cleanse regularly with a gentle shampoo that removes buildup without stripping natural oils. Follow up with a nourishing conditioner that hydrates the scalp and strengthens the roots.

2. Hydrate and Strengthen Your Strands

When curls become dry and brittle, they’re more likely to snap, leaving hair looking dull and lifeless. The key to preventing breakage is restoring elasticity and reinforcing each strand with deep hydration and nourishment. That’s where a weekly deep conditioning treatment restores hydration and reinforces your curls with essential proteins for improved strength and elasticity. A great option is Aunt Jackie’s Fix My Hair Intensive Repair Conditioning Masque, enriched with flaxseed and avocado, which helps revive weak, shedding-prone hair and leaves curls feeling soft, resilient, and full of life.

3. Be Gentle When Detangling

Tugging and pulling through knots is one of the quickest ways to invite shedding and breakage. Instead, treat your hair with care and always detangle when it’s damp, using your fingers, a wide-tooth comb, or detangling brush. That’s where Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch comes in, it literally melts away tangles, making the process effortless while cutting down on unnecessary breakage. 

4. Lock In Moisture

Dry curls are fragile curls. Keeping your hair moisturized reduces breakage and helps strands stay strong. Use the LOC method (Leave-in, Oil, Cream) to seal hydration into your curls. A step-by-step guide designed to seal moisture deep into every curl - 

• Start with a nourishing base with Quench Moisture Intensive Leave-In Conditioner and drench your curls with lasting hydration, prepping them for the next step.
• Smooth in your favorite lightweight oil to seal in all that goodness and protect against dryness.  We recommend our Soft All Over Multi-Purpose Oil.  
• Finish with Curl La La Defining Curl Custard. Not only does it lock in moisture, but it also adds bounce, definition, and that soft, touchable hold curls crave.

5. Protect Your Curls at Night

Friction from cotton pillowcases can weaken strands and cause shedding. Switch to a satin or silk bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase. For added protection, you can lightly mist your hair and reapply a light leave-in conditioner at night to keep strands supple.

6. Start With a Healthy Wash Day Routine

Cleansing your scalp is the foundation for reducing shedding. A clean, nourished scalp allows your follicles to breathe and promotes growth. Look for sulfate-free cleansers that remove buildup without stripping moisture. Try Aunt Jackie’s Moisturizing Shampoos Collection for formulas that balance cleansing with hydration.

6. Support Hair from the Inside Out

• Strong hair starts with nutrition. Your body needs vitamins, minerals, and protein to grow healthy curls that shed less.
• Drink enough water daily.
• High stress can trigger hair shedding. Simple practices like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, or even a daily walk can reduce stress and support both mental health and hair health.
  
  

Final Thoughts

Reducing hair shedding and promoting healthy curls isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about consistent care, the right techniques, and using products that truly nourish your hair. With the help of targeted solutions like Aunt Jackie’s moisture-rich and strengthening formulas, you can give your curls the care they deserve, reduce unnecessary shedding, and enjoy healthier, more defined curls every day.

Aunt Jackie’s offers a wide range of collections tailored to different curl needs. The Curls & Coils collection is packed with hydrating products that restore softness and shine while reducing dryness. For deep nourishment, the Creams & Butters collection delivers rich moisture and protection to help your strands thrive. If you need to give your natural curls a break by wearing protective styles, the Flaxseed collection is the ideal solution.   

Your curls are unique, and with patience, love, and the right tools—including the perfect products from Aunt Jackie’s collections—they’ll flourish beautifully.