What Causes Sisterlocks Thinning? Try These Treatment Options

Growing and maintaining your sisterlocks requires care, commitment, and consistency.

When done right, your locks look amazing, thrive for years, and become more resilient.

Your sisterlocks become versatile, capable of different styles, and even turn into your calling card, doing wonders for your self-esteem.

However, when you see your sisterlocks thinning or worse, falling out, it can be concerning or cause you to go into full-on panic mode. So what causes sisterlocks thinning?

For starters, hair loss is a common daily occurrence. We lose up to 100 strands of hair daily as these strands go through the natural growth cycle.

Thinning or falling locs, while common, may be a sign of a more serious underlying concern.

To keep your sisterlocks healthy and happy, learn the signs of thinning locks, the possible reasons, and the treatment steps for long-term hair health.

Signs Your Sisterlocks Are Thinning

You should check your sisterlocks periodically for thinning as there are some early signs you should notice.

An important step is to identify where the locks are thinning. Some people will notice thinning at the root or scalp. Others will notice thinning along the shaft of the loc itself. The source of the thinning can help you determine the severity of your thinning locks.

Feelings of tenderness, itchiness, or inflammation can lead to thinning sisterlocks.

Locs that break or fall out easily with a simple tug are another common sign. You may notice some thinning or hair loss near the hairline.

Thinning hair should be a sign to investigate the possible reasons for the condition. If it’s quite severe, however, we recommend checking in with a dermatologist. Your doctor can assess your hair, scalp, and overall health. Blood tests or a hair biopsy may uncover the root cause.

Reasons For Thinning Sisterlocks

There are multiple causes of thinning sisterlocks. Some are unavoidable while others are easily treatable. Furthermore, a combination of issues could lead to thinning, shedding, and long-term hair loss.

 

1. Watch Out for Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia—caused by tight hairstyles—is a leading cause of thinning locks. This condition damages hair near the root, especially along the hairline. Excessive tension from tight twists, buns, and ponytails strains hair follicles, leading to inflammation, thinning, and eventual hair loss. Older adults or those with thinner locs (sisterlocks and microlocks) are particularly vulnerable. If you see thinning or hair loss at the hairline or scalp, take action.

Treatment for traction alopecia is essential to stop or reverse the condition. Early intervention is key. Start by avoiding tight hairstyles or styles that pull on the hairline. The gravity of longer, heavier locks can lead to traction alopecia over time. Consider speaking with a dermatologist. Your doctor will recommend steroids or minoxidil to regrow hair.

2. Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA)

Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia (CCCA) is another hair condition that can cause thinning hair. This condition begins at the crown and spreads outward in a circular pattern, replacing hair follicles with scar tissue. Symptoms include itching, tenderness, and thinning hair. Often linked to tight hairstyles, chemical treatments, or genetics, CCCA requires prompt treatment.

A dermatologist can diagnose and help with treatment. Steroids, antibiotics, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can help heal the scalp. In the interim, switching to looser, protective hairstyles can limit sisterlocks thinning. Changes to hairstyle and additional long-term lifestyle changes may be necessary to reduce CCCA symptoms and improve thinning.

3. Scalp Infections and Hair Loss

The scalp is a delicate surface with a healthy microbiome required for optimal hair growth. Scalp infections are common and can stunt hair growth or cause thinning and shedding. Some women with sisterlocks are unaware of an infection until it's too late. Common culprits that can lead to infections include:

• Folliculitis: Red, itchy bumps caused by bacterial or fungal infections
• Seborrheic Dermatitis: Scaly, oily scalp that forms yellowish scales with increased infection risk
• Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition that causes a buildup of skin cells on the scalp. The scaly, inflamed skin cells can lead to infections.

Treatment options range from medicated shampoos and antifungals to light therapy. A dermatologist can diagnose your condition and guide your treatment.

4. Stress and Telogen Effluvium

Yes, stress can literally make your hair fall out. Thinning sisterlocks can be stress-related, thanks to a condition called telogen effluvium. This is temporary hair loss triggered by stress, hormonal shifts, or trauma. Events like childbirth, excess work, or menopause can push hair into a resting phase, causing shedding.

Telogen effluvium can resolve over time but patience is needed. For instance, after childbirth, some women need several months to regain hormonal harmony. In the meantime, you can implement lifestyle changes to reduce stress. Journaling, meditation, yoga, and talk therapy are great examples. Work on achieving a more balanced diet and improving hydration. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be necessary, in the case of menopause. Ask your doctor about the pros and cons of HRT as it may improve your hair health over time.

5. Medications Causing Hair Loss

Certain medications may contribute to hair thinning. These include:

• Blood pressure drugs
• Antidepressants
• Chemotherapy treatments

Hair thinning may be an unavoidable side effect during some treatments. For chronic diseases where long-term medication is necessary, discuss alternatives with your doctor.

6. Harmful Hair Products

Products like heavy creams, waxes, or bleaches can harm your hair. Residue buildup blocks follicles, while harsh chemicals damage strands. Some women have allergic reactions to ingredients in these products, leading to scalp inflammation Switch to natural, water-soluble products recommended by a dermatologist.

7. Nutritional Deficiencies

Vitamin deficiencies, particularly in iron, zinc, and vitamin D, can weaken hair. A balanced diet and supplements help restore nutrients essential for healthy hair. Hydration is also equally important to prevent dryness and breakage. Nutritional deficiencies can be hard to track. Consider getting a blood test or complete vitamin profile can ensure you’re getting the right nutrients for your hair health.

8. Genetic Factors

Sometimes, genetics influence hair loss. Male- or female-pattern baldness and alopecia areata may affect your locs despite your best efforts. If your immediate family has a history of hair loss, you are more likely to experience thinning with age. Supplements and treatments may help but cannot always halt genetic hair loss.

9. Poor Maintenance Practices

Sisterlocks need consistent care and neglecting can weaken locs. For instance, infrequent twisting or care can lead to thinning along the shaft. On the other hand, tight twisting or over-twisting causes strain.

Maintain your locs with proper cleaning, moisturizing, and trimming. Consult a loctician for expert guidance and attend your appointments to ensure your hair is properly maintained. Your loctician can also help with twisting or fixing thinning locks along the shaft.

Preventing Thinning Locs

These reasons all have effective strategies to improve hair health and reduce thinning. Some women or people with sisterlocks can have multiple reasons for thinning or shedding so consider a holistic approach to reduce thinning.

Sometimes, thinning is unavoidable (for instance with pregnancy or genetics). However, there are some strategies that can prevent thinning even before it begins. These include:

• Avoiding tight styles and frequent twisting
• Sleeping with a satin cap or on a satin pillowcase
• Keeping locks shorter to reduce strain
• Washing and conditioning regularly
• Protecting hair from UV damage
• Using lightweight oils like tea tree or peppermint
• Considering supplements for hair health or stress-related hair loss

We also recommend consistent cleansing or detoxing with products such as our BLCK Lux Scalp Detox Cleanser which not only supports scalp health and removes buildup, but promotes growth.

Consult a Dermatologist for Healthy Locs

Protecting your thinning sisterlocks starts with understanding the potential reasons for the issue. Thinning sisterlocks at the scalp has multiple underlying reasons. Addressing these issues long-term can improve hair thickness and health while ensuring you do not lose those precious locks.

Other forms of thinning (along the hair shaft, for instance) may require improved hair maintenance and re-twisting.

Think of thinning as an unwanted guest on your sisterlocks journey. Your goal should be to keep thinning outside. Create healthy hair care routines both inside and out and your sisterlocks will thank you.