People say pain is beauty, but not in this case. If a tight hairstyle leaves you with headaches or soreness, especially after a few days, you may be setting yourself up for red bumps or flaking, early signs of traction alopecia. If you want to disguise already-existing hair loss or damage, protective styles like wigs that don't require harsh glue are a great route. Just don't forget about your real hair. "If you don't continue to condition, trim and remove these styles in a timely manner, the health of your hair and scalp will be compromised," says Stephens. "It's as simple as that."

Follow Stephens' tips for healthier hair:

• Moisturize before you get braids and avoid braiding very small pieces of hair.
• Don't wear weaves or braids for longer than three to four weeks.
• Shampoo and condition your hair regularly. Wash and condition your extensions, your scalp and your natural hair underneath.
• Make sure both your natural hair and your extension tracks dry completely after washing. Leaving your hair wet or damp underneath may cause fungal infections.
• Regularly moisturize your hair underneath your weave.
• Take some time off in between braids and weaves to give your hair and scalp a break.

If your hair used to touch the top of your shoulders but now only reaches your ears -- and has stayed at that length for what seems like forever -- you may have traumatic alopecia, aka dreaded hair breakage. The good news is it's the easiest type of alopecia to identify and to treat -- if you're willing to rethink your styling routine.

What contributes to breakage? Mainly, you! Chemicals like relaxers and dyes; shampoos with sulfates and parabens; excessive heat from styling tools; and friction from rubber bands and excessive brushing and combing. Chances are you're doing most, if not all, of these things, and curly African American hair is even more susceptible to damage.

It's time to put some of that good, old-fashioned self-control to use. "Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!" says Opara. "Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, so don't ban shampooing altogether, condition regularly, and steer clear of harsh sulfates, parabens and phlalates."

Products aside, if you're a twirler, cut it out. "You'd be surprised how much breakage we cause on our own, just by playing around with our hair and manipulating it too much," says Opara. Protect your ends by putting more buns in your daily style rotation (here are a few to get you started), and never comb your hair when it's product-free.

While these four types of alopecia are the main offenders when it comes to hair loss among black women, your diet could also be a factor. Here are 10 other reasons your hair may be thinning, regardless of your ethnicity.