Top layer of hair is frizzy and damaged!

[Zombee]

Hello! I hope this is OK to post here.


I've been growing out my natural hair colour (from a bleach blonde) for almost 2 years now. I've only been posting on the 'giving up the dye/bleach' post before.

As you can see from the pictures, my bottom layer of hair is quite healthy looking and I really like the curls. The top layer, however, is damaged and really thin.


(In the 1st 2 pictures, all the damage top layers are pulled to the back of my head)

https://i.imgur.com/QaXvNCV.jpg

https://imgur.com/F6j3wns

https://imgur.com/F6j3wns
https://i.imgur.com/F6j3wns.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/MRD7FfU.jpg

It needs cutting away but I don't have much hair as it is so I'm reluctant. I know that 4/5 inches of the parts closest to the front, do still have some heat/dye damage, but my new growth up top isn't looking much better either. It's like my hair is made up of two different textures, sitting on top of each other. It also feels dry and under a light, you can see all the broken bits sticking out.

It's really disheartening because I've been without colouring it, heat styling or drying it for almost 2 years and I don't have much to show for it. I don't know what I can do to make the top layer healthy like it is underneath. It sounds silly but I haven't been going out anywhere nice because I'm embarrassed by the state of it. I thought by 2 years, although short, it would be a healthy bob showing off my natural hair texture. I've never been happy with my hair, it's a constant battle.
https://imgur.com/F6j3wns

I use silicone and sulfate free shampoos and conditioners, mostly shea moisture ones. I do hot oil treatments and rice water treatments and although my hair feels nicer straight afterwards, I'm not sure whether it's really helping. I'm trying to drink more water and keep hydrated, this is something I've only started doing consistently recently. I bought a real silk pillowcase and eye mask recently too.


Sorry for the long post! Please, could anyone help me with suggestions, thank you. xo

[Joules]

Frizz doesn't equal damage, it's a surprisingly common misconception. My hair is frizzy by nature, and it's otherwise super healthy and soft, it's just my texture and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it. Bottom part always looks healthier because it's smoothed down by the top part, if that makes sense. Your hair doesn't look bad at all to me :)

[lapushka]

Those shorter bits are new growth; your hair comes and goes in cycles and that is why it is never all even. Trust me, that is not breakage.

It's just a matter of styling properly, I think, because I do spot waves, and curls even, in your hair.

What's your routine like now?

[Sid0rela]

Zombee my hair is also frizzy, especially in my nape, and my nape is the virgin hair because I'm growing out my bleach for 1 year and 5 months now.
id say its just our texture, I don't think frizzy hair is damaged.
or it could be new growth.
if your hair does not have split bits, looks/feels like straw, i don't think its damaged.
btw your hair looks good.:heart:

[Riot Crrl]

I don't see any frizz. :bunny:

It seems like a common trope to have curlier hair underneath and a straighter, coarser canopy lying over it. I am the same way. Some people get layers cut so more of the curlier hair underneath is visible, it is true. There are other ways of attaining something similar though, try experimenting with half ups.

Shea Moisture products are really good but they can be heavy. Buildup can sometimes cause frizz. You might want to try rotating in some lighter products and see how you like them.

All of that being said, we are our own worst critics. Your hair looks pretty and definitely good enough to go out! :sushi:

[cjk]

my bottom layer of hair is quite healthy looking and I really like the curls. The top layer, however, is damaged and really thin.

Different textures are not automatically damaged.

My own hair is like this. The canopy, top layer, is slightly textured. Loose waves at best. But my underneath hair is ringlet curls.


It's like my hair is made up of two different textures, sitting on top of each other. It also feels dry and under a light, you can see all the broken bits sticking out.

Why do you think it's broken? Hair doesn't all grow simultaneously. I've also been growing two years as of Jan 1, and I have some frizzy bits too.

Under a light, though I prefer backlit, I have a glowing halo.


I've never been happy with my hair, it's a constant battle.

Well that's an attitude thing. Attitude adjustment? I always like to point out that God put it there, uniquely shaped and positioned for you, and He does good work!


I use silicone and sulfate free shampoos and conditioners, mostly shea moisture ones. I do hot oil treatments and rice water treatments and although my hair feels nicer straight afterwards, I'm not sure whether it's really helping. I'm trying to drink more water and keep hydrated, this is something I've only started doing consistently recently. I bought a real silk pillowcase and eye mask recently too.

This has been a recent theme. It's not a checklist. Use this, then that, and your hair will be happy.

No.

It's finding what works FOR YOU specifically. This forum offers help, can guide you somewhat, but ultimately we are each unique.

Maybe you need silicones. Maybe you don't. Perhaps a cleansing is needed, or maybe water only would be your jam.

[Zombee]

Thank you for the replies. The frizz isn't what bothers me the most. It's the difference in condition. I really like the curls underneath but it looks silly sitting underneath the barely wavy, thin top layer. I want it to be the same texture top to bottom.

I thought about getting layers cut in to get rid of the flat, dry ends on the top layer, but my hair is so thin and I want to grow it long. I do think it is damage because my new growth isn't so frizzy and straw like. It doesn't shine as much as the new growth. I don't know what causes it. I'm not sure whether to just let it grow longer before I start messing about with it again.

My routine is I wash my hair every 3 - 4 days. Most times I just condition. Once every 2 weeks I do a coconut and olive oil hot oil treatment or a rice water treatment.

Any kind of styling gel or cream, makes my top layers look a lot better, but my hair is so thin that the smallest amount makes it look greasy.

I used to use devacurl no-poo and conditioner which I loved but it's too expensive for me at the moment.

Thank you for your help!

[Zombee]

It's finding what works FOR YOU specifically. This forum offers help, can guide you somewhat, but ultimately we are each unique.

Maybe you need silicones. Maybe you don't. Perhaps a cleansing is needed, or maybe water only would be your jam.

Thank you for the reply, I don't think I've found what works for me yet. I guess I just need to try out some of the methods on here.

The reason I think it's breakage is because it's near the top at my head and the ends of these short strands stick out at odd angles and curl. I'll try and get a picture. I know I sound pathetic but If I'm out and I walk in to a top-lit bathroom, it highlights all these sticky-out ends all over my head and it looks like I've just rolled out of bed, I hate it. I think I'd tolerate it if I liked the cut of my hair and if it was longer. I know it's silly but I'm just hoping one year I will be OK with it, at the least.

[Obsidian]

New growth sticks up the most on top and around the hair line. My top hair is always drier and frizzier then the under layer. Cones are one thing that really helps, maybe you should try a coney conditioner or a coney serum.

Also, coconut oil can make some people's hair dry and brittle, try switching oils. Sunflower is really nice, it can penetrate the hair shaft like coconut does without the occosional drying issues.

[MusicalSpoons]

If you search this site for 'frizz breakage' you'll find a ton of threads where people have the same concern. It's normal, honest. My hair does the same (https://www.flickr.com/photos/66936705@N06/26674044047/) as what you describe; it's only once I've slept on it that it calms down - but it's also fine if yours doesn't calm down; my hair is straight whereas yours obviously isn't anyway.

It might be that your top layer wants more moisture to become its waviest, but having different textures on the same head is perfectly normal! I have a couple of thin locks of hair that naturally dry in almost 2b waves, underneath/amongst the rest of my hair; they're much coarser than the rest and for years those hairs triggered trichotillomania just because they felt so different. Now I know it's fine and thankfully they're usually safe from being pulled out now, but my point is that variation either way is natural :)

[blackgothicdoll]

I'm still trying to figure this out myself, but my hypothesis as to why people with any sort of texture in their hair have a different textured canopy is that they may only brush/manipulate their top layer. I have the same problem, my top layer is a frizzy mess, but when I bun my hair I brush the top layer down and just pull the rest back without really touching it. That's the main place you pay attention to because it's outward facing and most visible.

I don't know if that would be considered mechanical damage or if it could be cured over time. Mine has remained that way. Other members with more exp with this can probably lend better advice, but I'm curious as well.

I think your hair looks just fine :)

[MusicalSpoons]

I'm still trying to figure this out myself, but my hypothesis as to why people with any sort of texture in their hair have a different textured canopy is that they may only brush/manipulate their top layer. I have the same problem, my top layer is a frizzy mess, but when I bun my hair I brush the top layer down and just pull the rest back without really touching it. That's the main place you pay attention to because it's outward facing and most visible.

I don't know if that would be considered mechanical damage or if it could be cured over time. Mine has remained that way. Other members with more exp with this can probably lend better advice, but I'm curious as well.

I think your hair looks just fine :)

That can be the case, yes. The outer layer of the canopy is exposed to more damage - sun, wind, moisture loss, etc. - simply from existing. And yes, mechanical damage from styling, as even if we don't brush it backwards we still run our hands over it which is friction :shrug: It is impossible to eliminate all damage to hair; the best we can do is minimise it. It is still normal to have more than one texture on the same head though; many people have a distinct switch in texture which is not explained by damage. (I recall one of my teachers at school had ringlets on top and maybe 1/4 of her thickness underneath was straight hair - well, probably wavy, but it looked straight by comparison.)

I forgot to say in my previous post, but Zombee your hair looks lovely to me :)

[cjk]

Thank you for the reply, I don't think I've found what works for me yet. I guess I just need to try out some of the methods on here.

Just be sure to change only one variable at a time. Today I did a water cleansing like always, conditioned at a level most would consider absurd, as always...and tried a new gel for my cast.

Currently drying.

I changed one thing. Only. That means any changes, positive or negative, are attributable only to the new gel.

By the way, LA Looks blue from Dollar Tree. A favorite among curlies.

And speaking of curlies, you are obviously a curly too. For experimentation I'd suggest reading up on curly girl. It's not a guarantee, but a lot of us find that it works better with our texture than anything else we've tried before.

[Cate36]

Hello! I hope this is OK to post here.


I've been growing out my natural hair colour (from a bleach blonde) for almost 2 years now. I've only been posting on the 'giving up the dye/bleach' post before.

As you can see from the pictures, my bottom layer of hair is quite healthy looking and I really like the curls. The top layer, however, is damaged and really thin.


(In the 1st 2 pictures, all the damage top layers are pulled to the back of my head)

https://i.imgur.com/QaXvNCV.jpg

https://imgur.com/F6j3wns

https://imgur.com/F6j3wns
https://i.imgur.com/F6j3wns.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/MRD7FfU.jpg

It needs cutting away but I don't have much hair as it is so I'm reluctant. I know that 4/5 inches of the parts closest to the front, do still have some heat/dye damage, but my new growth up top isn't looking much better either. It's like my hair is made up of two different textures, sitting on top of each other. It also feels dry and under a light, you can see all the broken bits sticking out.

It's really disheartening because I've been without colouring it, heat styling or drying it for almost 2 years and I don't have much to show for it. I don't know what I can do to make the top layer healthy like it is underneath. It sounds silly but I haven't been going out anywhere nice because I'm embarrassed by the state of it. I thought by 2 years, although short, it would be a healthy bob showing off my natural hair texture. I've never been happy with my hair, it's a constant battle.
https://imgur.com/F6j3wns

I use silicone and sulfate free shampoos and conditioners, mostly shea moisture ones. I do hot oil treatments and rice water treatments and although my hair feels nicer straight afterwards, I'm not sure whether it's really helping. I'm trying to drink more water and keep hydrated, this is something I've only started doing consistently recently. I bought a real silk pillowcase and eye mask recently too.


Sorry for the long post! Please, could anyone help me with suggestions, thank you. xo

This happened to me, and it was the sun. The Sun really damaged my hair... turned it from ginger to blonde.. If I look back at old photos my hair is SO SO red.. then I moved to Australia.. it survived pretty well until the last few years when I started doing long beach walks.. bam.. the outer layers are blonde .. dry.. fragile.. the inner layers in much better condition.. so I suspect it may be just wear and tear of life..

There are some products that claim to protect from Sun.. in Australia Davroe do a spray for colour hair which has UV filters in it..

[spidermom]

That top layer of hair gets more weathering (sun, wind, etc), which is nice for the hair underneath because it is protected by that top layer. You can try applying 1 drop of oil or styling product to that top layer because it probably is craving moisture (just rub that drop between 2 fingers and pinch-apply it). Other than that, take it easy on yourself. We all have new hairs growing in all the time, which causes that frazzled texture on the top. Either find a styling product to smooth it down or purposely cultivate a textured style. I've noticed that blow-drying my hair after application of a smoothing serum will smooth those top layer fly-aways down, as does wrapping my head in a silk scarf for awhile. Reminder about blow-drying, always keep the air cool or warm and direct it down the hair shaft. Never blow dry from below (air directed upward) because it will encourage frizz like you wouldn't believe.

Alternatively, I'll just scrunch a styling lotion through my hair after blotting dry with a flannel pillowcase, then twirl random bits around my fingers as it dries to encourage maximum texture, as in my signature photo.

[Kiisu]

Free silicones makes my hair so frizzy and breakage / greasy too.. I went cone back my hair now normal no breakage and so shiny

[SallySue]

Try washing and scrunching with your head upside down, or finger coiling the top layer as spidermom said. I agree with others that much of it has to do with that layer getting shifted around more than the underneath