View Full Version : Hair breakage...
Celebrian
February 4th, 2009, 06:30 PM
Every time I go to give my hair a good combing/brushing - I often notice that there are several small broken bits, never very long, usually about a centimetere in length (slightly varies). I tend to wash every three days or so, and this is when I'll usually do the thorough comb/brush thing.
I've noticed this for a good few months, but was too ashamed to post about it :o mainly because I think I'm pretty good with my hair regarding conditioning, trimming and so on.
I think the problem lies in the last 6 inches or so of older hair, where it's had all kinds of old dyeing, bleaching, colorfix mishaps!
Does that sound about right? Or am I overlooking something here?
If it helps - I'm trimming monthly (and so staying at the same length for the moment = BSL) until those last inches let me know they're really happy!
I went cone' free about 6 months ago - and can't remember if this was happening in my 'silicone' days. I tend to use Lush's cone-free shampoos and conditioners.
I use a hair mask for deep moisturisation every few weeks...
Oh, I'm a hennahead, and do henna/hendigo about every month.
Um, what else? Probably wear my hair up or back more than I used to (especially as I'm still gaining length - despite trimming so often!). Also, my hair looks good and shiny (although ends usually need extra loving conditioning) and seems strong otherwise.
Please advise me, because if this minor breakage is due to something in my routine, I need to know. :rolleyes:
All advice gratefully and humbly received... ;)
SimplyLonghair
February 4th, 2009, 06:34 PM
Sounds as if it needs more moisture. I would treat the bottom to something that replaces moisture for your hair.:D
chrissy-b
February 4th, 2009, 07:13 PM
The last 12 inches or so of my hair is damaged from repeated chemical dying. I'm just now starting to get the splits and breakage as I reach longer lengths. Pretty lame since I take such good care of my hair and wear it up every single day.
The one thing that does help is to never go without a leave-in of some sort. I make a mix of conditioner, aloe and oils, and sometimes use giovanni's direct leave-in. Even on non-wash days I mist and put a little something on my ends.
Unfortunately, you will have to cut this damage off, but a leave-in might help in the meantime.
Curlsgirl
February 5th, 2009, 06:55 AM
I never got those little bits of hair and short pieces until just recently and I think the highlighting I got last time when she pulled it all the way through to the ends in places caused it. It is just damaged hair and unfortunately where it's weak in places it will probably eventually break off. I think doing what you are doing (slowly trimming off damage) and then doing LOTS of moisturizing and an occasional protein treatment followed by moisture and a good leave-in plus being very gentle to your hair is the a answer. Do you have to brush? Brushing can break hair if you are rough of don't detangle with a wide tooth seamless comb first too. Consider giving up the brushing. HTH!
Oh and I would like to add, I would do the DT at least once a week or even more for a while instead of every few weeks like you said you are doing.
suicides_eve
February 5th, 2009, 07:24 AM
i'm just agreeing with the above post.. moisture and cut back on using a brush and opt for a large tooth comb
kdaniels8811
February 5th, 2009, 10:13 AM
Have you tired catnip tea? I use it once a week and my hair has stopped breaking and shedding. It never grew past APL due to chemical dyes and such. I now follow a regiment of shampooing twice a week instead of daily, air drying, horn comb, daily oilings, catnip soaks once or twice a week, and wearing it up every day and this all helps immensely. I can see the length getting longer but I refuse to measure until spring, I become obsessed with the length otherwise!
You can search for catnip tea how-to's or - buy catnip from the pet supply store or supermarket. Dump a teaspoon in boiling water and steep as if you are making tea. Cover the mug to keep oils from evaporating. After about an hour (after it has cooled), I dump into a bowl and dunk my length into it then use my hands to soak the scalp. I put the length into a plastic bag - sandwich size does well for me!, band it and let it soak for an hour, then rinse, do not shampoo. My hair will be silky, no need for conditioner, and the breakage went away with regular use. Good luck!
forgetmenotak
February 5th, 2009, 10:33 AM
Hi Celebrian! Thank you for asking about this because I am having this problem. I just thought it was because I was rough with my hair- even though I was as careful as I can be.
There are some good ideas here which I will try, but my hair does not like oils. :( I hope for both our sakes something helps!
Take Care
embee
February 5th, 2009, 10:43 AM
My hair is "virgin" and worn up. *Always* I've had some breakage, and think that's just what my hair does. I've been at the same length for about a year now, and before that it was growing out the 8 inches I chopped off. My length was increasing even with breakage.
Now I think I'm at terminal length; this is as long as my mom's hair ever got.
Celebrian
February 5th, 2009, 10:58 AM
Thanks everyone.
Apart from having to slowly trim away the poorer hair, I think I've been neglecting regular oiling of my hair.
I never found coconut that good and camellia didn't do much either.
What I've always come back to is - Olive oil! Haven't used that for a while now, and it always gave me silky hair. I think I'll do that tonight and see how I go.
Reading round, I think I've had enough protein treatments and the strengthening from henna - but suspect that simple moisturisation (regularly) is lacking. Too much protein can harden the hair, I believe?
Can I ask for some natural moisturising daily leave-in treatments from you all, as I can't keep olive oiling my ends daily (that's going to be a deep pre-shampoo thing) or I'll look like an oil slick!
I'm ordering some shea butter tonight. Am I on the right track with that one? (thinking 'leave-in' here as well).
Curlsgirl
February 5th, 2009, 11:13 AM
Shea works for some and not others. It doesn't work for me but that doesn't mean it won't for you. As for a leave-in there are many you could try. My personal favorites are Beauty Without Cruelty leave-in, Biolage Conditioning balm moisture therappe and Giovanni Direct leave-in. I use them liberally.
Celebrian
February 5th, 2009, 04:42 PM
Well, I drenched my hair with EVOO tonight and left it a couple of hours before washing it out. That was hard work, and I should imagine it will still look a bit greasy tomorrow. I don't really care :D because as soon as the EVOO was coating my hair, I could feel that it was the right thing to use on this occasion. My hair just slurped it up...
Oh, and not one bit of broken hair in the sink when I combed it out after partially air drying (I never blow fry) which was interesting, but probably coincidence.
We'll see...
Sissy
February 5th, 2009, 05:16 PM
Thanks for posting this thread. I am going to be watching it as well because I am having a problem of hair breakage/split ends. I am noticing so many of them. It's horrible. I wonder if it will effect my length. I was recommended to try catnip tea rinse and I did once last weekend but haven't done it again so it's too soon to tell. I did like the way it made my hair feel though.
I am also interested in what people will tell you for natural deep moisture treatments or leave-ins. I have Giovanni Direct and I like it. I am also going to be ordering some organic shea butter soon :)
Sissy
Tangles
February 5th, 2009, 05:18 PM
Honestly, I think part of it is winter. I've been using EVOO too, and it does work, if you use it at night and give it time to soak in. :)
Sissy
February 6th, 2009, 05:37 AM
Honestly, I think part of it is winter. I've been using EVOO too, and it does work, if you use it at night and give it time to soak in. :)
I like EVOO as well and I'm thinking of making some of Fox's Shea Butter Cream as I have heard it adds moisture and oil to the hair, which I think is what we may need to help stop this breakage.
As I understand, most oils do not add moisture to the hair, they just retain moisture. Therefore, what we should be aiming for is to add moisture AND oil. At least I think I'm correct on this?
Here is a link to making Fox's Shea Butter Cream:
http://forums.longhaircommunity.com/showthread.php?t=4586&highlight=Fox%27s+Shea+Butter+Cream
I have not tried it yet, but look forward to doing so.
Curlsgirl
February 6th, 2009, 05:55 AM
As I understand, most oils do not add moisture to the hair, they just retain moisture. Therefore, what we should be aiming for is to add moisture AND oil. At least I think I'm correct on this?
Yes, oil helps seal in moisture. I always use a leave-in conditioner under the oil.
Celebrian- you didn't really answer the "brush" question or did I miss it? Is that something that could be contributing? For me brushing (especially without detangling first) leads to major breakage. :shudder: Also another thing I thought of, you aren't using a comb with seams that could be weakening your hair are you or some kind of hair toys that have metal or are rough on your hair?
Celebrian
February 6th, 2009, 02:50 PM
Yes, oil helps seal in moisture. I always use a leave-in conditioner under the oil.
Celebrian- you didn't really answer the "brush" question or did I miss it? Is that something that could be contributing? For me brushing (especially without detangling first) leads to major breakage. :shudder: Also another thing I thought of, you aren't using a comb with seams that could be weakening your hair are you or some kind of hair toys that have metal or are rough on your hair?
Oil does help seal in moisture, which is why you're usually advised to apply to wet/damp hair.
Olive/Coconut and one or two others actually penetrate and strengthen the hair - although they do not operate as protein treatments, which also strengthen the hair shaft. Overuse of the protein can harden the hair, and BTW some people can also get the hard hair or the 'crunchies' with different oils. It's an individual thing...
I'm looking at Shea because Oilve is too heavy, for me, as a leave in: Coconut gave me shine but crunchy hair; Camellia did nothing much - and I never remember any other oil such as sesame/brazil/apricot/almond doing a great deal for me (but I may have to re-visit them).
Here is a wonderful article on the provenance; growth, harvesting and healthgiving qualities of Shea butter:
http://www.everythingshea.com/sheabutterarticle.htm
I ordered some last night, which should arrive early next week.
Anyway, last nights olive oil didn't wash out completely so I left the residue to soak in over 24 hours (although some still remained on hair surface to the bitter end!). When I got back from walking around town with my greasy strands - I trimmed the very ends of my hair and then put a light layer of a protein mask over the top of the EVOO residue (this on dry hair remember: dry but oily!) and left to sink in for a while. Shampooed out and then added a little more of the protein mask, diluted, as my post shampoo conditioner. I have no nut oil ATM with which to seal in whatever is there of the EVOO, protein and water on/in my hair - so will either leave that aspect this time round, or pop just a little coconut on in hopes of no crunchies!
I'll re-post tomorrow to tell you how my hair has dried and behaved... :D
Curlsgirl, I've never solved the comb/brush dilemma, myself. Sometimes my hair likes combing, and sometimes it loves to be brushed. Either way, breakage can occur sometimes.
No, I never use metal combs/hair toys etc. and fix my updo's with tortoiseshell clips, bobby pins or material scrunchies.
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