Grr... Splitzville... Pics inside...

[Need2gro]

Im 13 weeks post (not much growth I think) & I have know idea y my hair is acting this way. Is it the damaged hair behaving this way?

I'm not doing anything different, i rollerset my hair the same way I have been for the past 19 yrs.The only heat I use is the Gold n Hot Jet Bonnet Dryer attach for about 35 - 40 mins and then my hair is dry. I blow my hair out maybe once a month.

I have been trimming my own hair with a brand new hair scissors, but as soon as I trim and rewash about wk later, the splits/white ends are back

(The scissors has a kind of ridge in - do u think that could make my ends worse?) I've easily cut about 2" already.

My hair has been lacking protein and I've done a Aphogee treatment but my hair still fairly stretchy, but its def not mushy. I dont know what other protein to use - I've used egg, the Aphogee, leave-in placenta. I've been thinking of doing Henna but I know that it dries my hair out BIG time.

Suggestions please?!?

 

[ms-gg]

If I am not mistaken, I believe that white dots on your hair= heat damage. It could be the blow dryer (just because you do it once a month does not mean that it cannot cause damage if the heat is too high)....

Your hair maybe really dry. How has it been feeling lately?

 

[Aviah]

The white dots are from using heat on wet/damp hair apparently. It causes the water to boil inside the hair and make the cortex to rapidly expand, damaging the hair. Have you been flat ironing damp? As for the splits I have no idea... they may be a secondary type of damage from where the hair breaks at the white bulbs.

 

[ms-gg]

source: Trichorrhexis nodosa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Trichorrhexis nodosa

Trichorrhexis nodosa is a defect in the hair shaft characterized by thickening or weak points (nodes) that cause the hair to break off easily.[1]:766[2]:636 This group of conditions contributes to the appearance of hair loss, lack of growth, and damaged-looking hair.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Trichorrhexis may have a genetic basis but appears to be precipitated by environmental factors. Among Caucasians the defect often appears at the ends of the hair shaft with splitting of the ends, thinning and whitish discoloration.

These conditions are directly related to environmental causes such as "perming", blow drying, aggressive hair brushing, and excessive chemical exposure.

In some cases, trichorrhexis nodosa may be caused be an underlying disorder such as argininosuccinic aciduria, Menkes' kinky hair syndrome, Netherton's syndrome, hypothyroidism, argininosuccinic lyase deficiency or trichothiodystrophy.
[edit] Symptoms

* lack of apparent hair growth
* hair appears patchy
* hair breaks easily close to scalp
* hair may have thickenings or nodes in the shaft
* ends of hair thinned or split
* whitish discoloration of hair tips
* hair breaks easily at tips

 

[curlyninjagirl]

In the first pic, it looks like your hair is color treated? Sometimes hair that is chemically damaged can't take any kind of heat whatsoever. That first one looks like damage from hair dye or relaxer. My hair looked like that first pic back when I was overprocessed and abusing the curling iron and it was raining breakage. (I don't think it's your scissors, a lot of hair scissors have those.)

 

[Need2gro]

If I am not mistaken, I believe that white dots on your hair= heat damage. It could be the blow dryer (just because you do it once a month does not mean that it cannot cause damage if the heat is too high)....

Your hair maybe really dry. How has it been feeling lately?

My hair doesnt feel dry, I've been deep conditioning quite often. As for the blow dryer, I dont blow with the nozzle on my hair or close to it for that matter, I've been very gentle.

 

[EllePixie]

source: Trichorrhexis nodosa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is what I was going to say...sometimes I look at women's hair and I can tell they have breakage because they have white bulbs on the ends of their hair. My hair did that when it would break (I thought it was just shedding then smh).

Do you use your bonnet on high heat? TBH, when my hair was relaxed it got like that a couple of times (split ends you could vividly see, breakage, mid shaft splits...), and I just cut it off. I felt like when it got to that point, especially with the splits, it was beyond repair.

But let's brainstorm first...

 

[Need2gro]

The white dots are from using heat on wet/damp hair apparently. It causes the water to boil inside the hair and make the cortex to rapidly expand, damaging the hair. Have you been flat ironing damp? As for the splits I have no idea... they may be a secondary type of damage from where the hair breaks at the white bulbs.

I dont ever flat iron damp hair. If i flat iron, which is maybe once every 3 months or so, I usually make sure that I use a protectant.

 

[Need2gro]

In the first pic, it looks like your hair is color treated? Sometimes hair that is chemically damaged can't take any kind of heat whatsoever. That first one looks like damage from hair dye or relaxer. My hair looked like that first pic back when I was overprocessed and abusing the curling iron and it was raining breakage. (I don't think it's your scissors, a lot of hair scissors have those.)

My hair colour is natural, I actually thought my front hair was underprocessed since that portion of my hair didnt even come out straight, it seemed as if the relaxer did nothing to it.

 

[ms-gg]

Edited: nevermind, just saw your post above. The only other causes posted in the article that could apply is "obsessive chemical exposure" and brushing.....

Besides heat and relaxers and they claimed genetics could cause it, I don't know what else to suggest, hope you find a cause.

 

[Need2gro]

Besides all of the other suggestions, what about the color aspect? In the article I posted, another cause of TN= obsessive chemical exposure. Are you relaxed and colored? It looks like your hair is blond, that with the relaxer could be causing breakage. I use to highlight my hair a darker shade of blond and the highlighted hair would always break off

Just relaxed, that's my natural hair colour. My front hair also tends to look that if i co-wash frequently.

 

[Need2gro]

This is what I was going to say...sometimes I look at women's hair and I can tell they have breakage because they have white bulbs on the ends of their hair. My hair did that when it would break (I thought it was just shedding then smh).

Do you use your bonnet on high heat? TBH, when my hair was relaxed it got like that a couple of times (split ends you could vividly see, breakage, mid shaft splits...), and I just cut it off. I felt like when it got to that point, especially with the splits, it was beyond repair.

But let's brainstorm first...

When I use my bonnet, its always on the first setting, the 2nd setting is too hot. I wonder if I should consider a diff blow dryer.. if this 1 is faulty. Coz the 2nd setting does feel too warm.

 

[Nayna]

What are you using for regular deep conditioning?

What are your leave ins?

How do you wear or style your hair after the rollersets?

 

[Need2gro]

What are you using for regular deep conditioning?

What are your leave ins?

How do you wear or style your hair after the rollersets?

Motions CPR for deep conditioning, Tresemme and Rusk Sensories Moist treatment.

Leave-ins are HE LTR/ Rusk Calm cream detangler and Aphogee style & Wrap mousse.

99.9% of the time I bun my hair. At night I always wrap with a stocking, cover with a silk scarf and slp on a silk pillow case.

 

[Nayna]

How often do you relax? Do you protect your ends from overlapping? I'm thinking that you have naturally fragile hair and it's experiencing trauma right now. These splits have only started appearing recently right?

 

[Need2gro]

I relax every 14 - 16 wks and I do protect my previously relaxed hair. Since I can remember I've always had to cut everytime I went to the hairdresser for a relaxer every 3-4 months. Once I started to care for my own hair I found I didnt have to trim so much, but hair has been like doing this on and off the past yr.

 

[Nayna]

We are going to get to the root of this problem! Lol. I know someone that had a similar issue but she was overlapping; in the end she decided to cut all her hair off and start fresh. I don't think you want to do all that so that's why I ask so many questions.

How often are you trimming now?

Also, do you use any oils?

 

[Oasis]

thanks for posting because my hair is the exact same way. i cut my splits and they're back a few days later!

 

[Need2gro]

So far I've been doing S&D every wk after washing, but it becomes really time consuming. I've been thinking of cutting to apl but dont know if that is too drastic.

I seriously hope that I'm not overlapping coz that would scare the hibby jibby outta me. I do struggle sometimes with trying to figure out how much new growth I have. I've been relaxing my own hair for about a yr and a half, but that wouldnt explain the damage on the ends.

I use coconut oil, olive oil and Elasta QP olive oil & Mango butter moisturizer. I alternate these everyday on my ends.

 

[Need2gro]

thanks for posting because my hair is the exact same way. i cut my splits and they're back a few days later!

I'm glad to know I'm not alone. How are you dealing with it?

 

[Nayna]

Judging from the picture, I'm thinking the splits never left because they are splitting up the shaft. I also think the trimming every 3-4 months done by your hairdresser was necessary. If you're going too much longer than that that could also have an effect on your hair so you might have to get your trims more regularly.

 

[Need2gro]

I should go to a professional 2 have my hair trimmed then, but I have yet to find a hairdresser here that I can trust not to cut off too much. Back home, my hairdresser's trim was 3/4 of my new growth, so it took me nearly over a yr to get from s/l to apl..

 

[Nayna]

Trust me I already know about the hairdresser thing. Boy do I. Either way though, you'll have to trim the splits off. I say when shopping for a stylist have a nice long talk about their views on hair and trims and things like that to make sure you guys are on the same page. Also before you let them touch your hair try and see if you can get a glimpse of them trimming. And do not let anyone force you into too large of a trim. You are going to meet some resistance, especially now if the splits are extremely high up the shaft and if it's very noticeable. Expect to hear a lot of deep cut suggestions.

I think trim times are different for every client but I prefer the 3-4 month time in general. If you are on a regular trimming schedule 1/4 inch to an inch is usually okay just to make sure you are a decent distance from a split or knot. You're in a jam because they might have to cut a lot but at the same time you want to make sure it's not excessive. Good luck.

Also how do the rusk products work for moisturizing deep conditions?

 

[FeelinIt]

I solved my hair trimming problem by going to supercuts. They trim exactly what I ask for and they do a great job.

 

[4bslbound]

I have a hair that was slightly worse than your second pic. Im hiding my hair (hadnt relaxed in almost two years), haven't had it professionally straightened, used the heat protectant, etc and STILL get splits.

You could have a porosity issue. My hair always has been chronically dry and easily damaged.
After trying everything, (changed my diet, caring for my scalp, aware of product) and still have had dry hair.

I leave a portion of my hair out in the front for a natural part (I have a sew-in) and I been able to tell what is helping with the porosity thing.

After moisturizing my braids underneath with aloe vera/distilled water mix or Hawaiian silky, I seal with coconut oil.

THEN I spritz with a mix of ACV and distilled water. I feel the cuticles close and my strands pass the porosity test (place a strand of hair in a bowl of water, if it sinks within 2 minutes there is a porosity issue.)

Have you tried going hardcore concerning porosity?

 

[Oasis]

I'm glad to know I'm not alone. How are you dealing with it?

well, i've stopped trimming because the only thing it does is give me shorter hair. it doesn't help with the splits at all because they just come back. i've also started DCing more often and using ceramides.

i'm not seeing any progress yet.

 

[empressri]

I should go to a professional 2 have my hair trimmed then, but I have yet to find a hairdresser here that I can trust not to cut off too much. Back home, my hairdresser's trim was 3/4 of my new growth, so it took me nearly over a yr to get from s/l to apl..

are you ever in NY? cause id recommend my hair dresser whom ive been going to for over 6 years and he knows what a trim is.

im also agreeing with the professional trim too, but like you said you need to find someone you trust.

may i suggest redken anti-snap leave in for your hair? that stuff has gotten me through some times! it helped me with splits and whatnot.

 

[Myjourney2009]

My DD is natural and the same thing was happening to her hair. Constant white ends and constant split ends NO MATTER what.


I just found the culprit, her hair was lacking protein, even though she is natural. She has many textures and densities throughout her head. I felt that the DC'ing should be enough but it wasn't.

I started using a protein shampoo 1x a month (millcreek Keratin) and a protein condtioner 2x a month (millcreek keratin) I only wash her hair 2x a month and already I notice a differnence. Her ends feel smoother and there is just more structure. I dont DC her hair after because I dont feel like she needs it. I just braid it up and put her leave-in on the last six inches or so of her hair and I spray a mixture of AVJ and water with a touch of jojoba oil on the braids close to the scalp and she is good to go. She moisturizers throughout the week and thats it.

I forgot to add I flatiron her hair maybe 1 or 2x a year and I only blowdry during that time on low medium and not til its fully dry eithier. I do low manipulation even after taking out her braids so I know the splits are not because of mechanical damage.


Have you considered incorporating a keratin conditioner in your regimen. Once the hair reaches a certain length especially for relaxed heads the hair needs a fairly constant dose of protein. I see that you are almost BSL so protein is definately going to be good for you. Here is a thread I read yesterday:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/ha...uses-protein-weekly-if-so-what-you-using.html

I am looking at your scissor; I have never seen one for hair with ridges like that. Get one that is smooth to give your self a good search and destroy, it may take you awhile but it can be done with time and patience. Try to break it up btwn a Fri and Sunday.

I hope this helps.


If you know who Sunshyne is she has the Hairlista blog. I read recently that she started using a protein everyweek, she felt that DCing was not enough.

Also if you use a no lye relaxer you are going to need to find a good chelating shampoo. One that I use is Quantum shampoo, it is carried at Sallys.

HTH

 

[renren]

So far I've been doing S&D every wk after washing, but it becomes really time consuming. I've been thinking of cutting to apl but dont know if that is too drastic.

I seriously hope that I'm not overlapping coz that would scare the hibby jibby outta me. I do struggle sometimes with trying to figure out how much new growth I have. I've been relaxing my own hair for about a yr and a half, but that wouldnt explain the damage on the ends.

I use coconut oil, olive oil and Elasta QP olive oil & Mango butter moisturizer. I alternate these everyday on my ends.

Maybe you can incorporate ceramides into your regi. sunflower seed oil, grape seed oil and walnut oil are great. Maybe you can add one of these to your deep conditioners and leave ins.

Also, do you pre poo? Maybe adding this step to your regi everytime you use shampoo can help.

Dont worry chic, we will get to the bottom of this!!

 

[cutenss]

I am having the same issue, but I am natural. My split ends make my skin crawl *shudder* I have alreadt trimmed once, and thinking about cutting back to APL (I was MBLish, and cut back to BSB) But I have incorporated some heavier protein, and porosity control type products. I am OCD about my split ends and SSK. So, I know how you feel.