I am losing my cool with this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mandy4610]

No matter what I do, the hair on the back of my head just won't give in. It breaks, it is significantly shorter than the rest of my head and I just can not grow it. As soon as it reaches a certain length, it starts breaking. It tangles like crazy and is very dry. I have tried MN, BT, deep conditioning, extra moisturizing, but nothing seems to make a difference. I am up to my neck with this. I am so ready to throw in the towel. If anyone else has experienced this, please adopt me and help me deal with this. I can not put my finger on what the cause is, all I know is that it is hindering my goal length.
Please please help.

ETA: Its just the very centre of the back of my head. The sides seem to be not as bad

 

[hOnii]

One of the major things that I realized (a little too late) was the cause of my nape/edge breakage was my frequent use of my beloved banana clip. I found all kinds of ways to do my hair with it, and it was great, until I noticed that it had cut out my edges clean where I would clip it, and broke off my name area. Are you using any kind of hair accessory that may be the cause of the breakage?

 

[Inches411]

No matter what I do, the hair on the back of my head just won't give in. It breaks, it is significantly shorter than the rest of my head and I just can not grow it. As soon as it reaches a certain length, it starts breaking. It tangles like crazy and is very dry. I have tried MN, BT, deep conditioning, extra moisturizing, but nothing seems to make a difference. I am up to my neck with this. I am so ready to throw in the towel. If anyone else has experienced this, please adopt me and help me deal with this. I can not put my finger on what the cause is, all I know is that it is hindering my goal length.
Please please help.

im not sure if this will work but since u tried dc and extra moisturizing maybe try protein conditioner. I dunno if it will work but try and see what happens but make sure u follow with a moisturizing conditioner

 

[SEMO]

One of the major things that I realized (a little too late) was the cause of my nape/edge breakage was my frequent use of my beloved banana clip. I found all kinds of ways to do my hair with it, and it was great, until I noticed that it had cut out my edges clean where I would clip it, and broke off my name area. Are you using any kind of hair accessory that may be the cause of the breakage?

In addition to the above (which is a good tip), maybe you need to wear your hair in a protective style (that keeps your ends moisturized) at least until you get over this particular length hurdle. But beware like honii said that your accessories aren't sabotaging you. I hope someone comes to adopt you.

 

[netnet26]

What help me grow my nape and back dramatically was that I did not relax it w/ every relaxer.....I relaxed really when I seen new growth....I realized OVERPROCESSING my nape area was causing it to break no matter how much I moisturized or deep conditioned...You are only supposed to relax when there is new growth.... my nape grows EXTREMELY slow so I would only relax maybe every second or even third relax time .......That is what truly made a difference in my nape...also I did not brush that area as well....Unless I was in a wedding or something I did not brush or try not to mess w/ it much....My nape is now retaining it's length....and is growing MUCH MUCH better....

HTH...

 

[Traycee]

Can we see you regimen and your products....so we can all help you narrow it down ????

 

[yodie]

No matter what I do, the hair on the back of my head just won't give in. It breaks, it is significantly shorter than the rest of my head and I just can not grow it. As soon as it reaches a certain length, it starts breaking. It tangles like crazy and is very dry. I have tried MN, BT, deep conditioning, extra moisturizing, but nothing seems to make a difference. I am up to my neck with this. I am so ready to throw in the towel. If anyone else has experienced this, please adopt me and help me deal with this. I can not put my finger on what the cause is, all I know is that it is hindering my goal length.
Please please help.

You must be my twin Mandy. My hair has ALWAYS been short in the nape area and it has never grown to where I could wear my hair up without being embarrassed.

I wore relaxers for years, even with the fact that my hair always broke off from them. I think YEARS of over processing it just killed my kitchen, other than the fact that my hair just grows very slowly in this area.

I'm transitioning again and I can honestly say that right now, I have more hair in my nape area than I've had since I was a child (In my 30's now).

Lately, I've used MN consistently with some aut gro oil and Scurl spray. It's not perfect, but I could probably brush really hard and wear my hair up with some manipulation.

THing is, it's getting there, but it's a slow process for me. I can never wear relaxers again.

OH.. biotin has helped too. I read somewhere on this post that iron is key to getting hair to grow. I'm anemic and maybe my hair always suffered from this. I now switch off between beef liver pills (don't wanna eat the meat and it does wonders for my energy level), biotin and iron.

Hope this helps. Feel free to share your frustrations with me.
I completely understand.

 

[Mandy4610]

Can we see you regimen and your products....so we can all help you narrow it down ????

Hey thank you so much. I just recently changed my regimen, but my old regimen is in my fotki http://public.fotki.com/Mwando/
I am currently trying to follow Macheries regimen. My fotki also gives an idea of products I was using before.
I am currently doing this:
PREPOO- ORS hair mayo
Shampoo with Mizani Shampoo
DC-Keracare Humecto
Keracare Leave in + Silken seal
Moisturise with Keracare hair dress or Elasta QP mango butter or Fantasia frizz buster or S-curl.
I do a hard core protein every month with Aphogee
I relax every 8-10 wks with Mizani mild (lye)

I normally wear protective styles. I use a claw clip. I have started to avoid hair elastics.
I normally sleep on my back and I wear a satin bonnet to bed.

 

[Mandy4610]

You must be my twin Mandy. My hair has ALWAYS been short in the nape area and it has never grown to where I could wear my hair up without being embarrassed.

I wore relaxers for years, even with the fact that my hair always broke off from them. I think YEARS of over processing it just killed my kitchen, other than the fact that my hair just grows very slowly in this area.

I'm transitioning again and I can honestly say that right now, I have more hair in my nape area than I've had since I was a child (In my 30's now).

Lately, I've used MN consistently with some aut gro oil and Scurl spray. It's not perfect, but I could probably brush really hard and wear my hair up with some manipulation.

THing is, it's getting there, but it's a slow process for me. I can never wear relaxers again.

OH.. biotin has helped too. I read somewhere on this post that iron is key to getting hair to grow. I'm anemic and maybe my hair always suffered from this. I now switch off between beef liver pills (don't wanna eat the meat and it does wonders for my energy level), biotin and iron.

Hope this helps. Feel free to share your frustrations with me.
I completely understand.

Thank you so much, I am seriously contemplating going natural. I never experience this before until about a year or so ago, so I really don't know. I am scared to death of transitioning, because I just don't think I can give as much time to my natural hair, as I think is needed. I have never flat ironed before. I did rollersets on natural hair though, when I was younger.

 

[wheezy807]

I remember reading about this from a former member but come to find out the hair in her nape area had a different texture from the rest of her hair. So she had to treat that hair totally different and give it extra tlc.

 

[Traycee]

Hey thank you so much. I just recently changed my regimen, but my old regimen is in my fotki http://public.fotki.com/Mwando/
I am currently trying to follow Macheries regimen. My fotki also gives an idea of products I was using before.
I am currently doing this:
PREPOO- ORS hair mayo
Shampoo with Mizani Shampoo
DC-Keracare Humecto
Keracare Leave in + Silken seal
Moisturise with Keracare hair dress or Elasta QP mango butter or Fantasia frizz buster or S-curl.
I do a hard core protein every month with Aphogee
I relax every 8-10 wks with Mizani mild (lye)

I normally wear protective styles. I use a claw clip. I have started to avoid hair elastics.
I normally sleep on my back and I wear a satin bonnet to bed.

Your regimen looks good....the only thing that bothers me is you do a faithful hardcore protein....Hardcore protein should only be used if it is needed and not on a schedule....if hair is mushy or stretchy then u should do hard core protein...too much protein causes breakage ....

Also me personally I can be doing everything right but if I'm not eating right I have breakage...Start taking a multi and bioton and msm if your not already!!!

 

[Mandy4610]

I remember reading about this from a former member but come to find out the hair in her nape area had a different texture from the rest of her hair. So she had to treat that hair totally different and give it extra tlc.

Maybe this is my case, its so hard to tell. I noticed that I get NG faster in this area, but as soon as the NG comes in the relaxed hair starts to break.

 

[Mandy4610]

Your regimen looks good....the only thing that bothers me is you do a faithful hardcore protein....Hardcore protein should only be used if it is needed and not on a schedule....if hair is mushy or stretchy then u should do hard core protein...too much protein causes breakage ....

Also me personally I can be doing everything right but if I'm not eating right I have breakage...Start taking a multi and bioton and msm if your not already!!!

My hair is quiet strechy and mushy sometimes, so I think I need to do protein, but I have not mastered this technical yet.
I know for sure that I need to work on my overrall healthy and eating habits. I am not good with swallowing vitamins, but maybe its time to take it seriously.

 

[cmw45]

I think there was a thread by one LHCFer who cornrows the very last row of her hair and lets the rest of her hair cover it. She used it to grow out her nape and I know several other ladies are now doing it as well. It's worth a shot.

 

[Traycee]

I would suggest following up immediately with a moisturizing deep conditioner after your protein treatments

 

[Mandy4610]

This is the pattern it grows in. Very strange because it is right in the middle of the back.

This was before I cut it, but it seems to be still growing like this.

 

[Mandy4610]

I would suggest following up immediately with a moisturizing deep conditioner after your protein treatments

How long do you think I should DC for?

 

[Traycee]

Wow ....thats kind of in the middle...that happen to me about 9 years ago ...but my problem was when I conditioned and moisturized I never got the middle....so now when I condition and moisturize I do it in sections

 

[yodie]

Thank you so much, I am seriously contemplating going natural. I never experience this before until about a year or so ago, so I really don't know. I am scared to death of transitioning, because I just don't think I can give as much time to my natural hair, as I think is needed. I have never flat ironed before. I did rollersets on natural hair though, when I was younger.

This is my third or fourth time transitioning. Some will say it's sweatless, but I don't like the transition phase and I'm not one to do the BC and wear a tiny fro.

My hair thrives much better in it's natural state and being natural is the only time that I get any amount of growth in my nape area.

I'd be relaxed forever if my hair could stand the lye or no-lye chemicals. It just can't, so natural it is for me.

You could always just let your nape go natural.

 

[hopeful]

Treat that area separately from the rest of your hair. Really baby it, try to keep it moist and leave it alone as much as possible. My entire nape area was always breaking off for years. It was horrible. Going natural really helped. Like Netnet26 & Yodie that section of my hair grows very slowly as well. Also it is a different texture than the rest of my hair, drier, finer, and kinkier. Anywho, after I stopped relaxing and bc'd, I really babied that area with tons of moisture and oil and gentle handling. My nape area has finally taken off and I think the growth rate there is actually increasing as well. Baby it and try to be patient with that area.

 

[SmartyPants]

How long do you think I should DC for?

Mandy:

After a hard core ApHogee Treatment, I usually moisturize under the dryer with a plastic cap for 45-60 minutes. And, the ApHogee moisturizer is crap with a capital "C" so use something better (I use Nexxus Humectress).

 

[cutenappygrl]

Here's the grow your nape tutorial thread:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=197345
Hope this helps.

 

[scarcity21]

This is the pattern it grows in. Very strange because it is right in the middle of the back.

This was before I cut it, but it seems to be still growing like this.

OMG Mandy, thats exactly the same thing im going thru and im NATURAL! http://public.fotki.com/scarcity21-2/2nd-year-natural/3rd-quarter-2007-se/1000559.htmlI cut the left and right sides in August to even out, why did it grow back the same way? im ALMOST beginning to think its my growth pattern really do NOT wanna believe that tho but i refuse to even out again until i reach APL in that area...the ladies have given goodd advice, i do most of what yall suggested and im seeing very slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww progress!

 

[Platinum]

My hair is quiet strechy and mushy sometimes, so I think I need to do protein, but I have not mastered this technical yet.
I know for sure that I need to work on my overrall healthy and eating habits. I am not good with swallowing vitamins, but maybe its time to take it seriously.

I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to you. I had a severe case of breakage at my nape a few months ago.

Question, have you tried a liquid multivitamin? I know Geritol makes one. This may help, plus it's good source of Iron ( I noticed you mentioned that you were anemic).

Do you sleep on your back? Are you using cotton pillow cases? You may need a Satin one.

 

[betty-boo]

I find what has helped me with my nape is not relaxing it with every relaxer.
Also, mositurising it and putting castor oil on it twice a day.
Lastly, when I wear my hair up, I make sure that this area is not pulled at all, but is very very loose - so that there's a little sag in this area.

 

[Mandy4610]

OMG Mandy, thats exactly the same thing im going thru and im NATURAL! http://public.fotki.com/scarcity21-2/2nd-year-natural/3rd-quarter-2007-se/1000559.htmlI cut the left and right sides in August to even out, why did it grow back the same way? im ALMOST beginning to think its my growth pattern really do NOT wanna believe that tho but i refuse to even out again until i reach APL in that area...the ladies have given goodd advice, i do most of what yall suggested and im seeing very slowwwwwwwwwwwwwww progress!

Oh wow, you are right, your hair grows in the same pattern too. Exactly what have you been doing?

 

[Mandy4610]

Here's the grow your nape tutorial thread:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=197345
Hope this helps.

Thank you girl, this is helpful.

 

[BlondeByDesire]

Hey thank you so much. I just recently changed my regimen, but my old regimen is in my fotki http://public.fotki.com/Mwando/
I am currently trying to follow Macheries regimen. My fotki also gives an idea of products I was using before.
I am currently doing this:
PREPOO- ORS hair mayo
Shampoo with Mizani Shampoo
DC-Keracare Humecto
Keracare Leave in + Silken seal
Moisturise with Keracare hair dress or Elasta QP mango butter or Fantasia frizz buster or S-curl.
I do a hard core protein every month with Aphogee
I relax every 8-10 wks with Mizani mild (lye)

I normally wear protective styles. I use a claw clip. I have started to avoid hair elastics.
I normally sleep on my back and I wear a satin bonnet to bed.

just putting my 2 cents in .... I think the hard core protein is Aphgoee every month is too much ... try doing a light protein maybe every two weeks - ORS mayo?

 

[Lovelylocs]

My hair is quiet strechy and mushy sometimes, so I think I need to do protein, but I have not mastered this technical yet.
I know for sure that I need to work on my overrall healthy and eating habits. I am not good with swallowing vitamins, but maybe its time to take it seriously.

Yes. You definately do need protein. IMO, u probably need more protein than once a month. How often do you wash? How does ur hair feel when it is dry? Do you have a problem detangling the back of your hair? (<--- From the picture that's what it looks like. It looks like 1)ur hair needs some more strength, and 2)maybe the back gets more tangly than the sides)

 

[Traycee]

Mandy:

After a hard core ApHogee Treatment, I usually moisturize under the dryer with a plastic cap for 45-60 minutes. And, the ApHogee moisturizer is crap with a capital "C" so use something better (I use Nexxus Humectress).

Agree with everything she just said...