Breakage for a YEAR

[Nerd.]

This is my first thread ever.
Too bad it is on such a sad issue
First off I would like to thank all of you ladies on the board. You guys have truly helped me make some beneficial decisions in my hair journey. I'm a lurker, so no one truly knows me...but I know YOU


My hair has been breaking off for a year. I am currently relaxed but I have been stretching/transitioning (n/a) for 2 months now. For the past year or so, I have been attempting to lay off the heat by making my stylist solely do roller sets. To keep the style for at least a week, I would pin curl nightly. This is where the breakage began. This is no ordinary breakage. It is almost to the point where I think that maybe I should seek medical advise..
My hair comes out in HEAPS whether it be from something as simple as shaking the pin curls loose/finger combing to detangling with conditioner. The same thing happens with flexirods...braidouts....things of that nature. There is no white follicle bulb at the tip, and the lengths of the broken hairs range from about 1 centimeter to almost the length of my hair (again, with no follicle) The hairs literally snap at any kind of pressure or manipulation.

I have taken into consideration my protein + moisture intake. I know for a fact that I could step my moisture game up. I have been working on this diligently. But the protein is what confuses me.
I am a fitness trainer at a gym, and I work out a lot. Before and after my workouts I take protein supplements (in the form of a shake) and also eat 2 forms of protein daily. So how can my protein intake STILL be suffering?

Here is the thing though...
When I wear my hair straight (whether it be from flat iron or wrapping my rollersets) I notice a COMPLETE change in the amount of breakage... theres almost NONE. I simply do not understand.
Ladies, I know most of you are not professionals (which I don't think matters anyways because my own stylist was left speechless at this pandemic), but I am truly just looking for your heartfelt personal opinions. All are welcome. Do you think that my hair is just too weak for curly styles? (i.e rollersets, pinculrs, flexirods, braidouts) Has this ever happened to any of you from what you can recall?

I have dreams to transition to natural, and I truly hope that my protective styles are not causing more damage than good. I don't want to flatiron my hair every week just so I can keep some on my head
Thank you a million times.

 

[msa]

It sound like your hair is lacking in protein and that's why it's so weak that it breaks when you manipulate it. Generally, when we talk about protein/moisture balance it's in reference to the protein you put on your hair (not in your body). Protein treatments can be really really beneficial because they reinforce your cuticles and make them less prone to breakage. The change your seeing when you have your hair straight is because once it's completely straight it's much easier to manipulate (no curls/bumps/bends/etc to get through when you comb and detangle).

At this point you should focus on getting your protein/moisture balance in check. If you click on the newbie manual in my siggy there's a whole section just on protein and it will really help you to read it first before you go out and buy any products or do anything.

Also, what's your general regimen and products you use? That will help us try to figure out what might be the best protein treatment for you to try.

 

[Nerd.]

Yes. Thank you for your input msa.

3 weeks ago I tried my very first protein treatment on my hair. It was Aphogee 2 minute Reconstructor. Recently this past Saturday (5 days ago) I stepped it up to the Aphogee 2 step protein. After rinsing it out everything seemed fine. But while I rinsed the DC out (KeraCare Humecto+ evoo+ a little ORS ) I had the biggest clump of hair that I have ever documented, come out while detangling under the stream of water.

I use mainly Kera Care Products (the detangling shampoo, the humecto, and the hairdress) NTM silk touch, NTM mask, CHI silk infusion, honey, castor oil, evoo, ORS pak. Those are the things I use on a regular basis

 

[vkb247]

Welcome! Your hair looks beautiful in your avi. I hope that we can help you save it! Tell us more about your hair. Are your strands fine? How do they feel when they are wet? How often did you touch up? How does your hair feel after the Aphoghee but before the dc? Why don't you want to flat iron every week?

Spill the beans!

 

[Esq.2B]

What's your normal regimen? I saw your post in response to MSA but you specified what you did to your hair on two dates but not what you do to your hair generally.

In general, what do you do to your hair daily/weekly/monthly etc.

Also, what products are you using to do each step.

What are you shampooing with? How often?

What are you DCing with? How often?

What are you moisturizing with? How often?

Try to be as detailed as possible please.

 

[msa]

Yes. Thank you for your input msa.

3 weeks ago I tried my very first protein treatment on my hair. It was Aphogee 2 minute Reconstructor. Recently this past Saturday (5 days ago) I stepped it up to the Aphogee 2 step protein. After rinsing it out everything seemed fine. But while I rinsed the DC out (KeraCare Humecto+ evoo+ a little ORS ) I had the biggest clump of hair that I have ever documented, come out while detangling under the stream of water.

I use mainly Kera Care Products (the detangling shampoo, the humecto, and the hairdress) NTM silk touch, NTM mask, CHI silk infusion, honey, castor oil, evoo, ORS pak. Those are the things I use on a regular basis

So since that 2 step treatment have you seen a lot of breakage?

And was the clump of hair broken hairs or shed hairs? And by clump do you mean the hair all came out at the same spot or altogether it was a clump of hair?

 

[Nerd.]

Thank you all again for the help, as well as your kind words
Let me elab:


I started my "healthy hair" journey in July of this year. So I am very much new. I do my hair once a week, either on Saturday or Sunday. I alternate prepooing, Co-washing, and shampoo-ing. But I make sure to deep condition every single week. Period.

To pre poo- ORS Pak, evoo, honey, aloe (the actual plant) and KeraCare Humecto

To Cowash- The Keracare humecto and JUST recently this sunday ,the cheapie VO5 conditioner. I really liked it.

Shampoo- Keracare detangling

DC- Alternate between NTM mask OR ORS+humecto+evoo

When its wet I make sure to just squeeze out the water vs. going crazy with a towel. I wouldn't call my hair or my strands thick at all. But my hair is not "thin". However one side is noticeably very thin due to wrapping on one side for so many years. sigh.
Before roller setting or flexi-ing, I usually apply NTM silk touch and Chi silk infusion to wet hair. I used to put the KeraCare hairdress on wet hair but soon realized my hair hated it very much. After moisturizing I seal it with evoo and put castor oil on the ends (The last 2inches of my ends are very damaged. Beyond repair) After that, I proceed to roller or flex.

I am strictly protective styling alternating flexi rod and roller sets. I have just started (As of 10/10/09) air drying and then sitting under a hooded dryer for the last 15mins or so, to cut back on heat. I am not using the flat iron and only use the blow dryer to blow out my roots after a roller set on very rare occasions.
The reason I do not flat iron anymore is because before stretching/transitioning, I have never seen my new growth this much. I am really trying to get acquainted with it and would hate to start off on a bad foot by flat ironing it right away. Especially if there is a good chance I may go natural. I'm trying to train myself to "deal" with it, I guess you could say. But I have a CHI flatiron that I love...just giving it a break for now.

My last relaxer was August 21th after a 8week stretch. There were times I went 5 weeks. BAD BAD BAD i know But 90% of the time I waited 6 weeks for a touch up.
Thats really it. I know it isn't much, but I have come a long way.


Oh, and as for the 2 minute reconstructor, my hair felt no different. At all. I kept shedding just as before. I just assumed it wasn't strong enough or maybe it needed to be built up with time. However, after washing out the 2 STEP, my hair felt very soft. I followed up with a cheap v05 conditioner before DCing, and my hair felt grreat. The V05 gave my hair much needed slip.
It wasnt unil after the DC were I notcied I still had major shedding. Yes, the "clump" all came from one source location... together. I didnt check for a follicle, i just assumed it was a break. At that point I was fighting back tears, so all I knew was...I was losing some hair.

 

[msa]

Oh, and as for the 2 minute reconstructor, my hair felt no different. At all. I kept shedding just as before. I just assumed it wasn't strong enough or maybe it needed to be built up with time. However, after washing out the 2 STEP, my hair felt very soft. I followed up with a cheap v05 conditioner before DCing, and my hair felt grreat. The V05 gave my hair much needed slip.
It wasnt unil after the DC were I notcied I still had major shedding. Yes, the "clump" all came from one source location... together. I didnt check for a follicle, i just assumed it was a break. At that point I was fighting back tears, so all I knew was...I was losing some hair.

Hmmm...I don't know if what you're having is shedding or breakage and it sounds like you aren't 100% sure either. I do know that a protein treatment cannot stop your shedding...nothing can...it's a natural process that's going to happen no matter what.

The issue is whether you're having abnormal shedding so the clump of hair coming out is a little bit worrisome. It also could have been breakage though (for instance if you manipulate the hair before it softens up from the aphogee it causes breakage).

At this point, since you said your hair was soft after the 2 step you just did you should be on the road to recovery and just need to maintain your balance (which you can do by using the 2 min every week or every 2 weeks).

Since you said the last 2 inches of your hair are damaged beyond repair it's probably fair to say that's where some of your breakage is coming from. You may want to trim that off since it can't be saved anyway.

As far as the rest of it, I think you need to be really gentle with your hair and then pay close close attention to the hair that comes out. If it has a no bulb, then you know for sure it's breakage. Now if it does have a bulb but there seems to be large clumps coming out or obvious thinning then you need to take a look at what might be going on internally. Have you started any new meds lately? or stopped any meds? been really sick/had surgery? changed your diet? not getting enough nutrients (I know you said you teach fitness classes)? All of those things could contribute to abnormal shedding as well as anemia and other health issues, so if it's not anything else you may want to get checked out.

 

[Esq.2B]

Are you sure your hair likes air drying? I use to experience a lot of breakage when I attempted to airdry. It doesn't work for everyone.

 

[Nerd.]

Hmmm...I don't know if what you're having is shedding or breakage and it sounds like you aren't 100% sure either. I do know that a protein treatment cannot stop your shedding...nothing can...it's a natural process that's going to happen no matter what.

The issue is whether you're having abnormal shedding so the clump of hair coming out is a little bit worrisome. It also could have been breakage though (for instance if you manipulate the hair before it softens up from the aphogee it causes breakage).

At this point, since you said your hair was soft after the 2 step you just did you should be on the road to recovery and just need to maintain your balance (which you can do by using the 2 min every week or every 2 weeks).

Since you said the last 2 inches of your hair are damaged beyond repair it's probably fair to say that's where some of your breakage is coming from. You may want to trim that off since it can't be saved anyway.

As far as the rest of it, I think you need to be really gentle with your hair and then pay close close attention to the hair that comes out. If it has a no bulb, then you know for sure it's breakage. Now if it does have a bulb but there seems to be large clumps coming out or obvious thinning then you need to take a look at what might be going on internally. Have you started any new meds lately? or stopped any meds? been really sick/had surgery? changed your diet? not getting enough nutrients (I know you said you teach fitness classes)? All of those things could contribute to abnormal shedding as well as anemia and other health issues, so if it's not anything else you may want to get checked out.

Yes. This all makes perfect sense about the internal causing issues with the external. That is something I will definitely have to look into. As far as I know, there have been no significant changes in the past year from what you have mentioned. Diet, stress, meds, have all been consistent from what I know.
Anemia........im making an appointment tomorrow. Could be.


I do however know for a fact that 98% of my hair all over the bathroom floor is breakage. No questions asked. They range from all different sizes, a "majority" of them are in 1cm to 4 inch zone. No bulb. And it only happens when my hair has any type of bump/curl to it...which is all the time now. Msa, you just don't know what a horrible feeling it is to just commonly gently stroke through your hair and a handful of it be in your palm

I've been following up on very helpful posts about Aphogee, and a majority of the ladies say they use it every 4 to 6 weeks. However, I have been wondering how often I could use the 2 minute, since it is supposedly milder. I really do feel like I need to make some serious changes...especially if protein is my solution.

 

[Nerd.]

Are you sure your hair likes air drying? I use to experience a lot of breakage when I attempted to airdry. It doesn't work for everyone.

The airdrying was a horrible decision when I tried the braidout. Never again.

But when it's in rollers or rods, the results are very satisfying. I was skeptical at first, but they gave me the same results as with the hooded dryer. So I just stuck with it.

Would I ever air dry with my hair "loose"? ....probably not.

 

[msa]

Yes. This all makes perfect sense about the internal causing issues with the external. That is something I will definitely have to look into. As far as I know, there have been no significant changes in the past year from what you have mentioned. Diet, stress, meds, have all been consistent from what I know.
Anemia........im making an appointment tomorrow. Could be.


I do however know for a fact that 98% of my hair all over the bathroom floor is breakage. No questions asked. They range from all different sizes, a "majority" of them are in 1cm to 4 inch zone. No bulb. And it only happens when my hair has any type of bump/curl to it...which is all the time now. Msa, you just don't know what a horrible feeling it is to just commonly gently stroke through your hair and a handful of it be in your palm

I've been following up on very helpful posts about Aphogee, and a majority of the ladies say they use it every 4 to 6 weeks. However, I have been wondering how often I could use the 2 minute, since it is supposedly milder. I really do feel like I need to make some serious changes...especially if protein is my solution.

Oh believe me, I know what it's like to lose hair. Because of medication every time I touched my hair for a few months I had clumps coming out...ended up with silver dollar size bald spots around my head.

Anyway, since you're sure it's breakage you're experiencing it seems protein is your main issue. And since you said it's up to 4 inches long, it may be that your damaged ends are taking some of your healthy hair right along with them.

Either way, since your hair is feeling better with the 2 step continue to monitor it. A lot of people use the 2min weekly (they wash, use the 2min, and then either dc or cowash right after) so you could try that. Just make sure to pay attention to your hair and if it starts feeling hard and brittle then you know you've done too much protein. It's a difficult balancing act, that's for sure.

 

[Nerd.]

every time I touched my hair for a few months I had clumps coming out...ended up with silver dollar size bald spots around my head.

I am so sorry to hear that. That must has been traumatic for you.

All i do is touch the ends and I have 7 loose broken hairs just waiting to be released to the floor.
As a natural, do you think it would be wise for me to just go back to keeping my hair straight through flatiron? I really wanted to transition as healthy as possible and leave my new growth alone so it could do it's thang. But now I just don't know

 

[vkb247]

Have you thought about trying henna or BKT?

 

[msa]

I am so sorry to hear that. That must has been traumatic for you.

All i do is touch the ends and I have 7 loose broken hairs just waiting to be released to the floor.
As a natural, do you think it would be wise for me to just go back to keeping my hair straight through flatiron? I really wanted to transition as healthy as possible and leave my new growth alone so it could do it's thang. But now I just don't know

Well, see since you said you have 2 inches of damaged ends that are beyond repair I really think most of your breakage is probably coming from there. I'm wondering if you cut those off would you still be having as much breakage.

Whether you'll experience the same problem as a natural remains to be seen...you just won't know until you start using heat on your natural hair. I will say that you should make your transition as easy for yourself as you can. So if that means flat ironing (within reason and the right protections), then do it. But since you said rollers/rods are working for you then I would say with that. No reason to use heat if you don't need it.

 

[Liege4421]

Hi...I have a question regarding your diet. Have you taken any hormone therapy that is different (this includes birth control)...or any other new medications? Do you take a multivitamin (you should probably start)...have you tried taking garlic supplements? If your hair is shedding, and not breaking, garlic is very helpful, as is a multi-vitamin. Additionally, how much protein do you eat a day? Hair is made up of protein, so adding some lean protein to your diet can help strengthen your strands from the scalp. I would just add two scrambled eggs to breakfast and some lean chicken to your salad at lunch. If you think it's a scalp problem, you can see a dermatologist.

 

[Nerd.]

Have you thought about trying henna or BKT?

I need to read up more on henna. I always thought It was just to alter the color of your hair, but I am quickly learning that it is not! I feel the same way regarding BKT. I have, however, seen the process on youtube. All of that heat they use during the process is a little scary to me.

Well, see since you said you have 2 inches of damaged ends that are beyond repair I really think most of your breakage is probably coming from there. I'm wondering if you cut those off would you still be having as much breakage.

YOU are going to think I am crazy. After I read your last post, today I decided to scoop up all the clumps of hair I could find and literally sort through each one, trying to document what exactly was happening. You will not believe the amount of single/double strand knots (I think that is what your call them?) attached to the clumps of hair. As much as I cringe at the thought of cutting any of my hair...at this point, I am clueless of an alternative other than getting rid of my ends completely. Unless I can just search and destroy them all?

 

[Nerd.]

Hi...I have a question regarding your diet. Have you taken any hormone therapy that is different (this includes birth control)...or any other new medications? Do you take a multivitamin (you should probably start)...have you tried taking garlic supplements? If your hair is shedding, and not breaking, garlic is very helpful, as is a multi-vitamin. Additionally, how much protein do you eat a day? Hair is made up of protein, so adding some lean protein to your diet can help strengthen your strands from the scalp. I would just add two scrambled eggs to breakfast and some lean chicken to your salad at lunch. If you think it's a scalp problem, you can see a dermatologist.

Hi Liege, thank you for your input.


I have not taken any medications that could alter my hormonal levels for over a year. No birth control, no nothing.
As far as a multivitamin, I used to take OneaDay and Centrum, but I was just truly having a hard time keeping up with them at the time. The way I would take them on and off, I felt was just redundant erplexed
Garlic Supplements have been on my wish list for almost 2 months now. My mother actually ingests PIECES of garlic every couple nights, vs. it in a form of a supplement. I have read that garlic as MANY medical benefits, just not for shedding hair. So it's definitely something I will be practicing in the very near future.

In my first post I mentioned my high level of protein intake. Like I stated, I am a fitness trainer at a public gym. I have been having to increase my my nutritional protein intake almost religiously because I was having a hard time keeping muscle weight on my body (I run a LOT). I'm already petite...i don't need to be a stick too. But thanks again for the very good observations. Eggs and lean chicken breast is something I practice daily.