Breakage in the middle of my head :(

[Glib Gurl]

I have breakage in the middle of my head I try to be gentle when I rollerset and wear a scarf even when I'm just lounging around the house. I guess I have to pay more attention to the ends in the middle of my head (I do a great job with the hairline and the ends at the back, but the middle tends to get overlooked.)

Anyone else have and FIX this problem? Any tips?

I swear it looks like I have the worst, self-inflicted mushroom cut ever

 

[virtuenow]

are you natural or relaxed? I have been researching this issue continuously since I'm dealing w/the same thing... (I'm natural 4b)

 

[ms.blue]

I tend to apply my conditioning on the crown b/c its drier than the rest of my hair also I don't mess with the area much like combing. Just do the same as you have been doing to your edges and nape to the crown area and you should be fine.

 

[HennaRo]

I have the same problem-the whole crown is inches shorter than the rest of my head. Can't do twists because that hair is extra special there. Have to moisturize that area like crazy and constantly.

 

[TeeWhyAre]

i have crown breakage too, glib. just gotta treat that area special.

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

My crown is the same way. I'd always wondered why... I found out when I went natural. The grass that grows there is a completely different texture than the rest. It's wavy but very coarse and more likely to mat than the rest. I have to give it extra moisture and be VERY gentle with it. So far, so good.

 

[sqzbly1908]

Hey Friend-

I have been using L'oreal Everstrong Overnight Treatment and Alterna Overnight Treatment - the Alterna is used on nights before I shampoo - the L'oreal does not have to be rinsed in the morning - I have been using them for about 5 months and they have really strengthened my hair.

I did not have any crown issues but I am no longer having any light breakage issues.

 

[Bettina]

I too have this problem. I get the dreaded single strand knots and dryness....I have tried Porosity control, ACV, but this part of my hair remains brittle, dry and tangled. My plan is to steam my hair and add a little more protein and when moisturising add product to this area first. I'm peaking in for more suggestions.

 

[ms-gg]

The middle of my head is special too. I just baby it as much as possible....

 

[Candy828]

Believe it or not.... with hair as long as mine, I have this problem. My crown hair is dry and before I started really paying attention to it, it was also brittle and broke off like crazy.

To get my crown to grow longer this is what I have done and continue to do:

I clip off single strand knots. (this is the area I get them...)
I keep this part of the hair oiled from crown to the ends.
I massage that area every morning and evening.
If I use shampoo, I can only use oil based shampoo because this area will dry up and snap off.
Even though I use a leave-in conditioner... I have to also oil this area.... I never let it dry out. (always oil from crown to ends)
I rarely use heat, but if I do, I do a light press. The area is oiled before I do it and if it feels dry I oil it again...

This is working for me.... I don't have that short in the middle look any more...

 

[wavezncurlz]

yeah, what's with the crown hairs. Mine is a whole different texture and breaks like crazy.

 

[divachyk]

My sister has the problem...please keep the suggestions coming.

 

[lana]

I actually had this problem with the nape of my hair. The nape was prone to breakage and tangling because it's a more tightly coiled texture than evertyhing from my ears up to my crown. I'm basically 4b all around but some is more tightly coiled in the back.

I solved this problem. You may not like my answer but....I want to help others so....I started using Softee Grease.

I use it daily, just a small amount rubbed into the strands and I keep up with my trimming. The back of my hair has really grown out fabulously!

I'm very happy with the results.

My breakage stemmed from dry hair due to using a No-Lye relaxer. I now use Lye relaxers for my Texlaxing and I don't have dry hair like that anymore or any serious breakage issue. I hope this helps.

 

[Eiano]

Yep, I have this problem. At first I thought it was from my roller setting and the hot air being too close to the crown, so I haven't roller set in over a year, no change.... it's short, dry and breaks if i even were to tug on it ever so slightly... have no clue what to do.... and I'm tired of going to the salon and them saying, "WHOA... your hair is jacked in the middle," in spanish.

 

[TwistNMx]

Do any of you with the crown breakage part your hair down the middle a lot? I'm just thinking it may be possibly that....

 

[Candy828]

Do any of you with the crown breakage part your hair down the middle a lot? I'm just thinking it may be possibly that....

Actually, I never use to wear my hair parted down the middle.... and the whole time the middle was dry and the sides was not. The sides alway grew long and the middle just struggled. Now I part down the middle to monitor how moist the center is. Also the part is not directly center. I alternate that so the hair gets what they call a "workout". I am only oiling a little at a time so it is not over done. But I can monitor better by switching the part and giving it a little stretch (not too tight). If you notice.... when you put your hair up in a ponytail or bun you are always bringing up the sides of your hair...so the sides get that little stretch and "workout" that the middle doesn't get... so I started doing the two ponytails and I usually make two buns. The middle gets a little stretch too, plus the extra moisture. I went from not being able to get to WL in the center to pass TL. That is an accomplishment!

 

[Glib Gurl]

Wow - this feedback is amazing. Not that I'm glad others are experiencing this problem, I am relieved to know that it's not *just* me and something bad that I'm doing to my hair. To respond to a few posts:

are you natural or relaxed? I have been researching this issue continuously since I'm dealing w/the same thing... (I'm natural 4b)

I am 4b relaxed

My crown is the same way. I'd always wondered why... I found out when I went natural. The grass that grows there is a completely different texture than the rest. It's wavy but very coarse and more likely to mat than the rest. I have to give it extra moisture and be VERY gentle with it. So far, so good.

Hey Friend-

I have been using L'oreal Everstrong Overnight Treatment and Alterna Overnight Treatment - the Alterna is used on nights before I shampoo - the L'oreal does not have to be rinsed in the morning - I have been using them for about 5 months and they have really strengthened my hair.

I did not have any crown issues but I am no longer having any light breakage issues.

Believe it or not.... with hair as long as mine, I have this problem. My crown hair is dry and before I started really paying attention to it, it was also brittle and broke off like crazy.

To get my crown to grow longer this is what I have done and continue to do:

I clip off single strand knots. (this is the area I get them...)
I keep this part of the hair oiled from crown to the ends.
I massage that area every morning and evening.
If I use shampoo, I can only use oil based shampoo because this area will dry up and snap off.
Even though I use a leave-in conditioner... I have to also oil this area.... I never let it dry out. (always oil from crown to ends)
I rarely use heat, but if I do, I do a light press. The area is oiled before I do it and if it feels dry I oil it again...

This is working for me.... I don't have that short in the middle look any more...

These are great tips

Yep, I have this problem. At first I thought it was from my roller setting and the hot air being too close to the crown, so I haven't roller set in over a year, no change.... it's short, dry and breaks if i even were to tug on it ever so slightly... have no clue what to do.... and I'm tired of going to the salon and them saying, "WHOA... your hair is jacked in the middle," in spanish.

Right????

Do any of you with the crown breakage part your hair down the middle a lot? I'm just thinking it may be possibly that....

Nope, never

 

[Natirelle]

My hair been like this ever since I started getting relaxers, and that was the age of 8. When I was natural as a kid looking back at my pictures my hair has been the same length all over. (from pony tails to micro braids)
After I got relaxers my hair constantly use to break off in the middle, and the hair would be noticeably thinner esp when in braids, I hated getting them.
Now since I'am natural the hair still break off, its not as bad aa it was when i was relaxed, but I know my hair, and its more drier at the scalp in that area.
I always thought it for ME, it was some type of side effect of using relaxers..... idk.

 

[divachyk]

I actually had this problem with the nape of my hair. The nape was prone to breakage and tangling because it's a more tightly coiled texture than evertyhing from my ears up to my crown. I'm basically 4b all around but some is more tightly coiled in the back.

I solved this problem. You may not like my answer but....I want to help others so....I started using Softee Grease.

I use it daily, just a small amount rubbed into the strands and I keep up with my trimming. The back of my hair has really grown out fabulously!

I'm very happy with the results.

My breakage stemmed from dry hair due to using a No-Lye relaxer. I now use Lye relaxers for my Texlaxing and I don't have dry hair like that anymore or any serious breakage issue. I hope this helps.

I have shorter hairs in my nape and for some reason, I feel like they are getting shorter, as in breaking. I noticed I wasn't moisturizing this area enough because I was focusing so much on my ends that I somewhat neglected the nape and edges. The nape gets dry especially if you wear collard shirts and/or coats or suit jackets, as I do so moisturizing, as I am finding, is very important.

 

[steffiejoe]

Yep I have problems with my crown area also. I never had this problem when my hair was relaxed. Since I've been natural this is the weakest part of my hair. I actually looked at a few strands from my crown area under a microscope. I saw the hairs had holes up and down the hair strands and major splits. I thought it was caused by henna or heat from my hooded dryer.

Then I learned about hygral(sp?) fatigue not sure if I spelled it right . Im sure you guys have heard about. It's when the hair is weakened due to swelling and contraction during the uptake of water.It causes damage to the hair cuticle and cortex, hence the holes in my hair strands and major splits. I stopped cowashing or keeping my hair wet , also no more over night deep conditioning with conditioners. I only use coconut oil as a pre poo treatment . My crown area has made a tremodous improvement . The hair in my crown area is a weaker texture(4B) and it can't take to much swelling and contraction. Now my crown has made a 95% turn around. I make sure I search and destroy that area to cut down on single strand knots . Since I figured out what my crown does not like I am seeing major progress in this area and I have less splits.

 

[trackstar]

Yep I have problems with my crown area also. I never had this problem when my hair was relaxed. Since I've been natural this is the weakest part of my hair. I actually looked at a few strands from my crown area under a microscope. I saw the hairs had holes up and down the hair strands and major splits. I thought it was caused by henna or heat from my hooded dryer.

Then I learned about hygral(sp?) fatigue not sure if I spelled it right . Im sure you guys have heard about. It's when the hair is weakened due to swelling and contraction during the uptake of water.It causes damage to the hair cuticle and cortex, hence the holes in my hair strands and major splits. I stopped cowashing or keeping my hair wet , also no more over night deep conditioning with conditioners. I only use coconut oil as a pre poo treatment . My crown area has made a tremodous improvement . The hair in my crown area is a weaker texture(4B) and it can't take to much swelling and contraction. Now my crown has made a 95% turn around. I make sure I search and destroy that area to cut down on single strand knots . Since I figured out what my crown does not like I am seeing major progress in this area and I have less splits.

wooahhh never heard of that! Do you have any suggestions for diagnosing this without looking under a microscope?

 

[steffiejoe]

wooahhh never heard of that! Do you have any suggestions for diagnosing this without looking under a microscope?

Maybe you can look at your hair stand under a bright light, near a lamp. Also, I saw a You tube video where the you tuber mailed in hair samples to Trichologist Dr. Lisa Akbari . She will analyze your hair strands and tell you what products to use to strengthen your stands. I have no experience with Dr. Akbari's site but you can google her site to find out more information. Also here is a link to Natural Haven blog talking about Hygral fatigue, THE NATURAL HAVEN: How important is water?

HTH

 

[prettybyrd]

I had this problem when I relaxed a long time ago and I increased DC's and just upped my moistured altogether, and the problem was resolved over time. Once I went natural, I hopped on every natural band-wagon I could, and ended up drying my hair out terribly because I couldn't find an all natural DC, and once again, it broke off in the crown, but when I decided to start using my old favorite DC, sealing, and using better moisturizers, my hair flourished. I haven't had this problem for about 5 years now.

I hope that your breakage is easily fix, OP. Good luck!

 

[pisceschica]

I have this problem too.

I think one of the biggest contributers is that the hair in that section tends to be the most coarse. The hair changes direction of growth in that area which is why you have cowlicks.

 

[ElizaBlue]

I was experiencing this but figured out that it was exactly where I put the comb to my bun all the time. And on days when I didn't comb it I still didn't take the pony tail down, so this area would completely dry out with the crimps from the comb. A reciepe for breakage.

Now I drip EVOO on the top of my head while still wet, as I coat the rest of my hair, and put generous amounts of ORS Shea Butter on that area (this stuff is absolutely majic) then I coat the length of my pony tail in vasoline (I know I know but my ends are healthy) and then wrap it around itself before attaching my bun.

Voila! No more breakage.

 

[CuteMeeka]

Bumpity bump

 

[keepithealthy]

My hair been like this ever since I started getting relaxers, and that was the age of 8. When I was natural as a kid looking back at my pictures my hair has been the same length all over. (from pony tails to micro braids)
After I got relaxers my hair constantly use to break off in the middle, and the hair would be noticeably thinner esp when in braids, I hated getting them.
Now since I'am natural the hair still break off, its not as bad aa it was when i was relaxed, but I know my hair, and its more drier at the scalp in that area.
I always thought it for ME, it was some type of side effect of using relaxers..... idk.

Same story here and I thought the same thing as the bold. I have found that making sure that area is properly moisturized is important. It is MUCH drier than the rest of my hair. So even though the rest of my hair may be moisturized that area can still be dry. So now I use the crown as the basis for whether my hair is moisturized. If the crown is moisturized the rest of the head is good.

 

[new2haircare]

I too thought that this was happening to only me. I also thought that it must be my hooded dryer place too close to my hair when I use to roller set. But I realized that I stop paying close attention to that area. So Now I try to pay close attention to it as I do to the ends. It's good to know that I'm not alone. Thanks for all the suggestion ladies and this thread op. That's why I like LHCF.

 

[rockstar]

yeah, what's with the crown hairs. Mine is a whole different texture and breaks like crazy.

Mine is a COMPLETELY different texture as well and short! I'm glad I'm not the only one. I thought I was "special".

 

[beana]

I have dry wiry hair in my crown too! Plus my scalp feels tender there.

Ladies with dry/breaking crowns, is the scalp also tender?