Breakage with wet/damp buns

[Napp]

Does anyone else have this issue? I've been having this issue for a long time, both as a natural and relaxed head. Whenever I wear my hair in an unstraightened state I tend to go for a wet/damp bun because it is quick to do. After wearing one my hair is always matted(not tangled,MATTED)

I wore a bun this week and when it was time to wash I was astounded. A huge clump of hair came out Not to mention I had a few small dreadlocks hiding in inside.

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I did everything "right".

I waited until my hair was dampish to bun.
I detangled throughly making sure there was no shed hair before i put the bun in.
I took it down every night.
I moisturized and sealed every night.
I changed positions every day.
I used a banana clip instead of a ponytail holder.
I did not pull my hair tight.
I removed some shed hair every few days.
I used a conditioner to slick my hair down instead of gel.

but still, STILL, STILL it broke off.

I just don't get it.

I always read success stories about bunning to waist length and the like but every time i bun I end up with thinner and more uneven hair then If i just stick to my usual routine.

I do have to say though, the damage is alot more visible now that I am transitioning as compared to when i was 100% natural or 100% relaxed.

 

[0live0il]

The solution I found to this problem was to braid my hair whilst it was damp. Since then my hair's growth has sky rocketed. My hair no longer gets matted or anything. I would highly recommend trying that.

 

[Froreal3]

I usually braid my hair or twist it while slightly damp. Or I will dampen with water, apply a cream and an oil, then braid the twists up into a bun. I don't bun my loose hair often.

 

[Napp]

The solution I found to this problem was to braid my hair whilst it was damp. Since then my hair's growth has sky rocketed. My hair no longer gets matted or anything. I would highly recommend trying that.

I usually braid my hair or twist it while slightly damp. Or I will dampen with water, apply a cream and an oil, then braid the twists up into a bun. I don't bun my loose hair often.

My hair still tangles when i braid up the ends. When I do twist the twist matt within themselves. If i was to do individuals i would not get tangling(unless i wet my hair frequently) but they frizz quickly and Its hard to get them to look neat without redoing them. I don't have time for that.

Also braiding and twisting kills all my volume and my hair is fine so i end up with a nub for a bun. No bueno.

 

[Rozlewis]

Napp, thanks for posting this question. The same thing happens to me. I am interested in what others have experienced and some of their tips to prevent this.

 

[TamaraShaniece]

I have the same issues....I get tons of ssk's though....I want to be able to bun but its damaging my ends.

 

[itsjusthair88]

I may not be that much of a help, but I don't make buns with just my hair, I use a bit of Marley hair as a "shell" over my hair, if that make sense...?

I don't bun on damp hair, I air-dry in twists like I'm going to do a twist-out and then I brush the hair up (with my hands) and I do 6 braids. I put the braids up with a long piece of black elastic material (I cut it from a pair of leggings) and pull it up like I'm doing a puff.

Then I wrap the Marley hair around the braids and it works for me. I only wet my hair once or twice a week, so if you want to do frequent co-washing, this won't be a good method for you, but if you're a low-manipulation gal like me, this might work.

I take it down when I get in the house and I can still moisturize and get to my scalp. HTH.

 

[Fhrizzball]

I've started damp bunning and I find i have to cowash more often for it to work for me so I can't go a whole week or whatever without rewetting my hair in the shower.

 

[naheda72]

When I use to wet/damp bun, my hair broke off. I only bun braided/twisted hair. I braid/twist my hair from a stretched dry state, then I can dampen my hair and bun every morning.

 

[LadyEuphoria007]

I get breakage from doing the baggy method. I think that it's due to me having fine hair.

 

[Napp]

I am just going to give up on them and just do buns on straight or very stretched hair and not keep it in for longer than 3 days.

 

[PJaye]

Thus far, this is the method that has worked best for my fine, fragile, tangle-prone hair:

- After washing and DCing, I put my hair in a somewhat loose low ponytail at the nape of my neck. The low ponytail serves a dual purpose: (1) it allows me to easily reposition the ponytail/bun at any point above the nape at a later date, if I so choose; (2) it smoothes all of the detangled hair to its lowest point and keeps it in a detangled state, which prevents matting and dreading from forming.

- Once the ponytail is in place, I will: (A) carefully smooth the tail portion upwards towards the crown and secure it with a Goody Ouchless Flex Clip; or (B) divide it into halves and braid each section. I never braid my hair all the way to the ends because doing so always invites knots, tangles and breakage to occur. Two to three inches from the ends, I will stop braiding and secure the plait with a snap clip that is similar to these:

http://www.sallybeauty.com/snap-clips/SBS-438022,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair15-01.

Afterwards, I finger detangle and smooth the loose hair below the snap clip before securing both braids to my crown with a Goody clip.

- When the tail of the pony has fully dried, I will undo it and place it in a bun (or, flip the ends inward, tuck them in and re-secure it with the Goody clip).


For me, the key is to incorporate the least amount of post-wash manipulation possible while keeping my hair fairly tangle free. In order to avoid erosion, knots and breakage, the tail must be allowed to fully dry before attempting to bun. Once I place my hair in a bun, it will remain relatively undisturbed for several days, which is why it is important for me to use products that offer long-lasting moisture (daily combing, styling and M&S is out). After three or four days, I will undo the bun, spritz the hair with my water bottle and apply a creamy refresher (DB Transitioning Creme is my staple) before re-doing the entire flip N clip process.

 

[MileHighDiva]

Napp are you transitioning, relaxed, or natural? I've found during my transition that I have to keep my hair stretched to prevent breakage. The line of demarcation is no joke, and I think it's worse for us fine haired ladies when we try to style wet hair w/o stretching.

At least, that's my theory.

 

[Guinan]

I'm having the same problem. My hair gets knotted and matted too. However, when my hair is air-dried at least 90% I have less knots and matting. While my hair is air-drying, I have to constantly keep combing it so that it doesnt shrink and start to knot or mat.

Napp Have you tried the tension method? I haven't tried that yet, but probably will in the future.

 

[almond eyes]

As my hair got longer and I began to experience shedding after using accutane, the co-wash every few days and wet bun caused my problems.

I rectified that by braiding my hair up damp and co-washing weekly and since that time my hair is doing fine.

Best,
Almond Eyes

 

[janeemat]

Here is my bun regimen since I have been bunning for almost 2 months every single day:

After my normal wash/co-wash/deep cond
Add a little leave in while smoothing hair back still in the shower
Towel dry a little and then add more leave in
Smooth hair back mostly using fingers
Smooth a little with a boar bristle brush
Make a semi low pony tail
Pin up the pony to tie my scarf around my head to lay hair down
Remove the pony tail holder and let hair hang to dry
Once hair begin to dry, I smooth it with my fingers and a little oil, using a comb just a little
Once it is mostly dry I bun....right, left, middle...etc
I leave it for 2-3 days
But each day I apply moist/oil to my hair line and my pony tail
I also apply oil only using an applicator bottle to my scalp without combing out my bun.

I think keeping this bun oily has help me to avoid extra tangles and hair loss. If my hair is in a bun it does not matter about having body.

I hope all of this makes sense.

 

[Nightingale]

You are not alone! I knew my hair was not thriving with wet bunning, but was too stubborn to quit. When it was all said and done, I had very long see through hair that I had to cut off.

 

[Napp]

@Napp are you transitioning, relaxed, or natural? I've found during my transition that I have to keep my hair stretched to prevent breakage. The line of demarcation is no joke, and I think it's worse for us fine haired ladies when we try to style wet hair w/o stretching.

At least, that's my theory.

I am transitioning but this happened when i was natural too.(the matting was worse then) even so I still managed to have some length. My relaxed ends break so much easier now

I'm having the same problem. My hair gets knotted and matted too. However, when my hair is air-dried at least 90% I have less knots and matting. While my hair is air-drying, I have to constantly keep combing it so that it doesnt shrink and start to knot or mat.

@Napp Have you tried the tension method? I haven't tried that yet, but probably will in the future.

yes i have. I liked it as a natural but i prefer to use the brush attachment because the tension method leaves me with hidden tangles.

 

[girlonfire]

Thus far, this is the method that has worked best for my fine, fragile, tangle-prone hair:

- After washing and DCing, I put my hair in a somewhat loose low ponytail at the nape of my neck. The low ponytail serves a dual purpose: (1) it allows me to easily reposition the ponytail/bun at any point above the nape at a later date, if I so choose; (2) it smoothes all of the detangled hair to its lowest point and keeps it in a detangled state, which prevents matting and dreading from forming.

- Once the ponytail is in place, I will: (A) carefully smooth the tail portion upwards towards the crown and secure it with a Goody Ouchless Flex Clip; or (B) divide it into halves and braid each section. I never braid my hair all the way to the ends because doing so always invites knots, tangles and breakage to occur. Two to three inches from the ends, I will stop braiding and secure the plait with a snap clip that is similar to these:

http://www.sallybeauty.com/snap-clips/SBS-438022,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair15-01.

Afterwards, I finger detangle and smooth the loose hair below the snap clip before securing both braids to my crown with a Goody clip.

- When the tail of the pony has fully dried, I will undo it and place it in a bun (or, flip the ends inward, tuck them in and re-secure it with the Goody clip).

For me, the key is to incorporate the least amount of post-wash manipulation possible while keeping my hair fairly tangle free. In order to avoid erosion, knots and breakage, the tail must be allowed to fully dry before attempting to bun. Once I place my hair in a bun, it will remain relatively undisturbed for several days, which is why it is important for me to use products that offer long-lasting moisture (daily combing, styling and M&S is out). After three or four days, I will undo the bun, spritz the hair with my water bottle and apply a creamy refresher (DB Transitioning Creme is my staple) before re-doing the entire flip N clip process.

hmm this is kind of interesting I'm going to try this does DB stand for Darcy's botanicals? what exactly do you clip the ponytail to your crown again. is this supposed to cut down on manipulation somehow?

Also do you work out/exercise moderately, heavily or at all? I ask because i want to become more active.and have always let my hair stand in the way of that.