hair breakage at the nape of the neck

[krngi819]

Hi Everyone /images/graemlins/smile.gif,

I'm a new member but I have been reading the board for about six months and finally joined. I've had a problem with a patch of hair at the base of my neck that just will not grow /images/graemlins/frown.gif. In 2001 I had my hair cut up to where the breakage was so that it would grow out even. Well the rest of my hair grew out beautifully and is now brushing my shoulders. But because of the breakage in the back it makes my hair look thin and will not lay right. Has anyone else had this problem and what did you do. I have learned so much from reading this board. I know someone out there can help /images/graemlins/look.gif Thanks /images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[ngaa]

Hey krngi819
wen i used to wear my hair down a lot(or up 4 that matter) i noticed that esp. durin the cold months wen i'd wear a lot of sweaters and scalves, my hair seemed to break a lot more that usuall coz they'd b rubbin up against my clothin, if this is the reason, u cud try wearin yo hair up wit a humectant eg curl activator to make sure that it dont get dry and see how that goes...

ngaa /images/graemlins/drunk.gif

 

[AngieK]

<font color="brown">Breakage in that area could be caused by several things.

It could simply be a matter of friction in that area - - from collars, scarves or sweaters that are constantly rubbing that area. It could also be caused by rubber bands, clips, or scruchies that are worn to secure the hair back. Additionally, the breakage could be caused by a ponytial secured too tightly.

Another culprit could be dryness caused by sweat/salt buildup - - it is important to keep that area moisturized. If you exercise, be sure to at least rinse the sweat from your hair and keep it well conditioned.

A main cause of breakage in that area is the problem with relaxer application. Since the relaxer is often times applied first to the nape area, it could be that the relaxer is causing damage to already fragile hair, being that it stays on that area the longest. If you continue to do this, the hair in that area will never have a chance to recuperate because it enters a cycle of overprocessing, and continuous breakage.

To get that area to grow out in my daughters hair, I had to skip that area altogether for one relaxer cycle. Then, during the next application, I applied the relaxer to that area LAST - - so it did not stay on very long at all (just long enough to smooth the rest of the hair once). Since I usually relax her hair every 8 weeks, it gave that area a 16 week break, so to speak. That seemed to do the trick because now it has some length to it, and the breakage has stopped.

I am sure that there may be some other suggestions, but these are the main problems that I am aware of.

Hoping this helped,
AngieK /images/graemlins/cool.gif </font>

 

[Integrity]

another potential culprit is improper rinsing after relaxers if the hair is shampooed face up on the sink and the water cannot reach. also remember to deep condition that area very well under your hair, my nape has grown to level since i paid particular attention with deep condition

 

[Lindy]

I agree with what AngieK said about applying relaxer to that area last!! I used to have that same problem, then my stylist started relaxing my hair from the middle of my head, and doing the nape and hair edges last, and the problem disappeared in time!! /images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[sweetcocoa]

I agree with the improper rinsing. I read this on another site...When the hair is rinsed after a relaxer in the salons...alot of times they leave your nape touching the bowl where there may be residue from your relaxer(or the previous one). Make sure the bowl is rinsed off(they could run some nuetralizing shampoo around it and rinse..it only takes a sec.) after your relaxer is rinsed from your hair.

 

[krngi819]

Hi Everyone

Thank you sooo much for the respones /images/graemlins/drunk.gif I think your right about the relaxer staying too long in that area. I'm not due for another one for awhile. I will be changing the way I apply the relaxer and do the nape last.

Thank you all again /images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[henrilou]

Hello. I had the same problem about breakage at the neck. My hairdresser actually discovered it: My hair is thick and I didnt notice. She told me that it "wears out in that area" I don't go to her anymore. Anyway. I don't relax, but I do wrap my hair at night. and I use a "do-rag" I think the rubbing in that area caused it to break. So now I wrap more carefully. I also want to say that when you wrap your hair make sure your scarf is actually pulled on your FOREHEAD not at the hairline because it will cause breakage at your hair line and at the sides. Also the nape (for me) is the dryest and nappiest So I am always careful to lightly oil that and the ends of my hair everyday.

 

[notsomebody]

I agree with what these ladies said about rinsing, but its not just relaxers. Many times conditioners and shampoos are not rinsed thoroughly from that area. Its because in order to keep the hair going in one direction, hair is usually going backwards. If those things along with any styling products you use are not rinsed completely away, you get a build up that also causes the hair to dry out and break.

So, in addition to relaxing that area last, rinse it first. Then rinse your entire head, and then rinse it again to catch anything that may have come from the rinse of your head.

I had that problem I had rubbed out a good part of my kitchens from tying my scarf wrong, and I noticed that I was not rinsing it properly. I trimmed the area really well, and took extra care in conditioning it. I wash and rinse in the shower, so when I rinse the conditioner or shampoo (making sure to rinse that area twice as described above), I apply a cream rinse to my ends and kitchen and let it sit while I finish the rest of my shower, then I rinse thoroughly again.

To get the growth back, I used nioxin's follicle booster. The stuff works wonders. I also stopped sleeping on my back. Once I got a little length I went a little further to protect it and smooth out the texture (I also skip a relaxer cycle in that area - so sometimes it needs a little taming). I apply a cream leave in (profective has a great line of inexpensive products for this) and I roll it on a soft bendy hair rod. I don't know how to describe them but you can find them at sallys. I think they are used for spiralling the hair, but they work fine as regular rollers and are really good if you are roller impaired. And they are soft enough to sleep in.

 

[MSCHICHI]

Henrilou,

Do you mean tie it up at the front and not the back? I wasn't sure what you meant when you said this:

</font><blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr />
I also want to say that when you wrap your hair make sure your scarf is actually pulled on your FOREHEAD not at the hairline because it will cause breakage at your hair line and at the sides.

[/ QUOTE ]

 

[krngi819]

Hi Henrilou,

Thanks for your reply /images/graemlins/wink.gif I have only been wrapping my hair for about a year now. Prior to that I was sleeping in rollers. The breakage at the nape was so bad that I couldn't even roll it. I thinking maybe I will sleep in a bonnet so that there is no stress on that area.

 

[krngi819]

Hi Thanks for the response and listing a couple of products to try. I didn't use a lot of styling products and I wash my hair about every three days. I do this in the shower and I have a hand held attachtment that allows me to rise my hair really well.