HELP! Breakage is eating my hair!

[Momstar]

I've needed to post this for a while. So here goes. Part of the reason I went natural was because I had this huge broken off spot that began the lower mid-section on the left side of my head. So I cut my hair off and grew it natural. Here I am 3 years later with longer (and I thought healthier hair) and the return of the broken off spot that is slowly progressing across my head. Usually I don't do anything besides wash it and I barely comb it, which is a shame with my 4a self

.
Anyway for the past month I have been pressing it but not even that often. It was every two weeks, I had my friend do it. One thing I noticed with natural hair is that people are A LOT rougher with it. I hate combing my natural hair and I don't like other people pressing it anymore. I wash and condition once a week with an occasional conditioner wash in between. I have been slacking on the deep conditioning although I did do a hot oil treatment and an aphogee treatment. I've deep conditioned three times this year. I need help. I need to figure what to do with my hair that looks presentable without having breakage from doing it regularly. I would appreciate any of your suggestions.
Seriously I just want to cry when I touch it.

I am so tempted to just go to a stylist every month and let her do it,but when I went to a stylist before I still had the same broken off spot.

 

[Edie]

You need to deep condition at least once a month. Don't wait for your hair to have problems to deep condition. Have you heard of Bed Head Chocolate Head Intensive Hair Treatment. It is really good. I was having some problems with shedding and I used that two weeks in a row, once a week and it has stopped. The bottle is small and you will probably squawk at the price $17.00, but you don't have to use a lot. You can get 4-5 uses out of the bottle easily. You first shampoo and then put a moisturizing conditioner on your hair. After rinsing, you then use the chocolate head (it is a thick serum, like syrup). Just squirt some all over your head (don't overdue) it goes a long way. Then cover your head with a plastic bag and a heated towel. Leave on for 30 minutes. The bottle says 3 minutes, but I did 30 (it won't hurt your hair). Once you rinse it out use a leave-in conditioner or a little of the conditioner you used to moisturize with. What your hair needs now is moisture and strength. You can also try mixing a little honey and olive oil in with your conditoner (this works great for extra moisture and shine).

 

[DigitalRain]

I think you should see a dermatologist. Its not normal for natural hair to break off like that. There may be something going on internally that may be weakening your hair and causing the breakage. I hope you are able to resolve your problem.

 

[CurlyCrly]

I agree with DigitalRain, something sounds like it may be wrong there. You're not doing anything excessive or overmanipulating it. You should comb it though, if only to remove tangles, but only do it when it's wet.

Those people pressing your hair could be ripping it out and shredding the hair as well. They need to be more gentle. Also, make sure they're not burning it.

Are you wearing a particular hairstyle that is putting stress on the broken spot(s)?

 

[Chimma]

Pressing every two weeks is pretty frequently! Especially if you do it with a hot comb, especially if the person doing it is rough!

I recommend deep conditioning with a deep conditioner and an oil like olive oil every time you wash your hair. If you condition your hair properly (use only deep conditioners and leave ins that actually work) and use the right combs, it should be easy to comb.

I'm a 4a/4b w/ over a year's growth of natural hair, and I comb frequently and easily - probably every other day. My hair is half braided and half left loose, so I'm only combing the loose part, but that is most of my hair anyways.

 

[Lee]

You need to find a good reconstructor. One that is gentle enough to do every week which requires a heating cap. The one I use is called ION from Sallys. I love this. Once a week do a overnight mini hot oil treatment which consists of. Oiling your scalp and the length of your hair and go to bed with your hair covered with a plastic cap and silk scraf. Don't forget to massage your scalp. All of these things contributed to getting my hair back healthy. Good luck!!

 

[Momstar]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to deep condition and do the mini hot oil treatment. Then I am going to get braids and just leave it alone for a while. I don't have any type of chemicals on my hair so it takes alot of patience and time to comb.
DigitalRain, I was wondering about that too because it is the same spot that is breaking off when I had a relaxer and it shows up again 3 years later.Hopefully it's just me,but I am not doing that much to it and I wasn't then. I'll have to wait until I have health insurance before I can see a dermatologist.