HELP...I keep finding 3-4 inch broken off pieces of hair!

[zzirvingj]

It's not a "whole lot" of these "broken pieces" of hair, but enough to have me concerned. I never used to see 3-4 inch pieces of hair when I detangle, but now I am finding them during the detangling process, in my detangling brush, and I have even noticed a few of them coming out when bunning my hair in the morning

These are not shedded hairs--they don't have the little white "bulbs" on them, which leads me to believe my hair may be snapping off when I detangle it. Do I simply need to start with more frequent protein treatments? Because I used the Aphogee 2-minute reconstructor twice over the past two weeks and I still saw some of those little hairs in the shower.

Please help!

 

[JustKiya]

Could your hair have too MUCH protien, and thus is too brittle and is breaking? You're natural, too, aren't you? I'd try a good DC, and see if it keeps happening...

 

[LunadeMiel]

It's not a "whole lot" of these "broken pieces" of hair, but enough to have me concerned. I never used to see 3-4 inch pieces of hair when I detangle, but now I am finding them during the detangling process, in my detangling brush, and I have even noticed a few of them coming out when bunning my hair in the morning

These are not shedded hairs--they don't have the little white "bulbs" on them, which leads me to believe my hair may be snapping off when I detangle it. Do I simply need to start with more frequent protein treatments? Because I used the Aphogee 2-minute reconstructor twice over the past two weeks and I still saw some of those little hairs in the shower.

Please help!

Could you be overdoing the protein?

 

[zzirvingj]

I don't think so??

....the only reason I started using the Aphogee was when I actually started to see the broken off pieces of hair.

Here are the products I have been using:

-Burt's Bee's Avocado pre-poo treatment (for pre-pooing)

-Aveda Detoxifier (for clarifying)

-Miss Jessie's Rapid Recovery treatment (for deep conditioning....used this once a week for the past 4 weeks. this is a new product and was my first time using it)

-Lekair Cholesterol (for detangling)

-Aveda Brillant OR Bumble & Bumble Be Curly for medium to thick hair (for conditioning)

-Giovanni Direct (as a leave-in. also use it every other day, diluted, as a moisturizer)

 

[foxieroxienyc]

I JUST wrote about this in another thread!! lol

I think for me it was a matter of too much protein. When I started focusing on moisturizing I see a heck of a lot less of it. My hair is fine and relaxed in any case and so I know breakage will happen anyways but I try to do what I can to avoid unnecessary breakage. In looking at some of my products they had a lot of added protein in them, I switched things around that focus primarily on moisture and if there is any protein in it, it's in the form of SAA. I think you should try upping the moisture, that's what did it for me.

 

[JustKiya]

Hrmm.

What's in the Ms. Jessies? You've been using it for a month, and your hairs been breaking for the last week or two? If that's the only change you've made to your routine, I'd be giving the MJ a stankeye....

 

[SunnyDelight]

zzirving -
Your hair is beautiful girl. Like many of the women have said, I'd lay off the protein and hit the moisture hard - especially the ends. I'm transitioning and I ony see little broken hairs when my hair has been straightened for a few days.

Try more moisture and see if that helps.

 

[zzirvingj]

zzirving -
Your hair is beautiful girl. Like many of the women have said, I'd lay off the protein and hit the moisture hard - especially the ends. I'm transitioning and I ony see little broken hairs when my hair has been straightened for a few days.

Try more moisture and see if that helps.

Thanks!!

What really concerns me is the length of the hairs. Three and four inch pieces....those aren't tiny pieces of hair...it's like I my hair may be "snapping" off in places. Come to think of it, I noticed a little "snapping" the last 2 times I detangled it in the shower. I am beginning to wonder if my brush is the culprit??

I have a paddle brush similar to the one above that I use in the shower to detangle with. I heard a couple of hairs "snap off" the last 2 weeks during detangling...I wonder if my brush needs replacing?? It's over a year old, I'm sure...

 

[JustKiya]

*nod* Definitely - if there are any 'nicks' on the brush bristle, it could be 'chipping away' at your cuticles.....

 

[zzirvingj]

Hrmm.

What's in the Ms. Jessies? You've been using it for a month, and your hairs been breaking for the last week or two? If that's the only change you've made to your routine, I'd be giving the MJ a stankeye....

Good question!

Here are the ingredients in the Miss Jessies Rapid Recovery treatment:
-----------------------------------
An intense, deep moisturizing treatment loaded with natural products such as avocado cream oil and shea butter for people with dry, brittle curls. It brings back elasticity to your lovely locks!

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, cyclopentasiloxane, stearyl alcohol, behentrimonium chloride, behetrimonium methosulfate, laryl slcohol, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydgrogenated vegetable oil, hydroxyethylcellulose, ceteareth-20, fragrance, butylene glycol, dimethicone, dimethiconol, cyclohexasiloxane, disodum EDTA, citric acid, DMDM hydantoin, iodoproynl butylcarbmate, yellow 10, orange 4
--------------------------------------


Yes, I have been finding these pieces over like the last 2 weeks...but I'm not sure if they were there before and I just didn't notice them...? Not likely, though I think. This product was part of the "travel pack" I bought from them, so it was only a 2 ounce and I just used the last of it so I won't be using that again anytime soon cause I didn't plan on repurchasing it.

 

[JustKiya]

Good question!

Here are the ingredients in the Miss Jessies Rapid Recovery treatment:
-----------------------------------
An intense, deep moisturizing treatment loaded with natural products such as avocado cream oil and shea butter for people with dry, brittle curls. It brings back elasticity to your lovely locks!

Ingredients: Water, cetyl alcohol, cyclopentasiloxane, stearyl alcohol, behentrimonium chloride, behetrimonium methosulfate, laryl slcohol, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydgrogenated vegetable oil, hydroxyethylcellulose, ceteareth-20, fragrance, butylene glycol, dimethicone, dimethiconol, cyclohexasiloxane, disodum EDTA, citric acid, DMDM hydantoin, iodoproynl butylcarbmate, yellow 10, orange 4
--------------------------------------


Yes, I have been finding these pieces over like the last 2 weeks...but I'm not sure if they were there before and I just didn't notice them...? Not likely, though I think. This product was part of the "travel pack" I bought from them, so it was only a 2 ounce and I just used the last of it so I won't be using that again anytime soon cause I didn't plan on repurchasing it.

Bwah, that's a lotta chemicals!! Okay - I see three cones, and the wheat protien - I could never understand using cones in DC's, because they SEAL the hair - doesn't that rather defeat the purpose of a DEEP conditioner?

Anyhow! Did your previous DC have the cones & the wheat protien (which is a lighter protien, I think) in it? If it did (those seem like, to me, the only probative ingredients, but I don't know what half of that other stuff is, sooo ) then maybe the MJ's wasn't it.... if it DIDN'T though - yeah, I think that might have been it.....

I'd still get a new brush, to be on the safe side.

 

[Ms Lala]

Those kinds of brushes yank on my hair and break it. Especially when it's damp. If your hair has been pressed really straight then it might be okay to use the brush.

 

[Fine 4s]

Thanks!!

What really concerns me is the length of the hairs. Three and four inch pieces....those aren't tiny pieces of hair...it's like I my hair may be "snapping" off in places. Come to think of it, I noticed a little "snapping" the last 2 times I detangled it in the shower. I am beginning to wonder if my brush is the culprit??

I have a paddle brush similar to the one above that I use in the shower to detangle with. I heard a couple of hairs "snap off" the last 2 weeks during detangling...I wonder if my brush needs replacing?? It's over a year old, I'm sure...

Aw hell nah, I hate those darm hair torture devices.
Another reason could simply be a split end way up the shaft of the hair. Giovanni could leave your hair a little brittle too I've found.
I'm voting against this brush though.

 

[onyxcabelo]

Have you tried clarifying? Sometimes when I start to notice those shorter hairs, I clarify and then it's moisturizing conditioners all the way. If you do have any build up from the products you're using, it may be blocking out moisture, so clarifying may help with that.

 

[Isis]

I don't think so??

....the only reason I started using the Aphogee was when I actually started to see the broken off pieces of hair.

Here are the products I have been using:

-Burt's Bee's Avocado pre-poo treatment (for pre-pooing)

-Aveda Detoxifier (for clarifying)

-Miss Jessie's Rapid Recovery treatment (for deep conditioning....used this once a week for the past 4 weeks. this is a new product and was my first time using it)

-Lekair Cholesterol (for detangling)

-Aveda Brillant OR Bumble & Bumble Be Curly for medium to thick hair (for conditioning)

-Giovanni Direct (as a leave-in. also use it every other day, diluted, as a moisturizer)

Many of the ladies here mentioned breakage from the protein in Giovanni Direct, how long have you used this? It looks like you use it very often too. Since my hair is protein sensitive, I haven't used mine as a moisturizer.

Also, since Miss Jessie's Rapid Recovery treatment is new for you, it could be the culprit. It may not be compatible with the products you are using, including Giovanni Direct. Products are not always compatible with one another.

 

[Chicoro]

Hi!

One other thing that may be happening is that you have reached your "break point". This is the point of growth in which our hair starts to break. Many people refer to this as the "hump" that they can't seem to get over to get to that newer longer length.

This is not necessarily a negative situation.

The "break point" could be an indicator that perhaps the needs of your hair, at this newer length, have changed!

This means that what you were doing for your hair previously, even what you used to successfully get you to this new length, may no longer be enough or the right things to get you to your next length.

The challenging part is trying to figure out what will get you there. It is almost as if you have to do a new iteration of trial and error of products to figure out what your hair needs for the newer lengths.

The good thing is that you have a process in place already. It may be a matter of modifying the products you are currently using, or how you are using them, or when you are using them, as suggested by the ladies to you in the post.

I think your hair is at a crossroads and you are about to hit even longer lengths. Just don't panic.

 

[miami74]

It's not a "whole lot" of these "broken pieces" of hair, but enough to have me concerned. I never used to see 3-4 inch pieces of hair when I detangle, but now I am finding them during the detangling process, in my detangling brush, and I have even noticed a few of them coming out when bunning my hair in the morning

These are not shedded hairs--they don't have the little white "bulbs" on them, which leads me to believe my hair may be snapping off when I detangle it. Do I simply need to start with more frequent protein treatments? Because I used the Aphogee 2-minute reconstructor twice over the past two weeks and I still saw some of those little hairs in the shower.

Please help!

How has your hair been doing now? Still seeing any breakage? If not, how did u change up your regimen?

 

[fluffylocks]

Hi!

One other thing that may be happening is that you have reached your "break point". This is the point of growth in which our hair starts to break. Many people refer to this as the "hump" that they can't seem to get over to get to that newer longer length.

This is not necessarily a negative situation.

The "break point" could be an indicator that perhaps the needs of your hair, at this newer length, have changed!

This means that what you were doing for your hair previously, even what you used to successfully get you to this new length, may no longer be enough or the right things to get you to your next length.

The challenging part is trying to figure out what will get you there. It is almost as if you have to do a new iteration of trial and error of products to figure out what your hair needs for the newer lengths.

The good thing is that you have a process in place already. It may be a matter of modifying the products you are currently using, or how you are using them, or when you are using them, as suggested by the ladies to you in the post.

I think your hair is at a crossroads and you are about to hit even longer lengths. Just don't panic.

Yes thats what i was thinking but didnt know how to word it.

I experienced the same thing around shoulderlength. Its like your hair all of a sudden starts trimming itself for you and its realy hard to get past that point and breakage is really easy.
I dont know why, but i also had to start doing more moisture treatments, harder protein treatments, and being more gentle/stop manipulating so much.


So anyway, i agree with everyone else with easing up on the brush, and doing more moisture.

 

[Dearlove]

Hi!

One other thing that may be happening is that you have reached your "break point". This is the point of growth in which our hair starts to break. Many people refer to this as the "hump" that they can't seem to get over to get to that newer longer length.

This is not necessarily a negative situation.

The "break point" could be an indicator that perhaps the needs of your hair, at this newer length, have changed!

This means that what you were doing for your hair previously, even what you used to successfully get you to this new length, may no longer be enough or the right things to get you to your next length.

The challenging part is trying to figure out what will get you there. It is almost as if you have to do a new iteration of trial and error of products to figure out what your hair needs for the newer lengths.

The good thing is that you have a process in place already. It may be a matter of modifying the products you are currently using, or how you are using them, or when you are using them, as suggested by the ladies to you in the post.

I think your hair is at a crossroads and you are about to hit even longer lengths. Just don't panic.

This is the most insightful observation I've heard regarding getting over a length hump...we can get to the next length by listening to our hair. I will keep this in mind going foreward.

 

[Luxurious12]

HA!!! There's your culprit. I did not have to read after the third ingredient. GIRLLLL it's the rapid recovery treatment and let me tell you why.

1. Water was the first ingredient, which is a big NONO. If water is first, then that means it will cause your hair to not absorb the moisture your hair needs. So your hair is not retaining the moisture you put in it.
2. Alcohol was the third ingredient, which is another NONO. Especially with water being the first ingredient, not only is your hair not absorbing moisture, but something else is trying to speed up drying your hair out. If your putting oil in your hair at all it may be harder to tell if this is happening due to the shine effect.

I would stop using Miss Jessie's. It wouldn't be the first time I heard her products dry people's hair out either. My best friend who is natural and has BSL hair has been using this stuff called "Kinky-Curly" which she loves. She has always said it keeps her hair moisturized too.

 

[zzirvingj]

Many of the ladies here mentioned breakage from the protein in Giovanni Direct, how long have you used this? It looks like you use it very often too. Since my hair is protein sensitive, I haven't used mine as a moisturizer.

Also, since Miss Jessie's Rapid Recovery treatment is new for you, it could be the culprit. It may not be compatible with the products you are using, including Giovanni Direct. Products are not always compatible with one another.

I just realized that I missed some of the posts in this thread

I've been using the Giovanni Direct for almost a year now...I also stopped using the Miss Jessie's for now...

 

[zzirvingj]

Aw hell nah, I hate those darm hair torture devices.
Another reason could simply be a split end way up the shaft of the hair. Giovanni could leave your hair a little brittle too I've found.
I'm voting against this brush though.

What kind of brush would ya'll suggest replacing this one with? I only use this type of brush after I've done an "initial detangle" with my wide-toothed comb...that way, the brush usually glides easily through.

 

[ShiShiPooPoo]

I had a paddle brush with the pins...darn thing was ripping my hair out and I just kept using it and using it...I finally threw it away.

 

[zzirvingj]

Re: HELP...I keep finding 3-4 inch broken off pieces of hair!--UPDATE

UPDATE 3/10/08:

Thanks ladies for all of your helpful input and pm's. I stopped using the Miss Jessie's immediately after posting this thread. I backed off the protein treatments for the time and focused on moisture.

You all have made some very good points! Let me tell you what I did on yesterday...

After detangling my hair, I took the hair that had shedded out of my paddle brush and "examined it" lol. I had alot of hair from the brush, as I waited 2 weeks to detangle this time (instead of my usual 1 week--won't do that again anytime soon!)

Anyways, here is what I observed:

1. Most of the hairs that came out of the brush were healthy hairs (no splits or knots)

2. I found like 7-8 "broken off" hairs from inside the paddle brush. About half of them had the little "white bulb"...which made me wonder...are some of the short hairs I've been seeing SHED hairs? Is that possible?

3. I took some of the knotted and split hairs and lightly pulled on them to see what would happen. None of the hairs with knots on the end did anything (none of them broke or split). However, the 3 or 4 split hairs I pulled on were so VERY weak...they split immediately upon me barely pulling on them at all, leaving broken off hairs that were around 2-3 inches (just like the ones I've been finding all over the place).

***What trips me out is that a couple of weeks ago, I JUST did a dusting and it took me HALF A WHOLE FRIGGIN DAY to do it because I FEEL as though I went through almost every hair on my head, cutting off splits and knots (and the knots have returned so I'm not so sure if cutting off knots when dusting is even worth the time and effort)

Sooo, after doing this, here are my thoughts now:

I am glad to see that "most" of my hair is healthy, and I've decided to not even worry about the knotted hairs for now. As for the split hairs...can someone tell me is it possible that some of the hairs shed at such short lengths (like I mentioned in point 2 above)? And lastly, for the split hairs that didn't have little white bulbs, I really think those are hairs that literally did break off. I'm disappointed that I'm still seeing them right now because since I did the recent dusting, I feel there shouldn't really be any of them. To help with those, I've decided I'll dust again (just the split hairs) next time I get my press (which will be next month in April). I'm also open to suggestions about trading out my paddle brush.

Chicoro-everything you said about hair entering a new stage makes sooo much sense and yet it's scary at the same time cuz I have no idea what I need to change up erplexed I think I am going to go back to doing a few once-a-week protein treatments with my Aphogee 2-minute reconstructor, though. Judging by how my hair feels (the lack of elasticity in it), I think it's fine in the moisture department, but could use some more strength

So. That's where I stand right now with this whole breakage thang...I hope within the next couple of months I can say that I see less broken off hair, and more length!

 

[apemay1969]

Hi!

One other thing that may be happening is that you have reached your "break point". This is the point of growth in which our hair starts to break. Many people refer to this as the "hump" that they can't seem to get over to get to that newer longer length.

This is not necessarily a negative situation.

The "break point" could be an indicator that perhaps the needs of your hair, at this newer length, have changed!

This means that what you were doing for your hair previously, even what you used to successfully get you to this new length, may no longer be enough or the right things to get you to your next length.

The challenging part is trying to figure out what will get you there. It is almost as if you have to do a new iteration of trial and error of products to figure out what your hair needs for the newer lengths.

The good thing is that you have a process in place already. It may be a matter of modifying the products you are currently using, or how you are using them, or when you are using them, as suggested by the ladies to you in the post.

I think your hair is at a crossroads and you are about to hit even longer lengths. Just don't panic.

This is completely new information for me. Wow. How can I get more insight into this.

 

[zzirvingj]

Hi!

One other thing that may be happening is that you have reached your "break point". This is the point of growth in which our hair starts to break. Many people refer to this as the "hump" that they can't seem to get over to get to that newer longer length.

This is not necessarily a negative situation.

The "break point" could be an indicator that perhaps the needs of your hair, at this newer length, have changed!

This means that what you were doing for your hair previously, even what you used to successfully get you to this new length, may no longer be enough or the right things to get you to your next length.

The challenging part is trying to figure out what will get you there. It is almost as if you have to do a new iteration of trial and error of products to figure out what your hair needs for the newer lengths.

The good thing is that you have a process in place already. It may be a matter of modifying the products you are currently using, or how you are using them, or when you are using them, as suggested by the ladies to you in the post.

I think your hair is at a crossroads and you are about to hit even longer lengths. Just don't panic.

Chicoro-did you reach a breaking point(s) with your hair? What did you do about it?

 

[laurend]

I think you should not straighten your hair for a minute. IMO your last incident with your hairdresser put much stress on your hair. When I read your last thread I was hoping that you wouldn't get too much breakage because the same thing happened to me a few years ago.

 

[CHECKMATE!]

Thanks!!

What really concerns me is the length of the hairs. Three and four inch pieces....those aren't tiny pieces of hair...it's like I my hair may be "snapping" off in places. Come to think of it, I noticed a little "snapping" the last 2 times I detangled it in the shower. I am beginning to wonder if my brush is the culprit??

I have a paddle brush similar to the one above that I use in the shower to detangle with. I heard a couple of hairs "snap off" the last 2 weeks during detangling...I wonder if my brush needs replacing?? It's over a year old, I'm sure...

yep,I think you just pinpointed your problem...i had one of these,tore my hair to pieces 2yrs ago (of course,before i joined LHCF)...btw,your hair is beautiful

 

[zzirvingj]

bump..............

 

[JustKiya]

How are things going? I read your update, but I must have gotten distracted because I didn't respond.... I realllllly think that those 'weak' hairs might be a result of stress from your brush - which would explain why they frayed so easily, if they were alreay sliced & diced by the brush. Checking out this thread for real has me almost ready to drop almost 100 bucks on new styling tools. *sigh*

And I think - are the short hairs REALLLLY fine? I've seen shed hairs (though my hair is no where NEAR as long as yours) that are about 1/2 to 1/4 inch - SUPER fine - but with the bulb on the end. On my optimistic days, I figure that my folli is about to produce a much stronger, better, hair, and that's why the shed of a short one. On my miserable days, I think that I've just broken it off that short before it shed/or it's shedding from my hairline because I have early balding (which I SO don't! )