Natural Hair Ends Thinning?

[BronzyBella]

I think that at one point when my hair was relaxed my ends would look a little thin as my hair grew longer but then eventually the rest of my hair would catch up.

I don't know what's going on here though. When I twist my hair especially, you can see that the last couple of inches of my hair is thinner than the rest. They're not dry or snappinig off though. I dust my ends about once a month while it's in twists.

Natural ladies, do you think I should:

1.) See if this disappears as my hair grows
2.) Deep condition/repair my hair like crazy
3.) Cut off a couple inches all over

BTW, I've been rocking small braid extensions a lot of the past year and am paranoid about what using a sharp rat tail comb to remove them could do.

 

[Highly Favored8]

Bumping for you.

 

[StarScream35]

Before I go any further, my question is, what type of comb or brush are you using to detangle or comb your hair? When I first looked at your picture, it reminded me of what a Denman brush does to my hair. My hair and Denmans don't get along! Otherwise, I don't have this problem with my natural hair at all. I actually trim my own natural hair about every 3 months so maybe a good trim would help you and certainly a good protein treatment would not hurt. My hair is protein insensitive so I could use it everyday if I wanted to. I also wash my hair every other day and alternate between protein and moisturizing conditioners. Sorry this is happening to you!

 

[SEMO]

My hair is much thinner at the ends too. Some of it is natural (hair sheds and as the strand is replaced it's shorter than the other hair).

Do you have excessive shedding? If so, it could mean you have a lot of hairs in different stages of regrowth (which would mean you have fewer hairs at the longest lengths).

 

[BronzyBella]

Brighteyes35 I detangle my hair with a wide toothed/shower comb, but will sometimes go through small sections of my hair with a small toothed comb before I double strand twist. I do it because I find that sometimes wide toothed combs miss tangles.

I have a Denman as well (D3 with 3 rows removed). Because the teeth are long, firm, and sharp, I've never used it in my own hair. I said "F it", and used a Tangle Teezer one time though when I was taking out my very first set of micros as a natural (last year).

I'm not opposed to/scared of cutting off a couple of inches of hair if it's necessary. What scares me though is cutting it off and then having the same thing happen again because I have not found the root of the problem.

BTW. I wish I knew more about my natural hair. I don't whether my hair favours protein, whether it's truly porous/non-porous, what common ingredients it loves/hates, etc.

 

[BronzyBella]

My hair is much thinner at the ends too. Some of it is natural (hair sheds and as the strand is replaced it's shorter than the other hair).

Do you have excessive shedding? If so, it could mean you have a lot of hairs in different stages of regrowth (which would mean you have fewer hairs at the longest lengths).

I don't really have excessive shedding. I almost never wear my hair in it's fro state or even in braid-outs/twist-outs... so it will usually be double-strand twisted for a couple weeks at a time and then when it's time to take the twists out/shampoo/detangle, hair comes out but not as much as when I was relaxed... Maybe a quarter of a handful comes out in the shower, and then another quarter of a handful comes out when I'm restyling.

I don't seal my ends because I don't like when my hair feels coated and because spritzing every day or so w/ diluted conditioner or a Oyin Handmade juice leaves it feeling soft/okay. Could not sealing be the culprit?

 

[StarScream35]

@Brighteyes35 I detangle my hair with a wide toothed/shower comb, but will sometimes go through small sections of my hair with a small toothed comb before I double strand twist. I do it because I find that sometimes wide toothed combs miss tangles.

I have a Denman as well (D3 with 3 rows removed). Because the teeth are long, firm, and sharp, I've never used it in my own hair. I said "F it", and used a Tangle Teezer one time though when I was taking out my very first set of micros as a natural (last year).

I'm not opposed to/scared of cutting off a couple of inches of hair if it's necessary. What scares me though is cutting it off and then having the same thing happen again because I have not found the root of the problem.

BTW. I wish I knew more about my natural hair. I don't whether my hair favours protein, whether it's truly porous/non-porous, what common ingredients it loves/hates, etc.

I actually ordered a hair analysis from http://livecurlylivefree.com/hair analysis.htm. It was the best thing I ever did. It told me about my hair's porosity and elasticity. At the time I did it, I still had a lot of relaxed hair mixed in with natural and I remember the report telling me my relaxed hair was damaged due to either the heat or chemicals. I know how you feel about cutting off a few inches. It's always better to find the root of the problem and then proceed.

You did mention you braid your hair, maybe a break from braids is needed? And rat tail combs.................I stay as far away from those things as possible.........LOL!

How did the Tangle Teezer work for you? Some people like it better than the Denman and vice versa. It's amazing how everyones hair is so different.

 

[BronzyBella]

Brighteyes35 Thanks so much for the link! I've bookmarked it so that maybe I could order mine later in the week.

I think I need a break from braids too. At the same time though, everyone's rockin' these super long braids (Solange style, Brandy style, even Poetic Justice style) and it gives me the itch!... Everyone's also rockin' those long Senegalese twists (which may tangle in my hair if I attempt to do them on my own).

As far as the Tangle Teezer and the Denman go, I think the Tangle Teezer gets out tangles quicker. I've used it the odd time in my daughter's hair. She doesn't mind it or complain of pain, but it makes this awful ripping sound. I don't use it regularly because, like the Denman, the teeth look sharp.

I sometimes use the Denman to stretch her hair as I blow it out. I feel better using it on her than on myself because I can see/control the angle of the teeth.

Since the Tangle Teezer detangles faster (for me) and is less heavy than the Denman brush, I would choose it over the Denman... IF I had to choose. LOL.

 

[LynnieB]

OP, those ends look a little spider webby. This is one of the signs I look for when twisting - if the ends begin to look webby, I'll snip off where that begins - usually no more than 1/4 inch (a dusting) or so but in your case, it looks like you may need to go about 1-1.5 inches higher. I think you should, while in your twists, snip off at the point where the hair begins to get really thin. When you go to retwist your hair again, do an assessment. If the ends still seem webby, snip off another 1/2 inch.

Do you dust regularly?

As the weeks/months go by, pay really close attention to the ends, add extra product and keep them oiled. I'd also lose that rattail comb and use fingers to smooth down the hair before twisting and only use a larger tooth comb to detangle. Only resort to a smaller toothed comb when you run into a snag or tangle.

It's hard to tell but from the 2 twists I see, this looks like the hair has been snapping off prematurely - perhaps those ends are weak? Are the rest of your twists doing the same thing? If your hair has a curl pattern, does the hair curl up if in larger twists?

Ok - found some pics of twists I did this summer. You can see there are a few bottoms of twists that look kindof spider webby. After doing this set, I snipped (dusted) where the spider web starts.

I consider the ones that don't look like the others to be spider webs and they got snipped.

More spider webs were snipped there also.

 

[SimJam]

Hay there BronzyBella , sorry to hear that ur having ends issues.
I totally agree with Brighteyes35 !!!

1. re evaluate the tools being used that may be causing mechanical damage to your ends.

I personally have no issues with the tangle teezer Ive been using for about 2 years with no issues (I use it at least 3 times a month when detangling)

2. try incorporating light protein into your regimen. you mentioned that your hair is not dry and snapping off (which is good) but that does not necessarily translate to being strong !

For years I thought my hair was protein sensitive (not sure why i thought that) but since last year Ive been doing light protein DCs at least 3 times a month and Ive seen improved retention. I use Aphogee 2 minute (not the 2 step), She scents it okra hair repair/fortifying hair masque and curl junkie repair me.

3. Unless you have split ends and or single strand knots I dont see any reason for you to be dusting every month (just my opinion) However if you are dusting every month and still having thin ends Im thinking something isnt right.

is this all over your head or just in some places?
If you have tried everything and still have thin ends, maybe you have lead hairs, some people believe in that theory (there is a thread on it)

4. If you dont already, maybe you can start using a sulphate free shampoo, every bit of moisture saved helps

 

[Vintagecoilylocks]

Brighteyes35 I detangle my hair with a wide toothed/shower comb, but will sometimes go through small sections of my hair with a small toothed comb before I double strand twist. I do it because I find that sometimes wide toothed combs miss tangles.

I have a Denman as well (D3 with 3 rows removed). Because the teeth are long, firm, and sharp, I've never used it in my own hair. I said "F it", and used a Tangle Teezer one time though when I was taking out my very first set of micros as a natural (last year).

I'm not opposed to/scared of cutting off a couple of inches of hair if it's necessary. What scares me though is cutting it off and then having the same thing happen again because I have not found the root of the problem.

BTW. I wish I knew more about my natural hair. I don't whether my hair favours protein, whether it's truly porous/non-porous, what common ingredients it loves/hates, etc.

I think yoou need to first understand why you are cutting off perfectly healthy ends. Natural hair does not grow in a straight line at the same rate. Even if you big chop its like the olympic races. They may appear to start evenly but each hair is at a different stage in its life cycle and is growing at different rates. In addition your head shape will create different levels of length. Be gental with the ends. Use conditioner and emoillient and fingers to unbraid. Your hair does not understand cutting nor will it adhere to a straight line just because you cut. Also when you cut the natural shedding process is still in effect and hair you cut may be ready to shed and thus leave a thinner hair line. Let it grow and be gental and protect the ends. Eat healthy to nourish from the inside. The older the hair the more delicate. You must adjust to what is natural.

 

[**SaSSy**]

Try bagging your ends only at night

 

[SEMO]

BronzyBella

I agree with LynnieB's advice about sealing your ends and dusting.

Off topic: I'm experiencing serious hair envy looking at those gorgeous twists LynnieB.

 

[BronzyBella]

@LynnieB Your hair is gorgeous! I dust my ends while my hair is in twists (every 4 to six weeks) but cut off very little. The ends usually coil around but in the above pic, my hair hasn't been prepped for twists or twisted all over. I just decided to dry twist some of my hairline so that it can stay stretched while I retighten my braid extensions. "Spider webs" is a good term to describe what they look like. I'm going to start using that term from now on . The spider web thing occurs mostly around the front and crown area of my hair

@SimJam Secretly, the reason I dust every month or so is because after I do my double-strand twists, I snip of the very ends to make the entire look neater. LOL. I have the Apoghee 2-minute re-constructor. It smells great! I may have to start using it on a regular basis as opposed to once in a blue moon.

Off to look up "lead hairs"


All in all, I'm getting the impression that I need to adhere to an actual regimen as well as be gentler with my hair/the tools I use, and pamper the ends w/ extra moisture and/or a sealant

I just finished rebraiding my hairline this morning and will finally take my braid extensions out this weekend. I'm thinking: protein treatment (followed up with moisturizing conditioner, double-strand twists, and then a trim of about an inch (more hair later on if it still looks "bad")


Thanks for the input, ladies ❤

 

[BronzyBella]

BTW, I just checked out the thread re: lead hairs http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=498690 and now it has me thinking about only chopping off half an inch. LOL... We'll see.

 

[LynnieB]

BTW, I just checked out the thread re: lead hairs http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=498690 and now it has me thinking about only chopping off half an inch. LOL... We'll see.

Thanks for the compliment Bronzy!!

I'm a lead hair believer too - have been so for a very, very long time.

I think once you make a few regimen adjustments, you'll see a huge improvement and you won't lose your progress in the process of growing your hair out.

Since you're only noticing it in certain places, perhaps just take those sections and even them out a little if aesthetics is a problem or you want a more pleasing appearance in those sections? That little bit will not be that noticeable.

What you'll want to do is always think about the long haul with whatever you do to your hair. You can head off potential problems early and still continue using Chicoro's (lead hair gal) methods.

I snip whenever I notice webbiness, those particular ends seem to be the cause of tangling at the ends or some other mischief. Those hairs also seem to want to velcro other hair around them for whatever reason so to save myself the angst of detangling a hair ball or worse, cutting one out, I just go ahead and get rid of them. The longer your hair gets, the more chaos spider web ends seem to cause.

It's just something I noticed in my case, we all have to know our hair enough to notice certain things aren't really normal or our predecessors of problems.

Lots of great suggestions going on in this thread!! You have lots to choose from!!!

HHG

 

[Carrie A]

Well I have thinning of the ends, but mine is due primarily to breakage. I believe the breakage occurred during my detangling sessions because I have strands throughout the hair at shoulder length, ear length, and above. Brushing the hairline and ponytail holders are other culprits. I would go through your hair and inspect for broken off hair- especially if you use the tangle teaser. Some ladies swear by it but others experienced damage after extended use.


I plan to gradually trim while the hair fills in.