Need some hair troubleshooting help... pics inside

[beana]

Need some hair troubleshooting help... pics inside (breakage in the mid nape area)

I have been on my hair journey for years and ONE problem always plagues me... my hair grows into this weak spot in the middle. See pic below...


I have trimmed my hair SEVERAL times and evened it up and it keeps growing back that way. i'm at my wits end, this makes me feel like i cant have healthy blunt ends past shoulder length. In this pic taken 1 month ago, my hair looked like it was growing out fine.. but it ended up looking like it does in the pic above



Any ideas on what could be going wrong?
I have a VERY different texture in the nape area, these two shots arent the best but they show how loose the curl is back there... sometime si think the hair is too weak to grow in back there... im very confused and would appreciate any suggestions. TIA

 

[HERicane10]

Do you wear styles that require you to twist your hair up often? I found that wearing my bun, french twist, or ponytail created the same "gap" in the middle because I rarely changed the positions, even though I never pulled them tightly. Since I started varying my twist direction, my problem is gone!

 

[LoveLiLi]

How do you wear your hair on a daily basis?

My hair has looked like this before and it is starting to look like that now. In the past it was because I would wear my hair in a bun and I would place the elastic band in the same place everyday. Of course, my hair broke off badly and I had to give it time to grow back in.

It looks like that now because I'm transitioning and I'm experiencing a-lot of breakage due to the different textures.

If you're not using scrunchies/hair clips can you think of anything else that may be putting stress on certain sections of your hair? Wrapping it too tightly can also affect your hair.

 

[beana]

Thanks Ladies!!! ... i wrote a post about ponytails stressing out that area a few weeks ago. Maybe it truly is just that, im stressing out one area of my hair/scalp too much.

 

[HERicane10]

Thanks Ladies!!! ... i wrote a post about ponytails stressing out that area a few weeks ago. Maybe it truly is just that, im stressing out one area of my hair/scalp too much.

If all other aspect of your hair are healthy, then I would definitely venture to say its a style-induced problem. I don't use ponytail holders often either. Just the continual twisting of my hair created my "gap". I suggest a really good moisturizer and alternating placement of protective styles. You should see marked results from this.

 

[Mom23]

I have a weak spot in the back that was caused by my scarf knot. Do you tie a scarf back there too tight? I noticed it early and I'm working on growing it out. I just trimmed so it could catch up.

 

[january noir]

This is all very good advice. My hair grows unevenly and one side is WAY longer than the other. I always wear my hair pulled back. After reading the posts here, I think I have discovered my problem. Hopefully I can turn this challenge around. Thanks Ladies!

 

[amina kamal]

I have a weak spot in the back that was caused by my scarf knot. Do you tie a scarf back there too tight? I noticed it early and I'm working on growing it out. I just trimmed so it could catch up.

Ditto. I have the same problem in the middle of my nape. I got this breakage as a result putting my sopping wet hair into a ponytail and tying a tight scarf on it. Over a period of one year I noticed breakage and thinning back there. Now, I don't really do pony tails at all.

 

[beana]

Thanks for all the great advice here ladies!!!! How do you all style your hair??? The only thing i can think of is to gather my hair like i do for a ponytail and pin it up, other than that i think i'll be wearing my hair out more often to let it breathe

 

[sherann]

Just wanted to add, I have a similar problem and it seems the hair in that area is super fine so you should relax it last and use minimal heat. For me, I exacerbate the problem because it it difficult to reach the middle to detangle without damage once the area starts to grow out. I hope this helps.

 

[Ivonnovi]

" Any ideas on what could be going wrong?
I have a VERY different texture in the nape area, these two shots arent the best but they show how loose the curl is back there... sometime si think the hair is too weak to grow in back there... im very confused and would appreciate any suggestions. "
​

I've encountered similar breakage due to wearring pontails and the darn erplexed devices used to secure them. I'm proud to say that I've elimated the breakage by using the top 2" of kneehighs to secure the ponytails in place. Also on the occasions that I use the "pressure"clips barrettes I buy only the type that has the metal part is wrapped in plastic. AND I still used the nylon knee-high top. Unfortunatley I have to wear ponytails for work. I hope this tip helps at least prevent the breakage

 

[ItsyBitsy]

When I began my hair journey I'd always notice a thin spot in the back about the same place as yours. I finally figured my carseat was the culprit ( I don't have leather seats) the constant rubbing and snagging can cause major damage. Just think about how much you move & rotate you head while driving I would find my hairs stuck in the cloth.
Now I pull my hair to one side over my shoulder or clip it up.

 

[joyous]

I had the same problem and had to stop using ponytail holders, and sock buns even though I covered them with silk. Just the daily stress, as Hericane stated can cause breakage and cause that spot to thin out.

 

[Misseyl]

Overall, you hair is healthy so I don't know what could cause hair loss at the nape except, like what someone said earlier, that area needs to be relaxed last. I don't know if you self-relax, but if you go to a beautician, please have them apply the relaxer to that section of your hair last and follow-up with a good moisturizer.