Reached my goal...but now it's breaking off!!!

[BonFille]

Okay first off your hair is beautiful. I thank you for posting you are helping us who have just reached lengths in these areas a thing or two about edges and napes, it looks like those are areas that you will always need to pay special attention to. Now I have to say goodbye to my necklaces or at least not wear them as often. That is going to be a hard one. I looooooove jewelry.
Second here is the whoppin you believe you have coming (this is in the more section where the smilies are.

Third another product you could try is amla or shikakai either the oil or the powder to help you strengthen those areas. I am using those now and have considerably less shedding and no breakage.

I too have a very sensitive edge area so I am paying particular attention to that area, I cannot do the pull back of hair or any tension. I even have to be careful of my cornrows and flat twists so that I am not pulling too tight. These areas are also my slow growth areas.

Be very mindful of EVERYTHING that causes tension or pulling and as the others suggested stop or delay your touch ups in those areas.

OOOOOhhh, your hair is so nice and thick. You are doing great!! You hit the nail right on the head: I have to be mindful. Everything I did to acheive my current length is what I need to continue doing in order to keep it on my head. I guess I just needed to a reminder. I am back on my game starting today. I swear I have been on this site all day. My macho husband is in kitchen washing dishes and cooking dinner because I won't leave my laptop. BTW, I am going to try that oil. Thank you!

 

[SleekandBouncy]

First of all your hair is TDF! You must share your regimen prior to the breakage starting!!!!

As for the breakage, if it happened around the time that you switched relaxers, which you suggest in your photo album, then I would not use it again. Have you used a clarifying shampoo since your last touch up with that relaxer? I would do that immediately and look at your new relaxer as being a possible culprit of your breage.

I would probably alternate protein and moisture deep treatments to help put strength and moisture into your hair.

Consider what you might be doing differently, extra heat, tighter ponytails, a change in diet, stress, etc. Your diet can play a big role in your hair so make sure you're getting sufficient protein and water.

Are you tying your hair scarf too tight at night or wrapping your hair too tight? have you changed stylists recently or incorporated a new product? Was your old Affirm relaxer no lye or lye and what about your next relaxer? Some ppl switch from lye to no lye and find themselves with more breakage. I used to use Affirm and it was good, but a little strong for my hair. I realized years later that it was overprocessing my hair.

 

[Miss_Jetsetter]

Yes, I am almost certain that the breakage is from the switch. I went back to Affirm. Now, I have to be careful and nurse it back to help. Thank goodness for this forum.

Hey, I am envious of your mac page!! Do I need to go back to school or something? I have a macbook pro and I don't know how to use half the features. I gotta take the time to LEARN. Your hair looks HEALTHY, THICK, and EVEN. It's growing fast too.

Thanks for the compliments!

The web page is sooooo easy! You just need the iweb program. It will get you started on everything you need to do. It is so simple.

 

[buttaflye03]

Congrats on reaching your hair goal! Your hair is beautiful! The ladies have given you great advice (I think for the rest of us too). Please do share your regimen.

 

[hairmaster]

I think you need to look at the jewlery like earings, necklace. Blouses you wear, does your hair brush overit collar rub at nape.

 

[ubavka123]

Congrats on your goal. Your hair is amazing. The ladies have given some great suggestions, I just wanted to get in on that prayer circle, too! Wow!!!

 

[SelfStyled]

Hi there, you have been covered with great advice, just wanted to let you know that I was sorry for your recent setbacks, and to let you know that your hair is gorgeous! I think you got it right: Go back to the basics.

 

[BonFille]

First of all your hair is TDF! You must share your regimen prior to the breakage starting!!!!

As for the breakage, if it happened around the time that you switched relaxers, which you suggest in your photo album, then I would not use it again. Have you used a clarifying shampoo since your last touch up with that relaxer? I would do that immediately and look at your new relaxer as being a possible culprit of your breage.

I would probably alternate protein and moisture deep treatments to help put strength and moisture into your hair.

Consider what you might be doing differently, extra heat, tighter ponytails, a change in diet, stress, etc. Your diet can play a big role in your hair so make sure you're getting sufficient protein and water.

Are you tying your hair scarf too tight at night or wrapping your hair too tight? have you changed stylists recently or incorporated a new product? Was your old Affirm relaxer no lye or lye and what about your next relaxer? Some ppl switch from lye to no lye and find themselves with more breakage. I used to use Affirm and it was good, but a little strong for my hair. I realized years later that it was overprocessing my hair.

Regimen BEFORE I thought I was too cute and stopped pampering my hair:

Every week and a half I pre poo'd with EVOO. I'd put it in the night before shampoo day and sleep in it. If I had to go somewhere, I'd bun it.
(I think it was NAY007 who posted about putting hair in a ponytail and dipping it in a bowl of EVOO. Anyway, that's how I applied: wet ponytail and dip in bowl, make a bun and cover with plastic bag)
The next day, I'd shampoo with CON or Elasta QP then deep condition with Motions conditioner mixed with whatever conditioner I was trying to use up. I usually sat under dryer for 25 minutes.
I would alternate between roller sets and braid outs.

Rollersets: Applied a little bit of L'Oreal VIVE Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz serum and Mizani's ThermaStrength.
Applied a mix of LottaBody with Dudley's setting lotion
Set on medium rollers and sprayed entire head with a bit of oil sheen (I like Mizani's "just left the salon smell")
Once I was dry, I'd finger comb and put it up in a clip or pony tail or scrunchie. I only wore it down if I was going out or to dinner or somewhere nice. If my roots were frizzy, I'd flat iron them a little bit.

Braid outs: After shampooing, I'd slather on Elasta QP Mango Butter and Kemi Oil or WG Oil. Then I'd make 4 twists going to the back of the head. I'd add more mango butter and roll the ends. After I was dry, I'd take down twists with more Kemi oil on my hands and then I'd put on a headband and wear it big and wild. At night I'd dampen with water and retwist, adding more oil and mango butter to the ends and re-roll.

I went to my stylist every 12 weeks for a touch up: Affirm with lye. A couple of days later, I'd apply Bigen Oriental Black mixed with a bottle of Jazzing clear rinse.

It's pretty boring, but it really worked well for me.

I am going back to this schedule and I am going to add a protein treatment. I do believe that I am over processed. BTW, thank you and I appreciate all of your comments. My photos can't show how my hair just doesn't FEEL the same anymore. It feels weak and dry and I can tell its not happy. It's shedding and breaking. IT JUST AIN'T RIGHT NO MO! UGH!!
Ok, just had to get that out.

 

[BrownSkin2]

I have nothing to add other than your hair is beautiful!! Please share your regimen.

 

[XXXtacy]

You are hair is DDG!!! Great job and congratulations!!!


These ladies have given great advice to help you.

 

[bravenewgirl87]

Yup. I was 1/2 an inch away from shoulder-length, and now its breaking off.. again. Damn you ATL heat and collared shirts... DAYUM YOU!

But, I used some Porosity Control, and DC liked crazy, as well as baggying and co-washing. I won't let this stop me.

 

[BonFille]

I have nothing to add other than your hair is beautiful!! Please share your regimen.

Thanks!!!! I posted my regimen. It's nothing fancy. I forgot to add that I put a bit of Kemi oil on my scalp, as needed. If I rolled or wrapped my hair at night, I'd put a little bit of vitapointe, olive oil moisturizer or KeraCare creme hairdress on the ends. Now that I think of it, I was putting moisturizer on my ends each and every single night.

 

[BonFille]

Yup. I was 1/2 an inch away from shoulder-length, and now its breaking off.. again. Damn you ATL heat and collared shirts... DAYUM YOU!

But, I used some Porosity Control, and DC liked crazy, as well as baggying and co-washing. I won't let this stop me.

HA!!! Those collared shirts will eat your hair up!
Your hair looks good and thick. Keep up the hard work! I will do the same. It took me too long to grow my hair out. I will hold on to these strands if it's the last thing I do!!!

 

[tkj25]

OMG! your hair is gorgeous! Congratulations on reaching your hair goals. You've received plenty of great advice. The only thing I can think to add is, since you think the perm is the culprit, make sure that you've thoroughly neutralized your hair. I'd recommend a neutralizing conditioner vs. a neutralizing shampoo, i think Motions makes one. Also you could incorporate an ACV rinse. I know Sareca & VWVixxen & delp have posted some really cool, innovative tips about "spiked neutralization".

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=131273&highlight=neutralizing+apple+cider+vinegar

hth

 

[BonFille]

OMG! your hair is gorgeous! Congratulations on reaching your hair goals. You've received plenty of great advice. The only thing I can think to add is, since you think the perm is the culprit, make sure that you've thoroughly neutralized your hair. I'd reccommend a neutralizing conditioner vs. a neutralizing shampoo, i think Motions makes one. Also you could incorporate an ACV rinse. I know Sareca & VWVixxen & delp have posted some really cool, innovative tips about "spiked neutralization".

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=131273&highlight=neutralizing+apple+cider+vinegar

hth

Thanks for the link. See why I need to be on this site all day? There is so much information. I am going to fight my fear and try to do my own touch up next time. This info will be great, I want to make sure I neutralize properly.
Okay, your hair is GORGEOUS!

 

[tkj25]

I know what you mean. I've been away for a while and luckily it's a long weekend cause I got a lotta catchin' up to do. And thank you by the way. I can't wait 'til I have a progress pic like yours. I'll be like BAM --there it is!

 

[SleekandBouncy]

Regimen BEFORE I thought I was too cute and stopped pampering my hair:

Every week and a half I pre poo'd with EVOO. I'd put it in the night before shampoo day and sleep in it. If I had to go somewhere, I'd bun it.
(I think it was NAY007 who posted about putting hair in a ponytail and dipping it in a bowl of EVOO. Anyway, that's how I applied: wet ponytail and dip in bowl, make a bun and cover with plastic bag)
The next day, I'd shampoo with CON or Elasta QP then deep condition with Motions conditioner mixed with whatever conditioner I was trying to use up. I usually sat under dryer for 25 minutes.
I would alternate between roller sets and braid outs.

Rollersets: Applied a little bit of L'Oreal VIVE Smooth-Intense Anti-Frizz serum and Mizani's ThermaStrength.
Applied a mix of LottaBody with Dudley's setting lotion
Set on medium rollers and sprayed entire head with a bit of oil sheen (I like Mizani's "just left the salon smell")
Once I was dry, I'd finger comb and put it up in a clip or pony tail or scrunchie. I only wore it down if I was going out or to dinner or somewhere nice. If my roots were frizzy, I'd flat iron them a little bit.

Braid outs: After shampooing, I'd slather on Elasta QP Mango Butter and Kemi Oil or WG Oil. Then I'd make 4 twists going to the back of the head. I'd add more mango butter and roll the ends. After I was dry, I'd take down twists with more Kemi oil on my hands and then I'd put on a headband and wear it big and wild. At night I'd dampen with water and retwist, adding more oil and mango butter to the ends and re-roll.

I went to my stylist every 12 weeks for a touch up: Affirm with lye. A couple of days later, I'd apply Bigen Oriental Black mixed with a bottle of Jazzing clear rinse.

It's pretty boring, but it really worked well for me.

I am going back to this schedule and I am going to add a protein treatment. I do believe that I am over processed. BTW, thank you and I appreciate all of your comments. My photos can't show how my hair just doesn't FEEL the same anymore. It feels weak and dry and I can tell its not happy. It's shedding and breaking. IT JUST AIN'T RIGHT NO MO! UGH!!
Ok, just had to get that out.

Thank you!
Is your new relaxer a no lye? Many women complain of breakage and dryness with no lye relaxers so maybe you should stick with lye even if you don't go back to the specific Affirm brand.

Your hair is so shiny in your photos btw!

 

[LovelyLionessa]

BonFille your hair is divinely gorgeous, I haven't anything new to add, the ladies here do offer great advice.

I'm left speechless looking at your tresses. Good luck, hair does go through phases, I'm sure it will be back on track before you know it.

 

[Empress Yahudah]

I just wanted to say ur hair is amazing!!! Im so glad u came out of lurkdome with that hair and I hope u stay in and mingle with us and also keep us up to date with ur progress to recover from breakage.

 

[Kurlee]

ur hair looks so healthy and shiny despite the breakage

 

[Brownie518]

Congrats girl. Your hair is beautiful. I have to same problem with my nape except mine is a lot further up than yours. I had to stop perming that area because it's very fragile. Also be careful of the necklaces you wear. Hair gets caught,tangles and breaks.
You hairline may be fragile period hence the breakage in the front too.
Are you putting enough conditioner on those areas? You may want to part your hair in 6 sections when applying conditioner to make sure of even distribution.
Hope this helps.

Great advice for you here. And your hair...! Absolutely gorgeous. Congrats on your goal. Hang in there. You will recover from this setback and learn from it.

 

[hondahoney007]

Your hair is gorgeous!!!! I've added you to my list of hair inspirations. I have breakage in the same areas. So I will be following your progress. Tried to leave comments in your fotki albums but you didn't enable comments.

 

[BonFille]

Oh, ok! I have to go and change that. Thanks!

 

[Aura]

I had to add my 2 cents to this. Although it may have been said already, this is my recommendation:

1. Trim your hairline area.

2. Do not relax your hairline area for a while, and when you do make sure it is a very MILD relaxer like Phyto-Specific Index 1. My nape and hairline was like this until I started using Phyto, now it's long and thick ( I'm texlaxed now).

3. Apply Original Mane and Tail conditioner leave in to your hairline after you wash and condition then style. Also use a tiny bit of it with oil as a moisturizer every other day. Also look up previous LHCF posts about jamaican black castor oil, I've read that this works well too. It may sound like a lot of protein, but it'll build strength in your strands so they won't break off. My mom's hairline was becoming bald and she put Mane and Tail leave in on it EVERYDAY and it grew back nice and thick. Use scrunchies if you must wear a ponytail.

4. If you must get it straight, use a heat protectant like Chi silk infusion or Silk Elements heat protectant.

Or another reason for breakage may be that the anagen phase (active hair growth) cycle of that part of your head is significantly shorter than the obvious middle part. There are things on the market that may help prolong this phase, but i can not make any recommendations right now, I'm still researching this myself. Either way, your hair is beautiful, and I'm sure no one will notice. We all have hair hang ups, we're just more critical of ourselves. You look great!