Black Hair Breakage
Written by Samara on August 14, 2008So the word of the day is “Breakage”, “Black Hair Breakage” that is. Looking over the key words for this month this is what I came across. I’ve decided to tackle this topic head on as one of the Black Hair Blog’s articles!
Why does our hair break so much?
The answers are:
- Dryness
- Weaves
- Tight Ponytails or excessive wear of them
- Tight Braids
- Failure to use a satin scarf or bonnet at night
- Hair Products
- Extensive use of heated appliances
- Brushing the hair or using fine tooth combs
Dryness & Hair Products
Some of these topics I have already covered throughout the website in previous articles. One of the main reasons our hair breaks is because of dryness! Not using the proper moisturizing product in your hair is what causes dryness which includes using products containing mineral oil, petroleum, parifum liquidum, and protein which all causes dryness. Protein should only be used in your weekly conditioning treatments followed by a water-based moisturizer.
Weaves
Wearing weaves is also one of the main causes of black hair breakage. The glue in glued in weaves can rip out the hair and if the glue was applied to your scalp it will even stunt the hair growth (Never glue tracks to your scalp!). Sewed in weaves can be damaging also because the scalp is covered and hair cannot be properly cleansed and moisturized.
Heated Appliances
Using heated appliances too often is also drying and damaging to the hair. First moisturize your hair and allow the moisture to absorb by waiting 5 minutes before applying heat. Keep the use of heating appliances limited to once or twice a week only.
Brushes & Fine Toothed Combs
Brushes and fine tooth combs rip out the hair and causes extreme and uneccesary breakage. DO NOT use a brush in your hair at all and only use wide tooth and medium tooth combs.
Failure to Use a Satin Scarf or Bonnet
Sleep with a satin bonnet or scarf to prevent moisture loss and breakage because the cotton on your pillow case and sheets absorbs the moisture from you hair. Also, tying the hair or covering it with a bonnet lessens tangles in the morning.
Treating Hair Breakage
If breakage is extreme treat the hair with an intensive protein treatment such as the Aphogee Two-Step Protein Conditioner followed by a good moisturizer and allow the hair to air dry.
Remembering this information will lessen breakage and allow you to grow beautiful long hair!
12 Responses to Black Hair Breakage
FiRST 0FF i W0ULD LikE T0 SAY THANK Y0U F0R MAKiNG THiS WEB SiTEiT iS A BLESSiNG MY HAiR HAS GROWN SO MUCH…&& MiGHT i ADD iT LOOKS STRONGER THAT EVER…i L0VE THiS WEB SiTE i GET 0NE iT 2 TiMES A WEEK JUSS T0 REMiND MY SELF 0F WHAT i NEED TO DO TO MAiNTAiN MY HAiR STATUS…0NCE AGAiN THANK Y0U F0R MAKiN THiS SiTE…
I am so glad this site has helped you grow your hair. Maybe you can submit some photos of your hair growth! I’m glad to know that my site has made a difference. That is the biggest reward of all!
What if your hair is partially kinky and partially fine? Would these steps still work, because if I was to apply moisturizer to my hair daily, it would build up?
If you follow the “Grow Black Hair” Guide and wash your hair every 3 days this will eliminate the build up if any. Also if you have extreme buildup from using heavy products which aren’t recommended on this site then try the Organic Root Stimulator Uplifting Shampoo.
When moisturizing your hair daily pay attention to how your hair feels certain parts of the hair are drier than others so you may need more moisturizer in certain areas. For example my hair tends to be drier in the back so I have to apply more moisturizer in the back than in the front.
Do you have any more pictures of yourself or testimonial pictures from others on before and after pictures of hair growth?
I do, but I’ve decided to grow out my relaxer and switch to a less damaging texturizer to see if that is a better option. I recently cut off two inches of my hair and my hair is only shoulder length in a effort to begin to remove and grow out the relaxed hair.
Samara,
I have heard that it is better to use a “no seem” wide tooth comb preferably becuase the seems in your “typical” hair comb act as a clipper and actully breaks the hair and becuase we relax our hair is alot more fragile than the next so we need to be extra cautious!!!!SEEMS CAN CAUSE BREAKAGE!!!!!
Mixed Chicks deep conditioner is great for moisture and it will stop breakage. Less breaks = more growth. It worked for me.
i am cutting off my hair and going natural!!! i cant wait to see the growth
Im hearing all of these opinions on using products with petrolatum and mineral oil but frankly i think its about what works for u. ….. I love the pantene daily moisturiser and its contains both but my hair feels great and it has been growing since i relaxed in on christmas day 2008 so to me its about what works for you and what you prefer. Carrot cream is great too as recommended but i found that it turned my hair a nasty brownish colour so again i say…its about wat works for u…pantene rules!
SAMARA I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU DECIDED TO MAKE THIS WEBSITE ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK WOMEN TRYING TO GROW THEIR HAIR. I FEEL THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL SITES TO DATE BECAUSE YOU CHRONICAL YOUR PROGRESS SO THEREFORE I KNOW IT’S REAL. MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT I BEEN WEARING MY HAIR SHORT SINCE HIGH SCHOOL AND IT’S CUT IN A STYLE THAT IS LONG IN THE FRONT AND SHORT IN THE BACK. I WANT TO STOP RELAXING MY HAIR AND GROW OUT MY HAIR BUT I DON’T WANT TO CUT IT EVEN YET AND I DON’T WANT MY HAIR TO BREAK OFF EITHER.SO SHOULD I STILL FOLLOW YOUR GUIDE TO GOING NATURAL AND IS VITAMINS GOOD FOR MY JOURNEY?
You can grow your hair out without any breakage even with a hair cut like yours. Once you are happy with the length of your new growth you can have all the relaxed ends cut off and your hair should be even. I recommend you reading the Transitioning Guide to help you in your transition from a relaxer to natural.
Vitamins do not necessarily aid in hair growth, but they are beneficial to the body. A healthy diet can improve the health of your hair along with a vitamin supplement if need be.