Breakage

[Cocoabutterkim]

Always had breakage at a the back of my head. Please tell me your failsafe ways to banish breakage forever. My hair is natural and probably 3c. I’m getting great growth at the front but at the back the curl is tighter and prone to breaking.

Simple questions first. I had breakage in this area and it was mainly as I was not wrapping my hair every night. Have you tried a silk pillow, wrapping and protective styling at night? I'm a 4c girl so these steps are crucial for my hair as well as making sure my hair is well moisturised

I use a silk pillow but am lazy with wrapping! What wrap do you use?

Besides the fact that scarves never stayed on my head all through the night, they broke my edges for some reason. Braids and twists did the same even though they grew my hair like weed. They weren't even tight, my hair just didn't want to be held against its will.😂

I started using satin pillows (I prefer them to silk ones and my hair seemed to do so too). Moisturizing helped too.

Saying that, through many years of trial and error, great hair growth and retention, then sudden period of breakage over and over even with constant moisturizing, I found the only thing my hair needed was to be left alone. As a 4c, I couldn't just leave it alone without some sort of (light) manipulation like just fluffing and detangling. So went full freeform locs. Never heard of breakage again and I don't even use the satin pillows anymore. Prefer the feel of cotton or softer/fluffy fabrics on my skin like wool, velvet, etc.

Keeping it moisturised is still very much key though.

*Meant scarves + bonnets, hair nets, durag, etc. Used them all. The silkier it was, the easier it slipped.

I can’t get on with bonnets at night - I move around too much. With scarves, I have to tie them super tight to get them to stay on and it’s not comfortable. I’ve resorted to using good quality sheen tights on my head at nigh as a cap which has really helped my hair

I was just going to suggest sheen tights if you struggle keeping a bonnet on. They work a treat

@DreadsVanLocksDarling

Besides the fact that scarves never stayed on my head all through the night, they broke my edges for some reason. Braids and twists did the same even though they grew my hair like weed. They weren't even tight, my hair just didn't want to be held against its will.😂

I started using satin pillows (I prefer them to silk ones and my hair seemed to do so too). Moisturizing helped too.

Saying that, through many years of trial and error, great hair growth and retention, then sudden period of breakage over and over even with constant moisturizing, I found the only thing my hair needed was to be left alone. As a 4c, I couldn't just leave it alone without some sort of (light) manipulation like just fluffing and detangling. So went full freeform locs. Never heard of breakage again and I don't even use the satin pillows anymore. Prefer the feel of cotton or softer/fluffy fabrics on my skin like wool, velvet, etc.

Keeping it moisturised is still very much key though.

You are describing my hair to a tee. It seems to refuse to stay in place for any hairstyle. I have always wanted locs but love to change my hair up so it feels like a massive commitment and what do I do during the awkward phase. I suppose March last year would have been the perfect time to start and they would be a decent length now. I may try it

@Dastardlythefriendlymutt Yes it is a commitment. I occasionally miss some of my other styles but each time the reminiscing starts, I'm sharply reminded of my exhausting daily process of hair care/styling/maintenance. Don't need any other motivation to stay put. lol

I've never been a 'high maintenance' hair styling type though so this allows me to still look as nice and put-together as I want to look without doing much of anything with it iyswim. Braids was in its place till I realised how much it took my hair out + it requires hours of sitting down and braiding. Wash and go afro was another but it still requires detangling.

I think this may be for me. I am partial to wigs, braids and extensions (love the versatility). I'm terrible for styling my own natural year beyond a few styles, but mainly because my hair doesn't keep the style for long and it comes out of place by the end of the day even cornrows don't last long so this may be my solution. Nothing ventured nothing gained right?

Yep