extreme breakage // wave nouveau

ninfee

about two weeks ago, maybe a little less, i had a wave nouveau placed into my hair. and it was okay for the first week. i ditched the products because it was a bit too greasy and moved on to some other things.

i now use it's a 10 miracle leave in (which the hairdresser recommended as an alternative to the wn finishing mist), some tea tree oil at my scalp, and [buylink=http://www.curlmart.com/Hair-Rules-Curly-Whip-p-902.html?utm_source=naturallycurly.com&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=curltalk-post-text&utm_campaign=Hair-Rules-Curly-Whip]hair rules curly whip[/buylink]. and of course some coconut oil and olive oil for added moisture. and i use the sally's version of the redken anti-snap and the wn finishing mist on my ends. also i only wash my hair once a week. (just in case you needed to know my routine to help)

now it's been about two weeks and around five days ago my hair started breaking. i was told shedding was nomral. but this was not shedding, it was breakage (not from the root tho the pieces of hair were very long). but the breakage is extreme. i can't run my hands through my hair to apply product without a handful of hairs coming out. it's not just ends either, but almost root hairs (however not quite because i never see the white bulb on the end). and i've begun developing thinning and "bald spots" in the crown of my head and lots of small ones all in my hair.

i went back. but the original hair dresser was just no help at all. all he did was saturate my hair with the wn lotion and told me i wasn't using enough. it's been two days, my hair is still completely saturated with the product. and the breakage is still occurring.

has anyone been through this or have any suggestions on something i can do to stop the breakage?

and hello, this is my first post, exciting : ). sorry for such a long story.

edit i /think/ i'm around a 3b, 3c. and i am 1/3 Black, 1/3 Asian (it's a mixture of some Chinese, Japanese, and if i'm not mistaken Vietnamese), and 1/3 Caribbean/Guyanese - so my hair is rather course. i've also had relaxer perviously in my hair. it's been a little over a year since my last one.

MirCurls

As far as I know, from the VERY little I've read, a Wave Nouveau is NEVER EVER EVER supposed to be put on relaxed hair. If your hair had been relaxed and the relaxed part hadn't been trimmed off, the WN will cause breakage.

Let me get some linky up for you:

http://forum.blackhairmedia.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=176307&PID=4052173

Did you reseach Wave Nouveau's effect on hair before having it?

Both procedures (relaxer, WN) are really harsh, harsh on hair.

I suggest you ask this question in the subforum for relaxing or even transitioning (since they have ladies with breakage there).

Protein reconstructors and intense conditioners--may wanna research those.

But the sad fact is that if your hair is in such a fragile state that it's just breaking off with a mere touch of your hands....you may need to cut it off and start fresh with unprocessed hair. Hope not, but that may be a possibility.

Hope you find something helpful--but with such harsh chemical processes, I can say I'd be worried...

I hope you can find a way to embrace your natural texture and optimize it and never have to use chemical texturizers again...

afrosheenqueen

MirCurls is right. It's the Wave on top of relaxed ahir that's causing breakage. You may need to have a hair cut if the breakage continue. Keep your hair very moisturized.

jedimindtricks

interesting

ninfee

thank you MirCurls, and afrosheenqueen. i decided to take a plunge and cut some of it off. however, i couldn't part with all of it. and i'm taking extra extra care. i used a pt and a deep conditioner. i just used the gvp joico k-pack because i already had it handy.

it's still breaking off a little bit, but i'm trying my darnest to resist touching it (i would run my fingers through the ends just to check if it was still breaking).

thank you for your help : )

MirCurls

ninfee wrote: »

thank you MirCurls, and afrosheenqueen. i decided to take a plunge and cut some of it off. however, i couldn't part with all of it. and i'm taking extra extra care. i used a pt and a deep conditioner. i just used the gvp joico k-pack because i already had it handy.

it's still breaking off a little bit, but i'm trying my darnest to resist touching it (i would run my fingers through the ends just to check if it was still breaking).

thank you for your help : )

I really hope you can grow it out fast and that the breakade decelerates/stops.

Remember to check the various subforums on breakage/transitioning/etc, causee there are tips on protective styling and how to help hair grow out healthfully and maybe faster.

I know that eating more protein and taking Biotin and a multivitamin are helping me some, so it's worth seeing what info is out there that might suit you with your unique conditions (physical, medical, lifestyle). And really, stop using relaxers/texturizers. Get the healthy growth out and find a great look for you. With that ethnic mix you have, I'm thinking your natural hair must have insane potential.

Best of luck!

Suburbanbushbabe

i've also had relaxer perviously in my hair. it's been a little over a year since my last one.

As other said, this is likely the problem. Basically you got a jheri curl over a regular relaxer. Wave nouveau and relaxer chemicals don't mix. Be prepared for more breakage; keep it as hydrated and moisturized as possible.

QVCDiva

Suburbanbushbabe wrote: »

i've also had relaxer perviously in my hair. it's been a little over a year since my last one.

As other said, this is likely the problem. Basically you got a jheri curl over a regular relaxer. Wave nouveau and relaxer chemicals don't mix. Be prepared for more breakage; keep it as hydrated and moisturized as possible.

Concurring with what everyone else has already stated.

Back, in the day (1980s) when I decided to get a curly perm, I had to get all the relaxed her cut off, thus my first BC.

kwicherbichen

I know this is old, but I have personal experience.

I was completely natural for 6 months (with some relaxed ends). I couldn't take it and I got a Wave Nouvou.

I had EXTREME breakage. The WN juice did not help. Once you allow your hair to NOT be damp with the juice, the hair will break and there is NO way to stop it.

For years afterwards, I've been dealing with terrible breakage (not as bad as the WN).

I'm getting it under control now that I am using Mizani Butter Blends. But I just wanted to say your story is not uncommon. I don't suggest WN to ANYONE.

MindyDoe

i know this is very old, but my mom and I also got the WN...She started before me but I started in June 2019 and It was light shedding (enough to worry though) thinking it was bkuz i was waiting to long for a retouch...I got a retouch in Nov. 2019. Now, its Jan.30th 2020 and my mom and i both are experiencing extreme breakage all over. I really hate to start over

clondon19

It has nothing to do with relaxed hair my daughter was completely natural my mom went to a salon and got this put in my daughter hair and she had to start completely over her breakage was terrible and was all around her edges the lady at the salon stated its because she was supposed to go every 3 months to get it done we went back every 3 months like she said and the breakage got much worse we had to cut the middle of her hair off like the rest just to start over she was hurt and wouldn't go to school she's 8 the lady at the salon didn't help nor did the company and we did everything they said do.

andreajones188

A common misconception for most people is that hair breakage and split ends are the same thing. While that’s not the case, they are both caused by many of the same poor hair maintenance habits. Hair breakage and split ends both occur when strands or tips are broken, which usually happens from a lack of moisture, heat styling, or from chemical exposure. Hair breakage can appear on the ends of the hair, but you might see it at any point of the strand. A tell-tale sign of breakage is seeing small white dots in different areas of the hair. These white dots are an indication that the hair is fractured or severely chemically damaged, giving your hair an overall straw-like look. Split ends, however, are usually only seen at the tips.

1. Lack of Moisture and Oils: Washing your hair too often will strip out all of the natural oils that your scalp produces. If the scalp becomes dry and brittle, it will not give your scalp enough time to produce the oils that it needs. This will result in dry, brittle hair, leading to breakage or split ends. Using the wrong products also plays a factor. If you're cleansing your hair with sulfates and other harsh ingredients, the scalp will become dry too quickly and you’ll be worsening the problem. Pai-Shau Replenishing Hair Cleanser is sulfate free, gluten free, vegan, and made with a tea-infused formula that works on both the hair and scalp. 

1. Styling: Frequently using heat styling tools will severely damage your stands and cause breakage. The heat from these styling tools will strip the oils and proteins that are needed in order for your hair to stay strong. Without them, your hair will dry out, thus causing it to break off easier. Tight hairstyles can also cause breakage. High ponytails and super tight braids might look super cute, but the long-term effect will eventually cause breakage to your hairline. The tight friction of pulling and tugging makes the hair more susceptible to breaking off at the root. 

1. Chemical Exposure: If you get your hair colored or chemically treated often, then you’ve definitely experienced breakage at some point. It’s just inevitable. These chemicals change the bonds that make your hair the texture that it is. 

1. Nutrition: Lack of essential nutrients could be an attributing factor to hair damage. Zinc, iron and folic acid are essential nutrients you need in your diet for your hair to stay strong. Some examples that will help your diet are eggs, spinach, salmon, avocados and nuts. Hair is made up of a protein called keratin. Make sure you’re not consuming too much or too little. Always use protein in small doses. Water is another key nutrient to healthier hair. Hydration will show through your scalp and prevent lack of moisture. This is one of the important causes for hair breakage.

1. Environmental Conditions: Cold, dry climates, heat, humidity, wind, and the sun can all take a toll on the overall health of your hair. The dry winter air will lead to static and dry hair. Switching from indoor air to outdoor can damage the cuticle layers of your hair. Strong winds in the air lead to tangles. Tangles lead to breakage. The list goes on... When in these environmental conditions, it is important to adjust your hair care regimen accordingly and give yourself some extra self care. 

1. Stress: Have you been stressed out lately? Extreme stress can cause hair roots to reach a stopping stage of their hair growth cycle prior to when they are supposed to. This will result in fall out from the root. Extreme stress is one of the major factors that causes breakage and split ends in hair,

1. Genetic Factors: Lastly, a cause of hair breakage and split ends could be your genetics. Do your parents, grandparents, or relatives have fine hair? This could be the reason why your hair is more susceptible to breakage. Fine hair is fragile and must be treated with delicacy. 

These are the 7 major causes for hair breakage and split ends

 Read this: How to Moisturize Your Hair- Effective Tips to Keep your Hair Hydrated

5 WAYS TO REPAIR AND PREVENT HAIR BREAKAGE AND SPLIT ENDS:

1. Limit manipulation of your hair. Avoid aggressive brushing, drying, heat styling, and tight hairstyles. 
2. Consume the right nutrients. Start eating foods that are rich in protein, such as eggs, fatty fish, spinach, and also drink more water. 
3. Get a trim.  Visit your hairstylist every 4-6 weeks. This will remove the tips that are broken off, and leave hair looking and feeling healthy again.
4. Load up on moisture. Use Hair Care Products that are gentle (like Pai-Shau!) and have natural ingredients that fit well with your hair texture. Add Pai-Shau’s Supreme Revitalizing Mask (moisturing mask for hair), Something To BeLeave-In, and Biphasic Infusion hair serum into your hair care RouTEAne. These products will give you ultimate hydration and strength. Be careful when your hair is wet (this is when it’s most fragile). 
5. Switch out your towel and pillowcase. Use a microfiber towel and a silk pillowcase to lessen irritation on your hair.

Causes of Hair breakage and split ends is quite common but can sometimes be hard to manage. Stay the course with the advice above to prevent breakage and split ends in hair and, you’ll see a dramatic difference in your hair. Try it out!