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Home • Coily • Curly • Regimen

10 Ways You're Causing Nape Breakage

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8 Herbs for Healthy Hair
By Chelsea Fregis · Updated January 16, 2013

Nape Breakage Rescue

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No matter how healthy our hair is, there’s always one problem area that refuses to cooperate. For some of us it’s the nape. While the rest of our hair flourishes, our nape hair refuses to grow and also has the audacity to break. If you want to regrow your damaged nape, but have no idea where to start, read on to see what you may be doing to contribute to your nape breakage.
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Brushing & Combing

Too much detangling can create unnecessary stress on nape hair that is usually finer and weaker than the rest of our hair. Use your fingers instead.

Read: 2 Ways to Finger Detangle

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Cowl neck sweater

Certain Clothing Fabrics

The fibers can easily trap your nape hair, and every time you move your head, your strands can be pulled and tugged, which will eventually break them.

Avoid cowl neck tops, turtlenecks and shirts that rub against your nape or if they’re made of wool.

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Excessive Heat

Turn down the heat when flat ironing or blow-drying your nape. Remember that hair burns at anything over 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Whenever you decide to flat iron or blow dry your hair for stretching purposes, use a heat-protectant serum like Pantene’s Natural Shine Serum or Eco Styler Olive Oil Serum.

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Processing Hair

When applying chemicals to the hair like a texturizer or bleach, be mindful of the fact that some areas are weaker than others and more susceptible to breakage.

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Tight ponytails

Avoid securing your ponytails too tightly, as it puts tension on the nape of the hair which leads to breakage.

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NOT Giving Protective Styles a Chance

Allowing your nape hair to avoid the rigors of styling will allow it to strengthen and grow. Just make sure to still pay attention to the roots of your natural hair and continue to clarify as often as you would if your complete hair was exposed.

MORE: How Weave Can Help (Or Harm”> Natural Hair

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Sleeping on cotton

Always cover your hair at night with a silk or satin bonnet when you sleep to prevent damage from friction and dryness. This will keep the friction between your cotton pillow and your nape at a minimum.

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Not Moisturizing Enough

Moisturize your nape hair more than the rest of your hair. If needed, moisturize it daily or twice daily to prevent breakage due to dryness. Use something like SheaMoisture Extra Moisture Transitioning Milk or Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Softening Butter.

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Castor oil

Skipping the Pre Poo Step

Massage your scalp with castor oil as many curlies have claimed that it has helped to stimulating growth in damaged areas. It is also helpful for loosening up tangles and prevention that replenishing hair of its natural oils that might be stripped during the washing process.

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MORE: 4 Ways Castor Oil Is Basically Magic

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