An Update On My Nape Progress - December 2014

If you have followed my hair journey, you may know that one of the major problems that I wanted to focus on from the start was my nape.  You can read up on prior posts here and here.  For years, my nape has never been in the best shape, but since starting my journey I have definitely started to make progress.  Now I'm not saying that it's in the most optimal condition right now, but it's definitely better than it has been, thanks to better healthy hair practices.

My Nape Progress

A little passed shoulder length

Ear length (left) |  Neck length (right)

I don't think I've done anything too drastic in order to improve my nape. For my case, I think the key problem was my nape being over-processed from relaxing. I think that the stylist(s) I visited were not rinsing my nape thoroughly and were not wiping down the sink where my relaxed head had been resting.  I'm a short girl so my neck never quite rested in the bowl as it should.  Because of my nape continuing to be in such a poor state, I kept cutting my hair hoping to start over despite my length goals.  I would cut my hair only to end up with the same results - dry, broken, damaged nape.

I attribute my progress to:  

1. Stretching my relaxers
2. Moisturizing and Sealing frequently
3. Trying my best to "leave it alone"(very hard to do...lol)
4. Trying to keep my nape from rubbing against jackets, coats, and shirt collars. I cringe when I feel a strand of my hair stick to my shirt....

I am so proud to say that I have turned this around, despite the negative comments from my stylist at the time who constantly told me that my nape just wasn't going to grow.  I was determined to prove her wrong.  I sometimes felt discouraged, because it seemed to take forever to really see real results, but I had to be patient. And we all know that patience is extremely important in a hair journey. Progress doesn't happen over night.

Right now my nape is a little passed shoulder length.  I have been trimming it occasionally to get rid of dead ends.  I am so excited about my progress, but the journey with my nape is far from over.  The next stop for my nape journey..., APL! :)

Thanks for reading and happy hair nape growing!

My Nape - Making Progress Slowly But Surely

I finally got around to getting some updated pics for my nape progress comparison.   As I've said before, it's not where I'd hoped to be at this point in my journey, but progress is progress and I am happy.  It was very hard to get a good comparison as far as length but I think the progress is still visible. 

At the start of my journey I could barely grasp the hair, but now I can get small rollers in for my rollersets.  The main thing that I have been focusing on is keeping my nape moisturized and massaging my scalp with Castor oil and avoiding stress in that area.  Also, when relaxing I usually relax this area last, so the relaxer is only on this area for a couple of minutes really. Under-processing my nape allows for more strength in that area. Not only have I seen progress in the length and thickness, but also the texture.  It is so much softer, no longer stiff and course.  Thank you Darcy's Coconut Lemongrass Transition Crème, JBCO, and peppermint oil! 

I remember my old stylist used to tell my how the texture of my hair at my nape is just different than the rest of my hair and that it just wasn't going to grow.  Her solution was to just hide it or keep cutting my hair short.  I opted to take another route.  I've mentioned before that I feel the main cause for my damaged nape was definitely over-processing.  This is why it felt so course.  I've also realized that my nape grows so much slower than the rest of my hair, so this plus the fact that I used to get my hair relaxed bone straight every 6 weeks was a bad combination.  Check out my previous post here to read about some other causes of nape damage and tips on remedying this problem.

This area is still a work in progress.  I will continue to focus on baying my nape as I have been and hope to see more progress soon.  I'll be sure to keep you all updated on my progress.

 

Do you have any problem areas with your hair?

What have you done to remedy them and have you seen progress? 

Please share in the comments section below.

Thanks for reading!

   Andrea

Relaxer Update (Very Overdue)

Hey ladies! It has been a looooong while since my last post it seems.  Like many of you all, life has been happening and so I haven't been making the time to post any updates on my hair, although I have continued to stalk you all's blogs.  I get excited to see you ladies' progress. I feel like we are all in this together, supporting and rooting each other on.  It's amazing!



Length check before trim

So what's been happening with my hair since my last post?  Well, I ended my 12 week relaxer stretch back on August 9.  This stretch seemed so easy.  I've been incorporating a lot of the techniques I've learned from many of you ladies and it has made life so much easier. Seriously!

For my relaxer, I did the half and half method as I usually do.  I was worried that I ended up with bone straight results; especially on the left back side which is the side I started on, so it had a bit longer processing time than the right side.  The rest of my hair seems to have reverted a bit since my last wash, but the left back still feels a bit straight.  I'm hoping this will not cause any issues at my next relaxer. My plan is to coat my new growth with my Silk Remedy (Sally's comparison to Chi Silk Infusion).  I usually only try to coat my previously relaxed hair, but next time I will try to coat the new growth as well.  I also plan to begin relaxing on the right side instead of the left.

Other than the "over-processing" scare (well not really), my relaxer touch up turned out to be successful.  I did a regular roller set and tried out the saran wrap method again. I've tried this before unsuccessfully, but never posted on it.  This time was definitely a success.  It was like I had flat ironed my hair without a flat iron. Perfect!



Finger combed hair into bun

After my relaxer I decided to go for a trim at Super Cuts.  My ends were in pretty good shape as far as health, but I've mentioned before that my ends are much thinner than I like, so I've decided to gradually snip away until I'm happy with the thickness.  I snapped a length check pick before the trim but never got around to taking a post-trim pic.  The day I went for my trim it was raining and humid. My hair turned into a puffy mess so I didn't bother.  As far as length, it looks like I reached around line 6-ish again which was the length I was at before my last trim back in April. I think she took about an inch off for this most recent trim. Not too drastic.

Since relaxer day I have been in bun city and loving it! I've barely been manipulating my hair other than to moisturize or massage castor oil into my scalp.  I'm hoping this is good enough for my M&S-ing though it doesn't seem to be too thorough  I've been trying to get the moisturizer into most of my hair as much as possible without having to part or manipulate it into sections.  It seems to be working so far.




Back view

I'm hoping to do an update on my nape soon. It's not where I want it to be but definitely making progress.  I've definitely gained some length and thickness there.  I can even get some small rollers back there.  This was not possible before starting my journey.

So far so good on this journey of mine. I may be starting my wash day tonight. I have not washed in two weeks. I have been so busy studying I couldn't even take the time for my weekly wash and my hair is screaming for a cleanse.




I hope all is continuing to go well with everyone's journey!

Thanks for reading,

   Andrea

Nape Damage and Recovery

I am one of the many relaxed women who have suffered damage to my nape or the "kitchen" as some call it.  It had always been a little bit of an issue for me.  It was always the shortest part of my hair as it is for many women.  My nape issue, however, seemed to get worse during my college years and a little bit after.  I kept wondering "Is it something that I'm doing?" And it may very well have been.  I have later come to realize that the stylists I had been going to may have contributed to this issue as well. 

One of my key goals during my journey is to baby my nape to get it healthy and eventually the same length as the rest of my hair.  I wasn't too excited to post this pic, but this is my journey and I wanted to share everything...even the not so pretty.  :(  When I get to my goal I'm sure I'll be glad that I posted this pic just to remember where I started and feel good about my ultimate progress.


Current condition of my nape

Smooth edges by tying with silk scarf

The last stylist I was seeing would always point out my hair getting thinner and breaking back there.  She would always tell me that my hair looked better and thicker short, pretty much encouraging me to cut it.  She knew that my goal was long hair, but she just kept giving me excuse afte excuse instead of helping me get the length I wanted.  "You're getting older and your hair is changing so it won't grow like it used to" or "Your nape won't grow because the texture is different than the rest of your hair" (I won't tell you what she compared it to...OMG!)  I would get it cut in a bob or some short style and eventually the damage and thinness of my hair would become noticeable again.  Finally one day while waiting for her to call me to the chair, I was flipping through a hair magazine and saw a photo of Terri Vaughn featuring a really cute short cut that was shaved/tapered in the back.  I had never liked having scissors anywhere near my hair even for a trim but imagine her taking some electric clippers to my head! Yikes!  But I was ready.  I thought maybe I just need to start fresh. So I did it. I freaked out, but I did it! Lol!  The shortest cut I had ever had. I kept some length in the front, but my hair in the back was "gone".  I never did get any good pics of the back.

Hair cut in Spring 2011

I didn't care to maintain the style afterward.  I just wanted my hair to grow back which was always my ultimate goal; and it was growing. But when I really started to get some length again, so came the thinning and breakage in the same area.  I was that person that never questioned the stylist; the licensed professional.  But sometimes having a license doesn't mean much if they don't practice the right techniques. It wasn't until starting my HHJ and doing some research that I came across some of the many causes of damage to the nape including mistakes of the stylist. 

Causes of Nape Damage
1.  Scarfs, jackets, or other clothing rubbing the hair and causing friction and thus breakage. I've always been a cold natured person so I wear jackets and sweaters a lot especially at work.
2.  Overprocessing when relaxing. Many people apply the relaxer to this area first because they think that it is the most resistant.  The result is overprocessed, dry, crunchy hair which equals breakage.
3.  Poorly neutralizing the nape after relaxer.  The stylist may not rinse that area as thoroughly since it is not visible.
4.  Not wiping down the neck area of the sink after rinsing and neutralizing.  The stylist may have rinsed off the relaxer back there, but if she hasn't wiped down the bowl very well and places your head right back on the bowl, you just got more relaxer on your hair which again causes over processing and damage. I'm pretty short and have a hard time getting my head all the way back into the bowl, so my nape is sitting where my neck should be a lot of the time. I think this was my major cause of nape damage.

silky hair wrap scarf

Recovery

1.  Try to prevent your hair rubbing against your clothing.  Lately I've been using a long hair wrap scarf that I purchased at walmart to tie around my neck.  Rather have my hair rubbing against a satin scarf than a cotton scarf, sweater, jacket, etc. Not to mention they're pretty stylish. :)

2.  When relaxing, apply relaxer to this area last to avoid overprocessing.

3.  If you go to a stylist for your relaxers, speak up and ask him/her to make sure the hair is thoroughly rinsed and neutralized back there.  Maybe spend a little extra time rinsing that area.

4.  Ask your stylist to make sure the bowl is wiped thoroughly before setting your head back down after rinsing.
5. Make sure to moisturize this part of the hair as often as possible.  This section will need extra care and attention.
6.  Apply castor oil to the hair and scalp.  Castor oil is known to nourish hair and stimulate hair growth.

I am now a self relaxer and have incorporated all of the above Recovery techniques into my regimen.  I am making good progress so far, and though it seems to be slow(ya'll know I'm just impatient...lol) I am sure I will see continued progress.

Is anyone else having nape issues?  What things have you found to have caused the problem and what techniques have you used to fix your issue?  Did this work for you?

Please share and thanks for reading!

Andrea

Update 12/2/15
Please see this post here for an update on my nape progress as of December 2014.

Checking In - Random

Where have I been?  I haven't done a post in a few weeks it seems.  Just been a little busy and stressed, but back to it I go.  I have to update everything I've doing since, if I can even remember. 

Relaxer Touch Up
Well, I ended up doing a relaxer at a little past 6 weeks post (Jan 16, 2013). I know its soon but since my previously relaxed hair is not completely processed I shouldnt need to worry about any damage.  I used the half and half method as in my previous posts.  I just couldnt hold on any longer.  I have not got this relaxer stretching thing down and especially since I'm using a mild relaxer it seems like my hair does not stay straight for very long.  I want the benefits of texlaxing (thicker, stronger hair) but at the same time I want straight, smooth hair without having to use direct heat.  I usually like to just wash, wrap, and go.  But with my roots still having some texture to it, my wraps are not working out too well.  I guess what I want is juuuust barely texlaxed.  I may not be getting that down yet.  Since I'm using a mild lye relaxer I think I may switch to a regular strenght lye relaxer to see how that works for me.  I am eyeing the Organic Root Stimulator Lye Relaxer in regular strenght, but i think I will finish off my Elasta QP first.  Also, I'm going to try to make more time to start practing my rollersets.  No length check.  Think I'm going to wait until March for that. Oh I also wanted to mention an article I read  about switching between mild and stronger relaxers,  I need to try finding it again,  It might be a good option for someone like me who can't handle the long stretch between relaxers.  The longest I've done is 8 wks.  I may have more to come on this.

Wash/Co-Wash
I have also had a couple wash days and a cowash day in between.  Actually, I cowashed a couple days after my relaxer, wrapped my hair, and flat ironed my roots the next morning because I had planned to get a trim at Super Cuts.  My friend told me she didn't think I needed it.  My hair and ends did feel really smooth so I ended up not getting the trim.

Moisture/Protein
I don't know if I'm just crazy, but I think I'm starting to notice less breakage. Most of the hairs from my head have been shed.  I have been checking for bulbs like crazy, trust me!  I truly am hair obsessed. LOL! I must be getting my moisture/protein balance down.  I try to incorporate light protein treatments and ceramides into my regimen and occassionally I'll do a medium protein treatment using ORS Hair Moyannaise.  Been sealing a lot with grapeseed oil (which contains ceramides) and a new oil I got from a friend called It's A 10 Miracle Oil plus Keratin.  He works in the warehouse where they manufacture hair products and he sometimes gets freebees! I've gotten a few goodies from him! :)  Will have to start doing some reviews.  I'm hoping having completely texlaxed hair will add to this reduction in breakage.  My nape seems to be getting in better shape as well.  I want to wait a while before posting pics of my nape.  It is growing I can say that much.

Currently Reading
Jeni at justgrowalready.com did a give away of the The Five Hair Archetypes by Sharifa Barnett (aka Ms. Kibibi).  I had entered, but could even wait and went ahead and purchased the eReader copy on my Nook. Can't wait to finish.

Wish List
Been doing some research with the hopes of purchasing a hirer end ceramic flat iron.  I've also been thinking about investing in a wig or getting a weave.  Ever since I was little, silly me, I always thought people wore wigs and weaves to hide their short hair.  I didnt want to be a "perpetrator" I wanted my real hair to be long so I could show it off.  Now I realize that a big benefit of wigs/weaves is to protect your hair (depending on the type of weave you get).  This is an excellent option for the cold winter months.  I also want a really good quality hair dryer for when I start doing my rollersetes.

Other Things
I have recently become a member of the Long Hair Care Forum.  I am new at it and still trying to figure out my way around.  My username is Andrea2012 if anyone's a member and might want to add me.

More Randomness
We got snow this morning!  I live in Tennessee and this is the first snow I've seen all winter here! :)
It has atopped now and is already starting to melt a little. Ah well....

Does anyone have any new and exciting revelations about their HHJ? Please share! :)

Thanks for reading,
Andrea

So I Have Noticed

1.  That coconut oil has been making my hair feel so soft and smooth (but my hair does look thinner when it is oily as you can see from some of my picks; the strands stick together); remembering that it's good for me

2.  My most recently relaxed hair is straighter but does appear to have some texture.  Texlaxed maybe...I think so. Which means stronger thicker hair for me.  I cant wait for it to grow out.  I think this is the perfect amount of texture for my hair.

3.  My wrap comes out a LOT smoother when I sit under the hair dryer.  If I let it air dry, it is not as smooth (even though it's been tied down).

4.  I think my nape and front edges are getting longer.  I want to give it some time before I take anymore picks.  I try to keep moisurizing and sealing every night especially my nape and front edges of my hair.  Sometimes I'll just find myself grabbing my Darcy's Transition Creme and rubbing it in whenever throughout the day.  This is a REALLY BIG goal of mine.  To get my nape in tip top shape.  I was told it would not grow and aim to prove this wrong.


Just a few tidbits of info that I thought I'd jot down.  Still learning my hair and its wants and needs.  I feel like there's more to add, but can't think at the moment.


On a side note....I did a cowash last night.  I guess it's a cowash since I used the Wen cleansing conditioner.  Purchased it for my mom to try out, but she didnt like it too much.  I guess its okay.  I followed the directions and then applied my leave-ins, wrapped and air-dried overnight.  My hair was full but not as smooth as if I'd sat under the dryer.  It wasn't bad but it wasn't great.  I'll have to try it another time.   Alrighty I think I'll hit the pillow.

Thanks for reading,

Andrea