Damaged Hair Structure

by Michèle Moreau
(California)

Hi - I'm 56. For the past 15 years my medium-textured, fairly straight-to-slightly-wavy hair, which has been predominantly gray for probably 20 years and has been thinning. That's bad enough, but around then it also became alarmingly brittle, to the point of breakage, especially near the scalp.

Some hairs have a coarse, extremely gnarled and bark-like appearance and feel. On those, but even on hairs that are still somewhat normal in appearance, there are noticeably weak spots where it feels like either the cuticle or the cortex is severely damaged.

The hair will feel fairly smooth and then there's an area about 1/2" long that feels very different: ridged and "dead." (I know all hair is dead.) The hair breaks off easily at these points, which are often right at scalp level, but sometimes grown out a few inches.

Another thing: I know the scales of the cuticle open toward the end of the hair. When I run the tip of my finger and my thumbnail down the length of the hair, it should be smooth, and any split ends should ordinarily open toward the end of the hair.

However, on some of these severely "abused" hairs the splits are open toward the root, not the end. I run my finger and thumbnail down the hair and my thumbnail catches on these "nicks," which are again often found at scalp level. I've never seen a microscopic image of hairs where the scales are open toward the root, so I don't know how this can possibly be, but it is.

I use Natural Instincts hair color for its low-peroxide and no-ammonia formulation. I try to color the roots only, but there is of course some overlap - probably an inch or two. I leave it in for 20 minutes to cover my now-all-over gray.

I use decent shampoos and conditioners, mostly OTC (Dove, Pantene, Biolage and Nexxus), and no other "hair products." I barely blow-dry my hair, and not even every time I wash it, which is every two-three days. I use ponytailers, the thin, covered kind, with no sharp edges which might damage hair near the roots.

Do you have any idea what's going on?

Thank you,

Michèle Moreau

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Gosh Michèle. That sounds horrible for you! My heart goes out to you. Thanks for the great detailed description about what's going on with your hair!

In all that you said, you didn't say anything about taking vitamins or your diet. It sounds like you may have a vitamin deficiency going on. I would immediately start on Super Biotin or other hair vitamins. Biotin is especially helpful though!

You might also try some deep conditioning treatments or hair masques. My favorite pick is hask placenta products. Its extremely cheap and works extremely well! You might also try using smoothing shampoos and smoothing conditioners to help lay down your hair cuticles when you wash your hair. Also, try using organic hair products, which are gentler on your hair.

I know that you're curious about your hair strands and their condition, but I would abstain from running your finger nails down your hair, just because they are so prone to breakage.

You might also try coconut oil and massaging it into your scalp. Massage will help bring more circulation/nutrition into the hair follicles. Hair cholesterol is also a good deep conditioning treatment and a good product to massage into your scalp as well. You'll need to start out with gentle massages though.

Try not to overlap your hair color also. There is no need for overlapping as much as you say you are. Hair color expands so again, there is no need.

I would also suggest staying away from wearing your hair in a ponytail, even though you are using the correct kind of ponytail tie. Use a boars hair brush when you do brush your hair. Brush dry hair and use a wide toothed comb on wet hair to avoid hair damage.

I have no idea why your hair cuticles are open the wrong way. If the problem persists after using these suggestions, I would see your doctor. He maybe able to pin point a reason for this condition.

Please view these pages to help you more with your damaged hair.

Hair Loss – What You Need to Know!

Essential Hair Vitamins You May Need

Damaged Hair – Fried, Dyed, Laid to The Side

Organic Hair Products – Rosemary, Lavender, and Thyme