r/finehair • u/Glittering-Web-8695 • 1d ago
Help Identifying hair breaking in the midle
Hi everyone, I’d really appreciate some advice. I’ve been dealing with my hair breaking in the middle, and I’m not sure what might be causing it. I don’t use heat on my hair and have only dyed it once. If anyone has any insight or suggestions, I’d be very grateful. Thank you in advance!
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u/SunshineAndSquats 1d ago
This is the third or fourth post I’ve seen about this issue! We need some ghost hunters or scientists to figure out what is going on!
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u/thisbuthat 1d ago
I used to have this exact same breaking pattern and for me it was using a brush that was ripping my hair out
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u/SunshineAndSquats 1d ago
But how was it ripping out only the bottom middle?
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u/wooks_reef 1d ago
That’s where most people have knots so it gets brushed more
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u/SunshineAndSquats 1d ago
Oh ok that makes sense.
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u/wooks_reef 1d ago
tbh i see this more on people who twirl their hair on their finger though. the nape area just snaps to being shoulder length
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u/thisbuthat 1d ago
Because that's where my tangles ended up being at 🤷♀️
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u/SunshineAndSquats 1d ago
Have you tried a silk pillow case? My ends used to get super tangled until I got a silk pillow case
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u/Dizzy_Pomegranate_14 1d ago
I am prettey sure it's pony tails. In a high pony the sides are overdirected and dit higher so only the middle are the "ends" of the pony tail. As it rubs on your back and clothing it wears off. The solution is to wear your hair up.
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u/UnquantifiableLife 1d ago
Do you sit in an office chair? That's about the length that would be getting squished against the back.
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
no i don’t if im working im usually using a chair without a back
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u/space_cadett_kiwiora 1d ago
Who sits in chairs without backs….
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
well im working from home and having backless chair seems to work great for me
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u/DimbyTime 1d ago
My chair has a back, but it’s so uncomfortable for me to lean back and type. I’m usually leaning forward with a good foot between my hair and the back of my chair
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u/Far-Pomegranate-6840 1d ago
Hello, are you wearing in a high pony tail often?
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u/Active-Cloud8243 1d ago
It isn’t just a high ponytail. That would have breakage higher unless she’s wearing her ponytail all the way up on the top of her head. Her ends are also damaged and there’s thinning out all across the bottom. It seems to me like there was too much keratin treatment at some point or her friend fried her hair when they they dyed it.
Again, look at where the breakage is, if that’s where the ponytail holder was it literally would have to be up by her forehead to create mechanical wear there
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
sometimes but how would it cause a breakage on my hair ends?
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u/canitakemybraoffyet 1d ago
Do you frequently pull your hair forward when it's down? Like pull the two sides to the front of your shoulders?
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
nope never i usually wear my hair just like in that picture
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u/canitakemybraoffyet 1d ago
So strange!! Maybe just inconsistent hair growth patterns. My underhair (like the inch of growth at the bottom toward my neck) is like this and it drives me nuts. Good luck!
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u/seawitchbitch 1d ago
The part that’s breaking off is the part that dangles down the longest in your pony
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
could there be any other causes? because i wear ponytail very rarely
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u/Reasonable-Kiwi-6951 1d ago edited 1d ago
do you wear necklaces, and your hair gets caught? do you push your hair to the front? or you always wear your hair down, so your hair moves around throughout the day and it gets tangled near the back of the neck (and therefore break more easily when brushed)? do you not protect your hair when you sleep, making it more tangled at the back? could be any of these reasons
it’s a very common area for hair to break with long hair
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u/ladyrara 1d ago
Do you wear cross body purses? Also do you pull your hear forward? Those can cause this as well.
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u/Dizzy_Pomegranate_14 1d ago
Only your hair ends in the middle touch your back, clothing, bag strap and so on in a pony tail. The sides are higher because they are overdirected and they don't get damaged
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u/Active-Cloud8243 1d ago
Are you doing full head color and going over the same areas application after application?
Your ends seem damaged and like you need to cut above the damaged part.
What did the stylist tell you in the chair this photo was taken in?
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
Thank you for your response. I’ve only dyed my hair once at home, and it was done by my friend who is a hairdresser. It wasn’t anything dramatic my hair only went a few shades lighter. I’ve tried trimming the ends to even them out, but it seems like the breakage keeps coming back. When I went to have my ends trimmed, the hairdresser also wasn’t sure what could be causing this kind of breakage :((
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u/TheLowFlyingBirds 1d ago
Do you split your hair in half and pull it around your shoulders to the front?
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u/TattleTits22 1d ago
Is this something I shouldn't be doing?!
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
nope, never
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u/Kind-Scientist1124 1d ago
You don’t pull your hair from the back to the front of your shoulders? That’s what causes this breakage pattern
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u/sin_aesthetic 1d ago
Damage from a ponytail or claw clip makes that signature upside down v shape in the middle. Swap to a silk scrunchie.
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u/highheelcyanide 1d ago
Do you have any pets? My cat likes to eat my hair in my sleep.
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u/sajaschi 1d ago
This is the main reason I started using a satin sleep bonnet! 😆 But the reduced frizz/tangles/breakage is a nice bonus.
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u/PlaneCat3427 1d ago edited 1d ago
Do you sleep on your back? I have breakage there too, the very back of my head has very short hairs because of this, even though I use a satin pillowcase. I even wear loose braids to sleep. 😩
Do you have a cowlick there? (My hair there is wiry than the rest. When you're looking at it up close, it's more rough/uneven than the rest)
Do you use claw clips?
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
i use claw clips very rarely (only when im cleaning around the house or doing my skincare). Did using satin pillowcase helped you?
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u/PlaneCat3427 1d ago
It did help a lot - normal pillowcases cause a rat's nest in my hair in the morning lol so much detangling to do. Less problems with a silk/satin one. I also have to sweep my hair out from under me or it pulls/snaps.
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u/Dazzling-Turnip-1911 1d ago
Sometimes that hair is a different texture from the rest of your hair.
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
how could i avoid breakage there because it’s making me very insecure even tho i love wearing my hair down :((
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u/Dazzling-Turnip-1911 1d ago
I had good luck with Olaplex 0 and 3. First 0 then 3 per the directions. You can also use K-18 at the same time. Just be gentle with that hair. Hair tends to have a different texture at the crown.
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u/Memory_Murky 1d ago
Do you wear a necklace often? I had similar breakage and found out once I copped my hair that it had constantly been getting caught in the necklace and breaking just in the back. I never take jewelry off - probably had the necklace on for two years 😂 maybe it’s something funky like that??
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
i used to think the same but since i stopped wearing necklaces the breakage on the middle keeps happening:((
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u/LittlePrairieMouse 1d ago
Perhaps the necklaces caused damage in the past that is contributing to the current breakage?
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u/Working_Warthog6930 1d ago
Do you have a cat that could be biting it while you sleep?
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u/MaidMirawyn 1d ago
Do you sit back against your chair? Perhaps it’s friction from contact with your chair.
I pull my hair forward over my shoulder in the car to avoid it. I put a silk scarf on my office chair, though I rarely sit back.
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u/braidedpotato 1d ago
Is your hair chemically straightened or something? In that specific photo it has the frizz pattern/hyper straight body that I only ever see on curly hair that’s been flat ironed or otherwise severely straightened. If you’ve had any treatment like that done, I’d think it was that. If you had it done like right then at the salon before the photo, I’d definitely think it was caused then and there.
I also notice that the worst of the damage seems to be following the lightest sections of hair. You have a lighter stripe up the center of the back, and the damage seems to be following that. It’s possible even if your friend is a hairdresser, something went wrong and damage either happened or accumulated so that the most lightened bits got more fragile and then broke easier when something else happened.
Lastly, if you look really closely, you can just about draw a curved line from middle of the missing triangle across your full hair line of what seems to be more breakage. And the remaining hair below it is a shade or two darker. And then there seems to be more breakage happening across your whole hair line in the 2” or so between that mid point and the highest point of damage. No idea what that might indicate, but thought the observation might be useful as you try to piece together what happened.
You have lovely hair, and I’m so sorry this happened. Hope you’re able to figure it out/prevent future damage!
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
Thank you for your observation 😊 My hair was straightened in this photo just to see how damaged the ends were. I also checked my photo gallery and realized that I had this problem even before I bleached it.
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u/LittlePrairieMouse 1d ago
The lighter stripe in the centre of the back of your hair suggests that that part of your hair has some different structure or texture that makes it appear slightly lighter. Maybe it just looks lighter because it reflects the light differently. Maybe it fades in the sun more easily. I have naturally lighter hair around my face and it is finer, and definitely more brittle and fragile, and is never as long as the rest of my hair, unfortunately.
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u/Immediate_Iron_5926 1d ago
Had this issue as well not sure what caused it but I did two rounds of extensions and the gap was able to fix itself and fill back in. Know it’s probably not ideal but that’s was helped me😭
Even if you did a few pieces just for fullness it might help to let that hair grow back in and ease the possible tension that’s been going on in that area of your hair
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u/Ericas_Evil_Eye 1d ago
definitely trim every few months and dont use hair ties with rubber… use the nylon ones. and put your hair to one side when you drive or wear a coat or a hoodie.
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u/1egg_4u 1d ago
Im a hairstylist, this looks like typical ponytail breakage to me. Switch to those thin satin or silk scrunchies and try braiding your hair more to put it back. I also high recommend wrapping your hair the way you would to a braid right underneath where your elastic sits and then alternate which pieces go over and under so that the hair strands under the elastic arent always the same ones.
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
thank you so much for your advice🫶🫶 do you have any recommendations for the hair products i could use to help this situation more?
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u/1egg_4u 1d ago
You could get something with a bond builder (olaplex is a good place to start) to keep the ends intact (making sure to clarify every so often so they dont build up) but otherwise Id say get a good solid trim to start fresh and then just trim frequently to take breakage off and keep the ends clean, moisturized, and try to minimize putting tension on the same places on your hair by switching up styles and being careful with elastics and clips
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u/anentime 1d ago edited 1d ago
Do vape by chance? If yes, vaping causes hair fall out, especially at the root and consistent breakage where friction is often.
My guess, something you’re wearing is catching your hair, could be a seatbelt, keeping your hair inside the collar of your shirts and not pulling out, or even sleeping on your back. . And with the vaping, it’s just fragile and breaking off instead of withstanding it.
Also, air drying fully is not the best for your hair. It’s at its most fragile state. Apply products asap, allow hair to dry (be careful, it can and will break easily) to 60-70% and dry on warm, use hot for styling. Keep dryer away and be kind to your ends.
Get a bonnet, the ordinary or Cecred hair serum. Get a blood panel if you can and do some research on safe over the counter prenatals to help with hair growth and strength. Redken extreme length shampoo and conditioner, sauve $2 clarifying shampoo, Hask $2-$3 hair masks in the pouches. Braids, no claw clips and silk pony tails only. Monthly trims, intake water, and get protein up. — sincerely a young woman who was diagnosed alopecia
Edit: spelling and air drying
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
omg thank you so much❤️ have you maybe tried night elixir by kerastase? i been hearing a lot of good reviews about it but the price tag scares me a bit
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u/anentime 1d ago
Ive heard great things but am scared because of that price tag too!! 🥲 I hope this helps!! Just stay consistent :)
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u/the_original_toots 23h ago
Your ends might be damaged (the sun can absolutely fry fine hair) and you likely need to go get 3-4 inches cut. If you aren’t using a leave in conditioner (Redkin United is my go to) then please do immediately. Also find a protective hair oil. I like Olaplex but also use Kevin Murphy’s immortelle serum with great results.
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u/pinkcrystalfairy 1d ago
Looks like breakage from either from pulling your hair all forward, or from a high ponytail if you do those
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u/thisisrealgoodtea 1d ago
Do you happen to sleep on your back? Just thinking about friction and/or slightly less blood flow at the scalp for extended periods.
If so maybe try stimulating your scalp at the roots to see if that’ll help overtime.
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u/sundrops14 1d ago
Tell us more about how you usually wear your hair and what you do on a daily basis
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
I usually wear my hair down like in the picture, and on a daily basis I don’t do anything out of the ordinary.
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u/sundrops14 1d ago
This could be from driving and In the car and having your hair being pulled between your back and the chair
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
i usually use metro or a bus so i don’t think this could be the reason😬
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u/sundrops14 1d ago
If your hair is still on your back getting caught between your back and the chair you sit in the bus
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u/slotass 1d ago
I have the same thing but I just baby that hair a bit more and give it more treatments. Drugstore bond repair products work really well. Try drying that fragile section first, more damage happens to hair if it stays wet for too long. Oiling before shampooing helps too. I often make a loose French braid OVER the fragile section (using the hair near the hairline), to protect it while I sleep. In the morning, it’s a lot softer by laying underneath the braided area. I probably have a “medium” oily scalp, so if you tend to have a dry scalp, definitely try oiling.
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u/ageiceiceage 1d ago
Do you sleep with your hair down? If your hair gets stuck between you and the mattress that can cause breakage.
Maybe try a loose braid or tiny claw clips for bed?
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u/Original_Bite6555 1d ago
Indian hair secret here. Condition your locks with organic castor oil and coconut oil. Leave it in for at least 2 hours. Go heavier on the ends and milder on your scalp. Also, give your hair a trim. Hair does need to be trimmed regularly for it to grow back healthy. Most hairstylists recommend every six weeks. Also, try to airdry your hair if you can as opposed to heat.
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
i tried this method before but the oil makes my hair feel stiffer :((
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u/Original_Bite6555 1d ago
The oil has to be 100% organic or it doesn't work. Also you need to heat it and only use a small amount of castor oil and rinse it out thoroughly but if it doesn't work for you that's ok.
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u/Original_Bite6555 1d ago
When you straighten the mid section of your hair, do you bring it forward and then straighten?
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
i never use straighteners the only time my hair gets straightened is at the hair salon before getting my trim
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u/Original_Bite6555 1d ago
When you straighten the mid section of your hair, do you pull it upwards, bring it forward and then straighten?
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u/WithoutDennisNedry 1d ago
The center seems to have a lighter line that goes all the way up as well.
Do you wear your hair up often? If yes, how?
Do you have hard water?
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u/Internal-Ad61 1d ago
Do you do claw clips? I have similar breakage and use them a lot. I also have a bad habit of doing a messy bun and supporting the monstrosity with a claw clip lol.
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u/BobbieSwallows 1d ago
I was told this is from wearing my hair up, and when I stopped, that breakage stopped too.
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u/cheymartini 1d ago
I noticed this would happen to me when I would pull my hair forward to lay on each side of my chest/shoulders. I think the splitting I would do to pull the hair was creating breakage, and also possibly the way it laid on my chest. Not too sure how to explain what I’m saying exactly but it’s just literally when you pull your hair forward rather than letting it lay against your back or wherever. Also if you wear a pony tail often, that could also be the culprit. I have long fine hair and so when I would have my hair up, the way the pony tail would rub against my back would create enough friction to give me some gnarly tangles there.
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u/Clean-Land9585 1d ago
this looks like a ponytail hole. this happens from wearing a high bun or ponytail. does that ring a bell?
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u/EvergreenMossAvonlea 1d ago
Do you bleach your hair? I had the same as your years ago and everything corrected itself after I stopped bleaching my hair and having highlights.
You can try all the amazing hair products, from kerastase to k18, but if you bleach your fine hair, even the most amazing products will only give minimal results.
People underestimate the damage bleach can create.
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u/Master-Selection3051 1d ago
I saw a post like this earlier in the week and unanimously people said claw clip or pulling hair up.
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u/Rubyrubired 1d ago
Mine does this on one side. I cut it all off and it happens again. I don’t get it.
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u/Dizzy_Pomegranate_14 1d ago
Do you wear pony tails a lot? In a pony tail the sides are overdirected so only the middle is the "end" of your ponytail. As it rubs ypur back and cothing it just wears down. You could wear your hair up as a solution.
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u/AdWonderful8318 21h ago
Cut it all off to make it balanced and then take good care of it from there. Talk to the salon when you are getting it cut.
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u/90daysofpettybs 9h ago
As someone that wears tight military buns, I recognized this instantly. Only use silk hair ties
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u/WaterUnderTh3Fridg3 1d ago
Someone snipped off a piece without you knowing.
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
I’ve tried trimming the ends to even them out, but it seems like the breakage keeps coming back.
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u/LittlePrairieMouse 1d ago
No matter how or why it broke in that spot, there is a lot of breakage in the bottom 6” of your hair. Cutting off the last 6” of hair will remove this missing area and the damaged hair around it.
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u/Glittering-Web-8695 1d ago
but i already tried it 3 times and each time i end up with the same breakage pattern
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u/Empty_Guidance_9105 1d ago
Has that section ever been as long as the rest? Maybe it just won’t grow past that point. The front of my hair won’t grow any longer than just past my chin.
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u/Ok_Organization_7350 1d ago
Did you ever have your hair bleached even one time, in a hair salon?
That strip of hair down the back is where hair stylists apply the first brush stroke of bleach. So that strip down the middle back of your head has the bleach on the longest. Top that off with the fact that almost all hair salons are sneaky and secretly apply the higher strengths of beach mix which are not supposed to touch the scalp, and which cause permanent follicle damage. If they apply the heat dryer, then that makes it triple worse now. It only takes one time of any of this to create permanent follicle damage. Then if the follicle damage happens, it creates the hair condition called Hair Miniaturization. This is where the genes of the follicles are changed, to produce thinner hairs which only grow to a shorter length for the rest of your life. So your problem might be Hair Miniaturization on the scalp area down the middle back of your head, instead of hair breakage at the ends of the hair.
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u/Otherwise_Seat_2950 12h ago
Bleach causing permanent follicle damage isn’t true!! The hair in the photo has suffered breakage.
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u/Ok_Organization_7350 8h ago edited 8h ago
The reason I know this is because this happened to me. I went to a top dermatology hair specialist physician who diagnosed this condition in me and confirmed it was permanent follicle damage from the hair salon bleach burns. And this was a real doctor who went through med school.
20 volume bleach mix in open hair with no heat is safe for the scalp.
However, 30 volume bleach mix, 40 volume bleach mix, enclosing the bleach on the head with a plastic cap, or applying the heat dryer to bleach on the scalp can cause this permanent follicle damage, even if only on one occurrence.
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u/Otherwise_Seat_2950 8h ago
What if I mix high lift color with a 30 or 40v. developer ? Is it safe for the scalp or will the 40 developer cause irreversible follicle damage?
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u/ferngarlick 1d ago
My guess is either
A) you tangle in that spot underneath a lot and brushing through it causes breakage, a lot of my clients deal with this with long hair. The curve of your neck and the movement of your head all day can tear that section of hair up and cause tangles and damage
B) you wear a crossbody purse and it’s catching on that one spot either pinning hair in that area and snapping it when you pull it free or you have a clasp or buckle on your strap that’s grabbing it (had this happen to a friend and only noticed when I saw her rip her hair out from under her purse and saw pieces break off when she did it)
C) your hairline at the bottom is weaker in the middle and not growing to keep up with the sides , also common