Twists too often=poor ends overtime?

[FtrDrO]

Since becoming natural almost 3 years ago, twists have been my go to style. Yet, I've always seemed to have a bit of a struggle with my ends despite what I do. I've been wondering if twists too often may be a cause of the struggles with my ends so I figured I'd through the theory out there to see if anyone else may have noticed such. When I wear my twists, it is usually for about 3-4 weeks in medium to small twists, washing them from weekly to biweekly.

Thoughts on this theory?

 

[NaijaNaps]

What exactly is the issue you're having with your ends? Knots, splits, general dryness?

I ask because my issue with twists sometimes are with knots. Now I'm being diligent with putting shea butter (or some other heavy sealant) on them and smoothing down/twirling the ends of the twists to keep them from curling back up on themselves, and this is working. A lot less knots.

 

[hair4romheaven]

I think it weakens ends. No science behind it just going off my hair. I've been doing twist since july and I dont see a positive chane in retention or my ends.
Again what works for one may not work for all.

 

[FtrDrO]

My issue is mainly with splits (mainly midstrand splits with some regular splits and fraying). I used to have a big problem with knots but while I do still get them, I don't get as many anymore. Overall, the ends just don't look or feel the best, I think. They seem to get weaker.

 

[southerncitygirl]

i do weekly twists for twist outs and haven't had any issues.....i only dust about every 6 months and am retaining length fine. i think as stated above that heavy sealing of your ends will resolve this.

 

[FtrDrO]

That's the thing. Moisture isn't a problem. It's always soft and very moisturized and I always focus on the ends. So I feel that there's more to it. It could just be the nature of my hair though.

 

[NaijaNaps]

How often do you moisturize/seal and dust or trim?

I use to suffer from mid-strand splits as well and this was because I wasn't moisturizing enough. I definitely wasn't sealing back then either.

 

[FtrDrO]

I think it weakens ends. No science behind it just going off my hair. I've been doing twist since july and I dont see a positive chane in retention or my ends.
Again what works for one may not work for all.

hair4romheaven what were you doing to your hair before when you saw a positive change? Have you stopped doing twists or did you make any changes that helped?

How often do you moisturize/seal and dust or trim?

I use to suffer from mid-strand splits as well and this was because I wasn't moisturizing enough. I definitely wasn't sealing back then either.

NaijaNaps Now, I moisturize at least every other day and seal with my oil blend. My hair stays moist for days now. Moisture isn't a struggle of mine anymore, thankfully. As far as trims, I don't have an official schedule but if I had to estimate, maybe every 3 months with several dustings in between because I'm always discovering splits that drive me crazy.

 

[hair4romheaven]

Full weaves. I just decided yesturday this was my last set of twist. I will now do cornrows under a wig til Dec. To see what happens.

ETA I did dust twice since july.

 

[faithVA]

If you were talking about just your ends then I could see that but you are talking about mid-strand splits. And I can't think of why twisting would cause mid-strand splits. And if you feel that your hair is moisturized and not dry not sure why twists would cause an issue with your ends.

You may have to try another style to rule them out but I just have a feeling there is another cause of your mid-strand splits. Twists tend to lean more towards dry ends and SSKs.

Are you doing your twists on wet or stretched hair. And if stretched what are you using to stretch your hair?

I've never had a midstrand split so don't have any recommendations.

 

[FtrDrO]

If you were talking about just your ends then I could see that but you are talking about mid-strand splits. And I can't think of why twisting would cause mid-strand splits. And if you feel that your hair is moisturized and not dry not sure why twists would cause an issue with your ends.

You may have to try another style to rule them out but I just have a feeling there is another cause of your mid-strand splits. Twists tend to lean more towards dry ends and SSKs.

Are you doing your twists on wet or stretched hair. And if stretched what are you using to stretch your hair?

I've never had a midstrand split so don't have any recommendations.

faithVA The midstrand splits are usually more towards the end of my hair; not in the middle of the my hair, as the term may sound. Pretty much a series of bubble splits, if that makes sense. They always resurface no matter how much I trim. Then I get knots around them.
Here's a pic:

I twist on clean dry hair that has been moisturized, sealed, and stretched in big twists or braids. This is something that has helped with minimizing knots.

 

[Nonie]

My issue is mainly with splits (mainly midstrand splits with some regular splits and fraying). I used to have a big problem with knots but while I do still get them, I don't get as many anymore. Overall, the ends just don't look or feel the best, I think. They seem to get weaker.

Now, I moisturize at least every other day and seal with my oil blend. My hair stays moist for days now. Moisture isn't a struggle of mine anymore, thankfully. As far as trims, I don't have an official schedule but if I had to estimate, maybe every 3 months with several dustings in between because I'm always discovering splits that drive me crazy.

@FtrDrO, your twists regimen seems fine, except that I think you could improve on your dusting schedule. The fact that you trim every 3 months and still see splits in btw is a sign that every 3 months is waiting a little too long. If you were dusting in good time, you'd never see splits. You'd be getting to your strands before the splits became visible. Another reason you might be seeing splits in btw your trims is that you probably never got rid of the splits entirely during the trim so they continue to wreck havoc on your hair.

I wear twist 24/7 and I've been wearing them since August last year, wash twice a week, dust every 8 weeks. My ends are fine and strands do not taper toward the ends as they would if I were not dusting. And this is with me not using any products to seal (which means, I am not being as good to my ends as I could be).

Here is what my ends look like:

And even my twists don't taper to a thin end which would be a sign of splits having come and gone or strands breaking:

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA The midstrand splits are usually more towards the end of my hair; not in the middle of the my hair, as the term may sound. Pretty much a series of bubble splits, if that makes sense. They always resurface no matter how much I trim. Then I get knots around them.
Here's a pic:


I twist on clean dry hair that has been moisturized, sealed, and stretched in big twists or braids. This is something that has helped with minimizing knots.

I am interested in hearing if anyone else has had this experience. I have only noticed a few people speak of mid-strand splits, so not familiar with the cause.

I personally haven't had this issue, so I will just watch and learn from this thread.

 

[Nonie]

I am interested in hearing if anyone else has had this experience. I have only noticed a few people speak of mid-strand splits, so not familiar with the cause.

I personally haven't had this issue, so I will just watch and learn from this thread.

faithVA, I have always suspected that midstrand splits are caused by bubble hair (using heat on hair and moisture inside strands expanding to cause bubbles--which is why I don't DC with heat since I just don't see how moisture in hair can determine what sort of heat is being applied. If it gets hot enough to turn to vapor, it will cause bubble hair). I also think brushes will rip at cuticles and tear them off causing holes in the strand, which is why I've never understood why people feel so comfy using brushes to detangle. I don't know if OP does any of these but they are two things I've considered to be a cause for this.

 

[FtrDrO]

@FtrDrO, your twists regimen seems fine, except that I think you could improve on your dusting schedule. The fact that you trim every 3 months and still see splits in btw is a sign that every 3 months is waiting a little too long. If you were dusting in good time, you'd never see splits. You'd be getting to your strands before the splits became visible. Another reason you might be seeing splits in btw your trims is that you probably never got rid of the splits entirely during the trim so they continue to wreck havoc on your hair.

I wear twist 24/7 and I've been wearing them since August last year, wash twice a week, dust every 8 weeks. My ends are fine and strands do not taper toward the ends as they would if I were not dusting. And this is with me not using any products to seal (which means, I am not being as good to my ends as I could be).

Here is what my ends look like:

And even my twists don't taper to a thin end which would be a sign of splits having come and gone or strands breaking:

Thanks for mentioning a change in the trimming schedule. This is something that I've considered doing as well; possibly dusting 1/4 inch every 2 months just to minimize. But I honestly feel that I'm always cutting my hair. My retention this year has been poor because I'm always cutting several inches at once. If I don't notice a change, then I might have to lay off of twisting for awhile and try something else as faithVA mentioned, just to see if I notice a difference.

faithVA, I have always suspected that midstrand splits are caused by bubble hair (using heat on hair and moisture inside strands expanding to cause bubbles--which is why I don't DC with heat since I just don't see how moisture in hair can determine what sort of heat is being applied. If it gets hot enough to turn to vapor, it will cause bubble hair). I also think brushes will rip at cuticles and tear them off causing holes in the strand, which is why I've never understood why people feel so comfy using brushes to detangle. I don't know if OP does any of these but they are two things I've considered to be a cause for this.

I don't do any of these things and my hair still gets these splits. Hence why I return to the one constant: twisting. I'll just have to do a test and see. I did a roller set & silk wrap on my hair for the first time yesterday with pretty good results so I may try doing that for a little while and comparing.

 

[Nubenap22]

very good ideas ladies and Nonie....your always a blessing

 

[NaijaNaps]

Nonie and faithVA

I used to get mid-strand splits a lot and never applied any heat to my hair - even when DC'ing. I think (can't really know for sure) that mine were caused by a combination of excessive dryness and lack of protein. Since I've upped my moisturizing and been using light protein conditioners exclusively, I haven't experienced them anymore. Some naturals say they don't need protein but I find that my hair does better with it.

FtrDrO do you use products with protein? Since you say moisture isn't the issue perhaps it's the other side of the equation? I also think dusting more, as Nonie suggests, would help as well.

 

[FtrDrO]

Nonie and faithVA

I used to get mid-strand splits a lot and never applied any heat to my hair - even when DC'ing. I think (can't really know for sure) that mine were caused by a combination of excessive dryness and lack of protein. Since I've upped my moisturizing and been using light protein conditioners exclusively, I haven't experienced them anymore. Some naturals say they don't need protein but I find that my hair does better with it.

FtrDrO do you use products with protein? Since you say moisture isn't the issue perhaps it's the other side of the equation? I also think dusting more, as Nonie suggests, would help as well.

NaijaNaps I also started suspecting the protein thing as well and very recently (last two weeks) made the decision to incorporate weekly protein into my regimen. I guess I'll see if that makes a difference overtime. I'm going to be doing another trim in about 2 weeks and then I'll have a new slate to monitor from again. It's comforting to know that they protein helped you though. Thanks for your input (fellow Naija sister :wink2


And thanks to Nonie, FaithVA, and everyone else for your input!

 

[NaijaNaps]

 

[lushcoils]

Another naija sister chiming in, ... yes, yes, regular dusting, protein, heavy sealing, dcing, and low manipulation/protective styling are essential.

 

[faithVA]

@faithVA, I have always suspected that midstrand splits are caused by bubble hair (using heat on hair and moisture inside strands expanding to cause bubbles--which is why I don't DC with heat since I just don't see how moisture in hair can determine what sort of heat is being applied. If it gets hot enough to turn to vapor, it will cause bubble hair). I also think brushes will rip at cuticles and tear them off causing holes in the strand, which is why I've never understood why people feel so comfy using brushes to detangle. I don't know if OP does any of these but they are two things I've considered to be a cause for this.

Nonie, I have heard you mention that before. But since I had never seen a mid-strand split until I came on this board and I've never had them myself, I decided to shut my mouth.

But I actualy do both of the things you mention as causes. I DC with heat and I use my tangle teezer And I did both of these when I was relaxed as well. Obviously not using a tangle teezer but I used a brush daily. I'm aware of the possible issues I will just keep my eyes open.

 

[Nonie]

It's like that Naija wimens huh? I'ma represent ma peeps too den!

OK, back to the topic: OP, I think the reason you keep needing to cut is your splits might be so far gone that you never quite get rid of the splits. At the risk of boring everyone to death, I'ma use this image again:

If you go too long w/o dusting, your splits tear off and travel up the strands. So if you do a dusting or trim at C, you leave a lot of damaged ends. If you do it at A, you remove most of them but notice, there is still damage to the left of like A, meaning you would need a huge cut to get rid of it all to get a full strand.

Below is a magnified image of my hair showing an end that looks fine at first glance but that tapered end is due to a split that tore off. Because I dust often, I am able to dismiss the entire damaged end w/o really sacrificing length. Also notice how little a trim I need to do coz I do it early. Had I waited longer, I'd have to cut off more...and also from the previous image, you can see that damage isn't always so obvious...but even if it's just the cuticle stripped off, that's damage that will cause you to see holes.

Oh another thing @FtrDrO, do you use seamless combs? Seams on combs can tear at your strands. You said you don't use heat. What about brushes, like for detangling?

 

[FtrDrO]

Nonie LOL You can rep Kenya. It's all African love I rarely use brushes though I'll use the Tangle Teezer sometimes. But it's not that because I've had mid-strand splits way before that. I don't think my combs are seamless so maybe I'll try to get one. Combing is another thing my hair doesn't seem to like too much either. It coils around the teeth often. Finger detangling is the most beneficial. My hair demands lots of very tender love and affection lol. I think the splits may be something that my hair is susceptible to so I'm thinking that the increased protein may be one step towards minimizing them. My sister, who has locs, also has mid strand splits.

 

[Nonie]

@FtrDrO, if you have fine strands, then that's the bane of our existence: they will split and break if you just look at them. Low mani, seamless combs, dusting, reconstructors are necessary for us. I know you do low mani, but maybe you need to go waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay low. Like me. I haven't undone my entire head in over a year. I'm living as if I have locs. I redo one twist at a time.

 

[SimJam]

Im stalking this thread, anything to fidure out my ends. Though sealing cuticles (with AVJ) along with heavy sealing has done wonders for my ends wheich were breaking something terrible.

Im always in some sort of twists and I love them so I rather find a way to live with them peacefully.

 

[silenttullip]

I started getting mid ssks from twists 2 years after wearing them. My issue was take down. I could never take them down from the top and when I tried I'd have knots. So I began to do medium sized braids mid last year until now. No splits and I do trims or dusting every 2-3months. I tried about a week ago to twist again and started with the knots even after removing the twists starting from the ends. I think we all have certain styles that are healthy for our hair. Twists are not my friend

 

[Lila25]

I found that my hair would tangle if I did twists, so I tried braiding instead and my ends don't tangle anymore, period. I love twists, but I don't wear them often because of tangling. Braiding my hair also keeps my hair stretched which also cuts out tangles.

 

[**SaSSy**]

When doing twist it's important to twist all the way down the ends, and add extra butter or oil to seal the ends off. I have ssk, but they haven't hamper my retention or progress. They are just annoying, I have learned to just deal with them.

 

[FtrDrO]

I started getting mid ssks from twists 2 years after wearing them. My issue was take down. I could never take them down from the top and when I tried I'd have knots. So I began to do medium sized braids mid last year until now. No splits and I do trims or dusting every 2-3months. I tried about a week ago to twist again and started with the knots even after removing the twists starting from the ends. I think we all have certain styles that are healthy for our hair. Twists are not my friend

I found that my hair would tangle if I did twists, so I tried braiding instead and my ends don't tangle anymore, period. I love twists, but I don't wear them often because of tangling. Braiding my hair also keeps my hair stretched which also cuts out tangles.

Thanks silenttullip Lila25 It's good to hear that you have gotten some relief by switching to braids. I'm going to try doing this as an alternative (even though it sucks because braids take longer to do ). But I'd rather take the actual time to do that rather than continue dealing with this nonsense.

 

[Tamster]

i have/had lots of mid strand splits. I thought it was from blow drying a couple times... but im not sure. i just let it be, cause i sure as hell am not going to cut all my hair off again lol.

i also have splits that i am slowly trimming away.... *sigh* never thought it could be from my twists but idk. i usually wear 'out' and thought it was from that.