I dare you to say the word mid-trichorrexis nodosa, five times super fast! Ok don’t do that, I am just being my usual silly self, I really do have something important to discuss about the term.
Mid-trichorrexis nodosa is the official term that is used to refer to mid shaft breakage. It is bad enough that we have to deal with split ends, but when you hair literally breaks in the middle of the shaft; well things may seem a bit hopeless then. “Daaum Daaum Daaum Gina!” in my Martin voice. Before diving into the world of mid shaft breakage it really helps to know what causes the typical split end.
Strands split due to simple wear and tear and some manipulation on our part. The ends of our hair strands are the oldest portions and therefore have been though the most in comparison to other areas of the strand.
Strand degeneration is very common because of environmental factors, so we tend to spend a lot of time repairing, and preventing issues by using protective styles and just being gentle with our hair. Other than being naturally older, strands can also split at the ends due to dryness, heat styling, and chemical use.
Mid shaft breakage and splits are caused pretty much from the same things that causes split ends except it happens further up the strands away from the ends and away from the roots. Doomed right? Not really, in Jamaica we like to say “prevention betta dan cure” so allow us to help you prevent as much as we can.
Heat Styling And Chemical Styling
Natural Hair
Heat is our number one ‘frenemy’, meaning if you know what you are doing it can work for you in your regimen, but if you make one or a couple wrong moves you can really do some serious damage to your hair.
Heat can break the bonds in your natural hair to the point of the strand losing its curl pattern permanently altering its structure. When the bonds break the hair strand appears straight, if the bonds are permanently broken then your hair will be permanently straight.
Mid shaft breakage caused from heat just means that your hair is so depleted of protein in that section that your hair literally splits, this can be close to the root, in the middle or close to the ends.
If you want to avoid breakage caused by wear and tear, use protein treatments to give the strand strength and heat protectant* every time you use heat to protect your hair.
We however like to suggest if you are experiencing mid shaft breakage, avoid heat all together until you get the problem fixed.
Dina Davis says
Hmm
Shelica Kennedy Jackson says
No. Or maybe not to my knowledge
Ivy Alondra Vera says
NO! thank God i have enough fairy knotts to keep me annoyed on top of mid shaft splits!
Shanta says
What to use on kids hair that will stop the breakage
Lisita StayFabulous Huntley says
Thanks…
Kyé Pettiford-Smith says
I didn’t even know that was possible
Chaundra Temple says
Is heat really one of the culprits? Or could it be heat damage caused by chemically treated hair or improper heat usage? For example, perms and hair color? I have to agree to disagree. Yes, heat is our “frenemy” if the hair is chemically altered; making the hair more susceptible to dryness and brittleness weakening the hair causing breakage. Our love affair with heat began over 100 years ago with the press. Back then our hair was strong, healthy and shiny. It wasn’t until the introduction of lye plus the mixture of heat the problems begin. To often in my opinion, heat gets a bad rap as being a stand alone culpri.
Mari Gee says
Yes. Hate it.
Patience Karpeh says
does anyone know what I can do to prevent breakage from the root especially around the front I haven’t pulled it and its still breaks
TiffyTiff Marie Smith says
No i havent on split ends
Marsha Buchanan says
Oh yes! I’ve had to avoid heat since I decided to grow out the damage and because I am not all the way there yet on doing a BC, I have resolved to doing some search and destroy as well as trying some split repair options to glue them shut. I also do more finger detangling and lay off the grooming tools a bit. My hair has retained length so as soon as I am comfortable with the length I can trim off the damaged ends. I have noticed my shrinkage has returned as well as I have more defined curls without product.
Karen says
Yes. I hate it. I kept thinking it was too much protein, then I thought my hair was over moisturized. The truth is I’m impatient and rip through my hair with a detangling comb. I’ll be planning my wash and styles ahead of time so I can take time to finger detangle my hair from now on. Thanks for the info.
Re Gina says
I rebuke them in the name of Jesus!
Toni Xing Wanliss says
hallelujer
Trese Hisoneandonly Jones-Simms says
How do i treat mid shaft splits?
Zola Tara says
once i noticed a midshaft split. i just cut it. i didb’t know what else to do
Patricia Roach says
The Study of Hair is much needed
LaKeda Bivins says
Yes.. Thanks for the info. I suffer from in the nape of my head. My curl pattern is much looser there compared to the rest of my 4c head. I think I have not been as careful as I should be when styling back there. Heat is my frenemy cause i don’t have color.
Karen J says
Yes. Like Karen(12) I’ve found that I need to be more gentle and take time with my hair when it comes to detangling. My hair is fine.
Sharol Allen says
I sure do 🙁
Renee Akperov says
Nope
Iris Brock says
I’ve had mid and upper shaft split ends and breakage. It was right around the time I realized my hair was very protein sensitive. I was using gels for wash & go’s and by the time I figured out what was wrong, the damage had been already been done and was irreversible. I had my husband shave me totally bald so I could start on a clean slate with no gels of any kind.