Buckshots is a slang word for the short, tightly coiled hair at the back of the neck. You may have heard it used as an insult, but the hair it describes is often just a natural part of your texture. In this article, we’ll explain what the word means, why that hair tends to get dry and tangled, and how to care for it.
What Are Buckshots?
Buckshots are the short, tightly coiled hairs at the nape of the neck, the same area many people call the kitchen. The dictionary definition of buckshot is small lead pellets, so the slang compares those tiny, tight coils to them. In everyday language, some people also use the word for nape hair that looks dry or uncared for.
Hair texture can differ from one part of your scalp to another, and many people find that the hair at the nape is shorter, drier, and quicker to tangle than the hair on top. That doesn’t automatically mean the hair is damaged. Tight coils at your nape can be completely normal, and conditioner or oil won’t change your natural curl pattern.
What care can do is make that hair softer, easier to detangle, and less likely to break off. That’s what the rest of this article is about.
Though the term “buckshots” carries negative connotations, not everyone intends to offend when they use it. Sometimes, it’s no more than a descriptor for a certain type of hair.
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Buck Shots, Beady Beads, and Kitchen Hair: Other Names You’ll Hear
You’ll see the word spelled as one word or two, so buckshots and buck shots mean the same thing. Some people also say beady beads for the same tiny coils. The broader area at the back of your neck is often called your kitchen, and that word is about where the hair grows, not how it looks.
What Causes Buckshot Hair Curls?
If you’re wondering why the hair at your nape gets so dry and tangled, this section is for you. Some of it is simply your natural texture, and some of it comes from what that hair goes through every day. Some of the most common reasons include:
Hormonal Changes
Changes in your hormones can change how your hair looks and feels. For example, an underactive thyroid can make your hair thin and brittle.
If the hair at your nape suddenly feels different and the change comes with other symptoms, like tiredness or weight changes, talk to a doctor.
Genetics
Your curl pattern is mostly set by your genes. In a study of more than 2,000 twins and siblings, genes explained more than half of the differences in how curly people’s hair was. The tightest coils, which some people now call 4D (a newer label that isn’t on the standard hair typing chart), tend to tangle the most.
Tightly coiled hair also forms knots more often. In one study, 10 to 16 percent of combed-out hairs from people of African descent had knots, compared with 0.15 percent from other groups. Every knot is a weak spot, which leaves those coils prone to breakage.
Damage to the Hair Shaft
Damage to the hair shaft can lead to many problems, including dry, broken hair at your nape. One of the most common types of damage is caused by styling tools like curling irons and flat irons.
These tools can heat the hair to temperatures of over 400 degrees Fahrenheit, which can cause the hair shaft to become brittle and break off. In addition, chemical treatments like relaxers and dyes make it more prone to splitting and breaking.
Everyday Friction
The hair at your nape takes a lot of wear. Hats and head scarves rub against it, and the American Academy of Dermatology notes that constant rubbing from a hair covering can even lead to hair loss, especially over hair that’s pulled back tightly. That hair is also easy to miss on wash day and at bedtime, so it often goes longer between detangling and conditioning than the rest of your head.
Not sure whether the hair at your nape needs anything at all? Find what you’re seeing in the chart below.
Original Curl Centric chart
Is it normal or a problem? Check your nape hair
Find the row that sounds most like the hair at the back of your neck, then follow the last column. If more than one row fits, start with the one lower down the chart.
| Verdict | What you notice | Why it happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| That’s normal | The hair at your nape is shorter or more tightly coiled than the rest of your hair, but it combs out with conditioner and doesn’t break. | Hair texture can differ from one part of your scalp to another. Tight coils at the nape are part of your hair, not damage. | Nothing needs fixing. Keep it moisturized and detangle it gently on wash day. |
| Needs moisture | It feels rough, dry, or crunchy, even right after wash day. | Tight coils at the back of your neck are easy to miss with conditioner, and hats and scarves rub against them. | Deep condition every week or two, add a hot oil treatment twice a month, and follow with a leave-in conditioner. |
| Needs gentler detangling | It knots up fast, and you find tiny knots or little balls of hair in your comb. | Tightly coiled hair forms knots more often than looser curls, and every knot is a weak spot where a strand can snap. | Detangle damp hair coated in conditioner with a wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends. Trim any tiny knot you can’t undo. |
| It’s breaking | You keep finding short pieces of hair, or the ends split when you look closely. | Heat, relaxers, tight styles, and rough detangling can all cause breakage. A split can travel up the strand before it snaps. | Trim the split ends, ease off heat and chemical treatments, and loosen any style that pulls on your nape. |
| See a dermatologist | The hair at your nape or along your hairline is getting thinner, or you can see more scalp than before. | That can be traction alopecia (i.e., hair loss from constant pulling), and it can become permanent the longer it goes untreated. | Loosen your styles now and book a dermatologist (i.e., a doctor who treats skin, hair, and scalp problems). |
| Check your scalp | The skin at your nape is itchy, sore, flaky, or has bumps. | That’s a problem with your scalp, not your hair texture, and it needs a diagnosis. | See a dermatologist for a diagnosis. Regular moisturizing and styling products may not treat the cause. |
Moisture and gentle care can make your nape hair softer, but they won’t change your natural curl pattern. Healthy coils don’t need fixing.
9 Ways to Soften and Care for Buckshots
If the hair at your nape feels dry, knotted, or keeps breaking, these steps can help. They won’t change your natural curl pattern, but they can make that hair softer, easier to detangle, and less likely to break.
In this section, we’ll tell you nine ways to care for the hair at your nape:
1. Use a Deep Conditioner
A deep conditioner is like a jam-packed conditioner that gives your hair the extra hydration and nourishment it needs to look and feel its best.
You can use a deep conditioner once a week or every two weeks, depending on how dry your hair is at the nape. If your hair is extremely dry and brittle, you may want to use a deep conditioner more often.
2. Use a Hot Oil Treatment
Hot oil treatments can add moisture and elasticity to your hair, and the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using one twice a month. Use an oil that’s safe to apply directly to your hair and scalp, such as olive oil or coconut oil. Lab research suggests both oils can penetrate the hair shaft instead of only sitting on the surface. In another lab study, coconut oil was the only oil tested that noticeably reduced protein loss from hair.
To do a hot oil treatment, warm up ¼ cup of oil in the microwave or in a small pot.
Allow it to cool until a drop on your wrist feels warm, not hot. Then apply the oil to the hair at the nape of your neck and massage it in.
Then, cover your head with a shower cap and leave the oil in for at least 30 minutes. You can then rinse it out and shampoo it if your hair feels greasy.
3. Get a Trim
Look closely at the hair on the back of your neck and stretch out a few strands. Are your ends split into two or more sections?
If so, the next step is to get a trim.
If you leave your split ends alone, they’ll keep getting worse as you manipulate your hair. A split can travel up the strand until the hair breaks off higher up, making it harder to retain length.
Trim that hair to get rid of any split ends and help prevent further damage.
Then, as your hair grows back in, be sure to use a deep conditioner and/or hot oil treatment to keep your hair healthy. You'll then notice your hair growing and thriving over time.
4. Don't Wear Tight Hairstyles
When you wear tight hairstyles that put a lot of tension on the hair shaft, trouble is never too far behind.
Every time you wear your hair in tight ponytails, cornrows, or buns, you’re putting your hair at risk of breakage, overstretching, and other forms of damage. Over time, tight styles can also cause traction alopecia (i.e., hair loss from constant pulling), which can become permanent the longer it goes untreated.
Instead, opt for looser styles that won't pull on your hair. You can also try using soft scrunchies or Ouchless hair ties to minimize the risk of damage.
5. Be Careful When Detangling Your Hair
Are you too tough when detangling your hair? If you’re not careful, you can weaken and snap off your strands.
Detangle with a comb instead of a brush, while your hair is damp and coated in conditioner. Start at the ends and work your way up toward the roots.
Also, use a wide-tooth comb and a slippery detangler to gently work through those knots. Your hair will thank you!
6. Limit Heat Styling Tools
Heat styling tools can wreck your hair in a hurry, especially if you're using them often. If you can, use heat-styling tools as little as possible.
If you must use them, apply a heat protectant beforehand and keep the temperature low. This will help to minimize damage, so less of your hair breaks off.
7. Be Gentle With Your Hair
This may seem like common sense, but it's worth mentioning. Your hair is delicate, so you need to be gentle with it. Avoid using harsh chemicals and treatments, and handle your hair with care. The gentler you are, the healthier your hair will be in the long run.
8. Avoid Using Chemical Treatments
If you're dealing with buckshots and are thinking about using any kind of chemical treatment on your hair to tame it, stop right there.
Relaxers and other chemical straighteners damage hair and make it more fragile, so they’ll leave the hair at your nape more likely to break. Instead, focus on gentler care, like deep conditioning and regular trims.
9. Don't Be Afraid to Ask For Help
Sometimes, caring for your hair takes a village! If you’re struggling to manage your buckshots on your own, don’t be afraid to ask for help from a stylist who knows natural hair. They can give you advice on the best products to use and how best to take care of your hair.
And if the hair at your nape is thinning, or the skin there is itchy, sore, or flaky, see a dermatologist (i.e., a doctor who treats skin, hair, and scalp problems).
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With a little care and patience, the hair at your nape can feel softer and stay healthier. Just be patient and remember that there’s an element of trial and error involved in finding what works best for you.
But once you find a routine that works, you'll be able to show off your healthy, beautiful hair with confidence.
We hope that this article has provided answers to all of your questions about buckshots. And we wish you the best as you give your hair the care it desperately needs. Good luck with your hair!
