Why has my hair started parting in the back of my head? At any moment, your hair might begin to act unfamiliar; that just comes with the territory of natural hair.
If you have started to notice that your hair is parting in the back, you may be wondering what’s causing it. There are a few things that could be causing your hair to part in this way, and we will discuss them in this article.
We will also provide some tips on how to deal with this issue.
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Why Has My Hair Started Parting in The Back?
The number one reason your hair may be parting in the back is that you have a cowlick. If you’ve just gone natural, it makes sense that you are just now noticing it.
A cowlick is a section of hair that stands up or sticks out from the rest of the hair. Cowlicks can look like a stubborn part that’s difficult to conceal.
Cowlicks can occur in any area of the head, but they are most commonly found at the crown (back of the head) or temples. Although they can be annoying, cowlicks are actually quite normal.
Almost everyone has at least one cowlick, which is formed when a certain section of your hair grows in a different direction than the rest of your hair. Cowlicks are usually genetic, meaning they are passed down from your parents.
If you have a cowlick, it's likely that one or both of your parents also have one.
Some people's cowlicks lay flat while others' are more pronounced. The shape, size, and location of your cowlick can also change over time. For example, you may have had a small cowlick as a child that has grown larger as you've gotten older.
Other Reasons Why Your Hair May Be Parting in the Back
If you don't have a cowlick, there are a few other possible reasons why your hair is parting in the back. We'll discuss a few of these other reasons below.
Repetitive Styling
Do you often wear your hair in the same style? When you wear the same style over and over again, you train your hair to lay down in that particular fashion.
For example, if you always part your hair to the side and wear it in a low ponytail, you may notice that your hair starts to part on the side automatically, even when you don't style it that way.
So, think about your styling options and whether you've been wearing your hair in the same style for a while. If you have, this is the key to your issue.
Hair Breakage in a Specific Area
Another possibility is that you have a lot of hair breakage in the back of your head. When the hair is broken off in a certain area, it can cause your hair to lie differently.
Localized breakage can be caused by several things, such as:
- Wearing your hair in tight hairstyles (e.g., high ponytails, buns) that put a lot of tension on your hair
- Using harsh chemicals or heat styling tools that damage your hair
- Not properly caring for your hair (e.g., not using a heat protectant before heat styling)
If you think this might be the case, take a closer look at your hair care routine and see if there are any changes you can make.
Dandruff or Another Scalp Issue
If you have a scalp issue, it could be to blame. Dandruff can cause the hair to fall out in patches (or hair thinning), which can then lead to the hair parting in a particular area. Other scalp issues that cause itching or inflammation can lead you to scratch your scalp and jumpstart hair loss.
How Do I Stop My Hair from Parting At The Back?
If you found the cause of your parting hair, that's great! But what do you do about it? There are a few things you can do to stop your hair from parting in the back. And we'll get into the remedies below.
See a Dermatologist for Scalp Issues and Hair Loss
Irritation, itching, redness, and bumps are all signs your scalp needs some attention. If you think you might have a scalp issue, such as dandruff or psoriasis, the first step is to see a dermatologist.
They can take educated steps to identify the cause of your scalp issue and recommend the best treatment option. In some cases, over-the-counter treatments are all that's needed to clear up the issue.
But in other cases, you may need a prescription-strength treatment.
Be Gentle with Your Hair
Handling your hair gently can help prevent hair breakage, which is known to lead to your hair parting in the back. Here's what you should do:
- Avoid using harsh chemicals, such as bleach, on your hair.
- Limit heat styling to a few times a week (e.g., blow drying hair), and use a heat protectant when you do heat style.
- Don't pull or tug on your hair when you brush it or style it. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle.
- Wash your hair with a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. Do a deep conditioning treatment at least once a week.
By following these tips, you can help prevent further damage to your hair.
Retrain Your Hair
You may not have been aware, but you can retrain your hair to lie differently. Recall that every time you style your hair, you're essentially training it to lie a certain way.
So, if you want to retrain your hair to lie differently, all you need to do is style it differently.
Hair is more malleable when it's wet. So, we recommend that you use a narrow-tooth comb or brush to get rid of the part while your hair is wet, detangled, and coated in a moisturizer, styler, or gel.
Once your hair dries, the part should be much less noticeable. You can also use a pick to fluff your roots and further disguise the part.
You may also want to experiment with different parting types. If you typically part your hair to the side, try parting it in the middle for a few days and see if that makes a difference.
How to Disguise an Unwanted Part
If you're not ready to make any changes to your hair care routine, there are a few styling hacks you can use to disguise an unwanted part. Not every remedy will work for everyone, so you may have to experiment a bit to find the one that works best for you.
- Try a concealing product, such as a temporary root touch-up spray or powder. These products can help cover up the part until you're ready to make a change. Don't be too heavy-handed with the product, though, or it will look unnatural.
- Use a headband or scarf to cover up the part. This is an easy and quick way to disguise the part until you have time to style your hair differently. Just avoid tying any accessories too tight, as doing so can cause traction alopecia, which is a much more challenging issue to remedy.
- Wear your hair in styles that cover up the part. If you typically wear your hair down, try wearing it in a loose ponytail, bun, or braid. You can also try wearing a hat to cover up the part in a pinch.
There you have it, several causes and remedies for hair that's parting in the back. We hope that these tips help you get rid of your unwanted hair part. Remember to be patient and gentle with your hair as you experiment with different styles and products. Good luck!
