Many women experience hair breakage and it can happen for a multitude of reasons. Sometimes products and your hair routine in general can be the cause, but it can also be a symptom of an underlying health problem. Either way, there are several habits and treatments you can adopt to prevent further hair breakage . The right products and the right techniques allow you to care for your hair without damaging it . Before we delve into ways to stop hair breakage, we will analyze the causes of hair breakage.
What is hair breakage ? Split ends , flyaways , and frizzy hair are telltale signs of hair breakage . The main difference between hair loss and hair breakage is where the hair falls out.
Hair breakage usually occurs in the middle of the strand rather than at the root, leading to frizz , split ends , and thinning spaces around the scalp .
Causes of brittle hair
The strength and elasticity of your hair depends on its water content. This is because humidity allows your hair to expand and contract , meaning it can stretch without breaking and then return to its original length. But when your hair lacks moisture , it can't stretch and becomes brittle , often breaking when brushing , drying, and styling .
Factors that reduce the water content of your hair and make it more fragile include:
- Coloring treatments (such as bleaching and highlighting)
- Keratin straightening treatments
- UV exposure
- Permanents
- heated styling tools (such as hair dryers, tongs, curling irons).
Chemical treatments are probably the worst culprits. It can damage your hair's protein structure and the bonds that hold it together. It also raises the cuticle of each hair, making it more vulnerable to moisture evaporation. Although you can never completely close the cuticle , daily shampoos and treatments, as well as deep conditioning masks, can help smooth and seal it.
Damaged hair
It's a bit of a chicken and egg story: if your hair is damaged , it will break, but damaged hair is... hair that has started to break. Broken hair can easily be caused by hair damaged by excessive exposure to heat and chemicals .
Substances that change the natural color or texture of your hair can alter the protective barrier around the cuticle , medulla and cortex. In other words, anything that changes the natural structure of your hair can seriously weaken it.
Ponytails and buns that are too tight
Hair ties can also be a common cause of hair breakage . Your typical fabric-wrapped hair ties put extra pressure on your hair cuticles and cause strands to fall out as soon as you remove them.
Brush your hair when it's wet
Hair is more elastic when wet, which is a serious cause of hair breakage. Brushes like WetBrush or Tangle Teezer will reduce most breakage, but to limit hair loss, let your hair dry 50-70% after washing it!
Severely broken and thinning hair
For people who have very broken or very thinning hair, the causes are usually more internal or health-related. One of the most common reasons for hair loss and breakage is hormonal imbalance, such as thyroid problems.
Many hormone- related conditions can interrupt the hair growth cycle, meaning your hair doesn't grow back as often. Once hormonal imbalances are corrected, hair loss often subsides, unless another cause is at play.
Always consult a healthcare professional if you think your hair is very brittle or thinning. It may be a more complex problem or a mixture of several problems that are causing hair loss.
Broken and thinning hair can also be signs of:
- Lupus
- Alopecia
- Eating disorders
- Burnt scalp syndrome
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Trichotillomania
Treatments for brittle hair and habits to stop
Use a deep conditioner
Deeply hydrating the hair shaft is an easy way to protect your hair from damage and breakage. Start by using a leave-in conditioner or mask to increase the moisture level in your hair. While a mask can't necessarily reverse damage, it can keep strands and new growth healthy.
Air dry and embrace your natural locks
To help your hair regain its strength, take a break from your heat tools and homemade dyes. If you must use your favorite straightener or hair dryer , be sure to apply a high-quality heat protectant before styling.
Limit your hair drying to once a week, using the coolest setting, and air dry the rest of the time. Also try not to use chemicals or go to a professional for chemical hair treatments – avoid DIY.
Use a microfiber towel
Standard bath towels can be too harsh on our fragile hair and cause excessive breakage. So ditch the towel and let your hair relax, or use a microfiber towel for gentler drying.
Loosen ponytails and buns
This is where scrunchies, hair ties, and silk pillowcases come to the rescue: they're softer, less abrasive to the hair, and won't tear anything out when you're done with your bun.
Maintain a healthy and balanced diet
Like the rest of our body, our hair needs nutrients to grow and become stronger. Additionally, if your brittle hair is caused by hormonal issues, a good diet can also help balance and even prevent symptoms.
The best foods for healthy hair are enriched with protein, B-12 and biotin, for example:
- Nuts
- Berries
- Spinach
- Oily fish
- Sweet potato
- Lawyer
- Peppers
- Legumes
- Soy
- Lean meat or high-protein substitutes like tofu or tempeh.
Many factors can cause hair breakage , from harsh chemicals to various health issues. It is therefore essential to stay healthy to prevent hair breakage . Simple changes and a healthy diet can help prevent hair breakage in the future, so make sure you take care of your insides and out.
Also find out how to take care of porous hair .
