Is your hair short in places? The impression that they do not grow? Your hair may be brittle. Specific actions will promote hair breakage. We explain the reasons for the breakage and the solutions.
Why Does Hair Break?
Daily, the hair is put to the test, especially if it is long. The reasons for hair breakage are many, whether long or short. Friction on clothing, wind, cold, sun, heat from heating devices, unsuitable care, or excess care can cause hair breakage. But also, excessive or brutal manipulations and unsuitable hairstyles sensitize the hair fiber, which breaks and falls.
How To Recognize Hair Breakage?
Broken hair is recognizable by shorter or concise hair in parts of the hair, not to be confused with baby hair for the front of the head. But also by a loss of volume, tiny hairs scattered around you, the impression that hair does not grow, and small inches that fall out as soon as you handle them. We lose hair every day, and it’s dead hair. But when it is in excess, you must consult a dermatologist.
The Causes Of Hair Breakage
Excessive Manipulation
Touching the hair regularly, tying them, and untying them often during the day can lead to hair breakage. Solutions: you can adopt a so-called “protective” hairstyle, such as pigtails, braids, or a bun, or install additions (wicks, waves) for curly hair. These hairstyles will protect the hair, maintain the maximum lengths, and in this way, the manipulations will be limited. But avoid the opposite effect without tightening the hairstyle too much.
Brush Or Comb The Hair Roughly
Watch out for brutal and very frequent comb or brush strokes. These ways weaken the hair fiber and can cause breakage. Solutions: start with the tips, going up towards the roots delicately by section of hair. Do not brush dry hair but always on wet, damp hair or impregnated with a detangling product (conditioner, leave-in conditioner)
Excess Heat
The abuse of heating devices, such as hair dryers or straighteners, damages the hair fiber. It thins out and eventually falls off. Solution: avoid all sources of heat
Repeated Or Too-Tight Hairstyles
Tying hair the same way daily or having a too-tight hairstyle can cause hair breakage. Solutions: change your hairstyle regularly, avoiding too tight a hairstyle, such as a bun, a ponytail, or one or more pigtails, and avoiding rubber bands or a scarf that is too tight. The pressure of these hairstyles will break the hair fiber.
Metal Accessories
Metallic materials such as rubber bands with rings or barrettes break the hair fiber. Solution: they are to be avoided; adopt rubber bands without a ring
Unsuitable Care
Excess water on the hair weakens it (hydraulic fatigue*). The hair fiber swells; it becomes less resistant and, therefore, more prone to breakage. Protein care applied very often when the hair does not need it will weaken it. Solutions: adapt the care without using in excess
The Lack Of Care
You moisturize the hair regularly and provide deep care once a week. But are you taking the proper care? Hydration is essential, but the lack of nourishing and protein care is also a cause of hair breakage because the hair fiber lacks lipids and proteins. Solutions:
- For all hair types, apply a protein mask once a month or every six weeks.
- Once a month, use a nourishing mask instead of the moisturizing mask if your hair is curly.
- Increase the frequency of the nourishing mask for curly hair, alternating with a moisturizing mask.
Chemical Treatment
Applying chemical coloring, straighteners, or straightening methods promotes hair breakage. Solutions: These methods are to be avoided absolutely. There are vegetable colorings as an alternative to chemical colors. Unlike smoothing and straightening products, there is no natural alternative.
Also Read: Conquer Straight And Healthy Hair With These 5 Practical Tips
Solutions To Prevent Hair Breakage
Moisturize The Hair Well
Hair hydration is essential, but not in excess. Two to three times a week, apply a moisturizer with a spray or hair milk. Once a week, apply a moisturizing mask to leave on for 30 minutes, depending on the marks.
Dry the hair gently
Do not rub the lengths in the towel when drying hair on shampoo day. Adopt a bamboo or microfiber towel because these absorbent materials are very soft for the hair fiber, unlike classic cotton towels. Press your hair in the towel to absorb excess water.
Protect Hair Overnight
Never leave your hair bare on a cotton pillowcase, this material will absorb all the hydration from the hair, and friction will damage and tangle it. Opt for a satin/silk bonnet or a satin/silk pillowcase. These materials are gentle on the hair fiber; the hair will slide, friction will be avoided, and hydration will be maintained.
Protect Hair From The Cold
Raise the hair to the maximum, and protect your hair from the cold and the wind with a lovely scarf or a hat. Attention! Choose a satin or silk scarf to avoid hair dehydration. Otherwise, protect your hair with your satin nightcap under your scarf, then tie it. Scarves are often made of cotton and dehydrated hair fiber. The material of the cap can absorb moisture from the hair, so do not overdo it by keeping it on all day.
Protect Hair From The Sun
Sun exposure damages hair and can cause breakage. Nourishing treatments are more suitable in summer than moisturizers but should be remembered. To protect the hair from the sun, choose appropriate therapies such as shea butter which acts as a protective treatment, or treatments containing this vegetable butter. Remember to protect the hair with a scarf, a capeline, or a hat in sunny weather.
What Care To Stop And Avoid Breakage?
If your hair is broken and uneven, cut it to even it out. The hair routine to stop or avoid hair breakage will be similar. Applying protein and nourishing care will be more regular in the way.
Care For Brittle Hair
To stop the breakage, a protein care cure will be accompanied by nourishing care. The proteins will strengthen the hair fiber and maintain elasticity. Once a week for a month, apply a protein mask and leave it on for the time indicated by the brand. Daily, after moisturizing the hair, seal in the moisture with a nourishing treatment like a cream. If your hair is fine, avoid textures that are too rich.
Care To Avoid Breakage
In maintenance, apply a protein mask once a month to every six weeks and a nourishing mask alternating with a moisturizing mask once a week. Avoid vibrant, nourishing masks if your hair is acceptable to avoid weighing it down. Certain ingredients will help limit and prevent hair breakage. Hair products containing biotin, nettle, or sapote oil are favorable in fighting against breakage.
Food Supplements
Hair food supplements are perfect for completing a routine. They improve the appearance of the hair, prevent breakage, promote growth, deeply nourish and hydrate, give shine, and volume, etc. Depending on the choice of dietary supplement, the results are multiple. Several options are present on the market for food supplements.
They are composed of a mixture of minerals, vitamins, and plants, or simply dietary supplements that include a single vitamin, a plant… To fight against hair breakage, nettle, and biotin are excellent. The case has been neutralized! If your hair tends to be brittle, favor a hair routine with ingredients that will prevent hair breakage, supplementing with a course of food supplements two to three times a year.
Remember to apply a protein mask once a month or every six weeks. When the hair breaks, it stagnates and gives the impression that it does not grow. They succeed, but the length needs to be maintained due to hair breakage. By following our tips for avoiding breakage and keeping distance, hair will be in better shape, and growth will be visible.
Also Read: Five Quick And Easy Hair Curling Techniques