Hair Breaking: Causes and Prevention Tips

If you're like many people, you take pride in your fine hair. You probably spend a lot of time and money taking care of it, trying to make it look its best. But even with all that effort, there's one thing that can ruin your hair's appearance more than anything else: hair breaking. Healthy hair breakage can occur for a number of reasons, and if left untreated, it can lead to serious scalp problems.

In this post, we'll discuss the causes and prevention tips for hair breakage. So keep reading to learn more about maintaining healthy hair!

What is hair breakage?

Hair breakage is the loss of hair caused by combing or brushing too roughly, certain chemicals or dyes, or other methods used for straightening and styling. Hair breakage can be especially problematic because it leads to thinning and baldness.

If you experience hair breakage it is very different from temporary hair loss, which is the disruption of the hair cycle caused by physical or genetic factors.

If your hair is thinning or receding at the temples or around the crown, that's a sign of male pattern baldness. Hair breakage shouldn't be confused with this type of non-reversible hair loss.

Is hair breakage permanent?

Hair breakage will not result in permanent hair loss. However, if your wet hair is breaking or splitting at the ends, that can lead to thinning over time. That's why it's important to change your hair routine and take steps now to prevent hair breakage or any further damage.

Causes for hair breakage

Hair breakage can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Improper diet

Hair breakage can be caused by malnutrition, meaning that you're not eating enough healthy foods to nourish your fine hair properly.

Foods that are rich in protein and vitamin B12 can help reduce damaged hair shaft, make your hair strong and less likely to snap. These include lean meat, low-fat dairy products, legumes, green vegetables, oranges and whole grains.

2. Excessive heat styling

Heat styling hot tools such as flat irons, blow dryers and curling iron can cause a great deal of damaged hair because they tend to be very hot. The heat from these devices can cause the hair shaft to break or chip at the ends, leading to split ends and thinning strands.

To prevent this type of hair breakage and to keep your hair healthy avoid heat styling as much as possible or use heat protection products. When you do use heat on your hair, make sure to use a heat protectant or spray designed to protect the hair from high temperatures.

3. Chemical treatments

Chemical treatments can be very damaging to your hair because they strip away moisture and protective oils. If you dye or highlight your hair, it's important that you use a deep conditioner on a regular basis to reduce the damaged hair. You should also try to limit deep treatments as much as possible because they can cause your hair to become brittle and break easily.

4. Dryness

Dryness is one of the most common causes of hair breakage, especially in cold weather. The lack of moisture in your hair can cause it to become stiff and brittle, which leads to increased tangling and split ends. To prevent this type of damage, you'll want to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner on a regular basis.

However, make sure to use a moisturizing shampoo for dry hair, instead of a standard shampoo. Using a boar bristle brush is recommended as it is the most gentle on your hair and also distributes the natural oils from your scalp throughout your hair strand to add shine.

5. Rough combing/brushing

Rough combing or brushing can cause your hair to break or split at the ends. To prevent this type of damage, always gently brush your hair before shampooing it. Also, be sure to detangle your hair carefully to prevent it from snagging on rough patches.

6. Towel drying

Towel drying your hair harshly can cause breakage at the roots and split ends. Blow drying your hair with a towel can severely damage it because it rubs against the delicate cuticles of your strands, causing them to fall out or snap off completely. To dry your hair more gently, pat it dry or wrap it in a towel before applying pressure.

7. Not having regular haircuts

Not having regular haircuts can lead to extremely long hair that breaks easily. Long strands are more likely to get caught on things, which causes breakage and split ends. The only time you should go more than a month without a haircut is during the winter months when your hair growth is slower.

8. Tight hairstyles

Tight braids, extensions, or hairstyles can cause hair breakage because they pull or hair tie too tightly. To prevent this type of hair damage to the roots and ends, avoid wearing ponytails and braids that are pulled too tightly. If you do wear tight updos from time to time, make sure to use a moisturizing spray or light-hold hairspray to reduce breakage. People can also switch to covered hair ties and wear their hair in a variety of loose styles to relieve pressure on the hair.

9. Stress

Stress is another common cause of hair breakage. When you're under a lot of stress, your body produces more cortisol and adrenaline than usual. These hormones can act on the roots of your hair, causing hair fall out or snap off completely. To prevent this type of damage, be sure to get plenty of rest and avoid extreme emotional triggers as much as possible.

10. Thyroid disorders

Thyroid disorders are one of the most common causes of hair falls, especially in women. To reduce the risk of this type of hair breakage, make sure to eat a healthy diet and consult your doctor about getting tested for any nutrient deficiencies.

11. Over washing

Regularly shampooing your hair can cause it to become dry, brittle, and break. The hair is meant to protect itself naturally by producing its own oils. These excess oil substances are called sebum secretions, which form a natural barrier on the scalp that prevents bacteria from entering. Over shampooing strips this protection away completely, making the scalp vulnerable to bacteria and dirt. Therefore, shampoo your hair twice a week at the most.

12. Hair accessories

The clips, rubber bands, barrettes, and other hair accessories that you choose can cause future breakage to your strands if they're too tight or have sharp edges. To prevent this type of damage to the roots of your hair, always use hair accessories that have smooth, blunt edges. In addition, avoid anything with a clasp that pinches your skin as it's being put on or taken off.

How to prevent hair breakage?

By identifying the source, using hair-strengthening products, or changing their hair care routine, people may often help in healthy hair growth. The following sections discuss the hair breakage treatments and how to prevent future hair breakage:

1. Moisturize your hair

You can reduce split ends and breakage by always moisturizing your hair before, during, and after shampooing or conditioning it. For best results, use a deep conditioner on wet strands for at least six minutes after you rinse out the shampoo from your hair. If this is too time-consuming for you, then moisturize dry hair with a leave-in conditioner at least twice a week.

2. Massage your hair and scalp

Don't neglect the roots and scalp of your hair when you moisturize it! To stimulate blood flow and boost hair growth, massage these areas lightly as you work in the moisturizer and rinse it out. In addition, massaging stimulates the sebaceous glands to secrete their natural oils.

3. Avoid brushing your hair when it's wet

Always brush or comb your hair after it has been shampooed and conditioned, never before! Wet hair is more likely to break because it is a lot weaker than dry hair. Brushing wet hair may cause it to break and snap instead of lay down smoothly.

4. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase

Avoid sleeping on your brittle hair fibers with a cotton pillowcase because it can stretch and hair damage your strands. Instead, consider using a silk or satin pillowcase that will prevent the hair from tangling and breaking when you toss and turn in your sleep.

5. Include vitamins in diet

Besides eating a healthy and balanced diet, it's also essential to take hair-strengthening supplements in order to maintain the health of your locks. Some great options include prenatal vitamins, iron supplements, fish oil, or any type of multivitamin.

6. Avoid heat styling tools

If you want to prevent breakage in your hair, it's important to stop hair breakage by stop using heat styling tools such as a blow dryer or flat iron on a regular basis. Instead, allow your hair health to air dry whenever possible.

7. Trim split ends

Split ends can cause hair to break and become frizzy, so get rid of them by snipping them off with scissors every few weeks. Treat hair breakage and repair damaged hair by trimming split ends and shortened hair strands. This will help strengthen your hair follicles and prevent future breakage.

8. Use hair oil on dry hair

After shampooing and deep conditioning treatment, apply a few drops of 100 % pure and natural Moroccan argan oil to the ends of your locks and let it air dry. This will add shine to the ends of your strands while protecting them from further damage.

9. Deep-condition your hair

To deeply moisturize dry hair, use a deep-conditioning for hair breakage treatment at least once every week. Simply apply some of the hair products to your strands and put on a plastic shower cap for 10 - 20 minutes before rinsing it out with cold water.

10. Avoid pulling your hair back tightly

If you're wearing your hair in a ponytail or any other type of updo, choose a hairstyle that doesn't put too much stress on the roots. If you're working out, for example, it's best to wear your hair down instead of pulling it back into a tight ponytail.