If there was a way to stop hair breakage with strong hair, would you be the first one in the queue? Well, achieving and maintaining healthy hair, free of breakage is no mean feat. It takes a consistently healthy diet and the right hair care regimen to gain back your hair’s natural strength.
In this blog, we’ll explain why hair breakage occurs, how you can treat it and tips to retain your hair’s health.
- What Is Hair Breakage?
- Why Is My Hair Breaking?
- How Do I Know If I Have Hair Breakage?
- How To Treat Hair Breakage?
- How To Prevent Hair Breakage?
- What Is The Difference Between Hair Fall And Hair Breakage?
- What Is Hair Breakage?
Difference between Hair Breakage and Hair Fall
- Hair Breakage – Hair breakage generally occurs when our hairs shaft breaks due to underlying factors. This leads to split ends or dry hair making our hair strands shorter. The protective inner layer of cuticle gets exposed and hair becomes extremely dry. Since hair is constantly suffering fro dryness, it turns into split ends ultimately leading to hair breakage.
- Hair Fall – Hair fall is essentially hair loss resulting from the loss of hair from the root. This usually occurs when the root of hair or hair follicle becomes fine and hair begin to fall off in large quantity. Hair fall is a natural phenonmenon as every person looses around 50-100 strands in a day on an average
Common Causes For Hair Breaking Off
From your lifestyle to medical conditions, there can be a number of reasons why your hair is breaking. Here are some of the most common causes:
- Improper Diet
Restricted diets can actually do more harm than good to your hair. Make sure you’re getting enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals that contribute to healthy hair and skin. Some vital nutrients include iron, zinc and folic acid. Consume foods that are rich in antioxidants and proteins as well.
Note:
Eating disorders can also contribute to hair breakage. Somebody with an eating disorder may not be consuming the right amount of nutrients required for the hair. This can restrict its proper growth and thus, you may notice your hair breaking off easily.
2. Dryness
Dry and brittle hair is prone to damage and breakage. A number of factors that can worsen this condition include using harsh products, shampooing your hair too often and washing it with hot water. Not using a conditioner after you have cleansed your scalp can also contribute to dryness and breakage.
3.Brushing Too Hard
Brushing your hair too hard can result in broken strands of hair. It can also pull out your hair from its roots, damaging it. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you brush your hair gently only when you need to style it while stepping out. 100 strokes a day is a myth.
4.Styling Tools That Produce Heat
Exposing your hair to extreme temperatures can cause your scales to fall apart and break. Avoid using such tools too often. Let your hair breathe. Investing in a heat protectant can also prevent these tools from damaging your hair.
5.Chemically Treating Your Hair Too Often
Chemical treatments like relaxations, coloring, or perming your hair among others can cause it to break. Chemically treating your hair too often means exposing it to harmful chemicals and even heat that can damage it considerably. It is advised that if you have chemically treated your hair, avoid doing so at least for 6-7 months.
6. Not Letting It Dry Naturally
Letting your hair dry naturally is important to avoid long-term damage. Your hair is in a vulnerable state when you’re out of the shower. Rubbing your hair with towels or using heat can actually damage your hair.
7.Tying Up Your Hair Too Often
Apart from just pulling your hair from your roots, tying your hair up regularly can also cause it to get tangled and break easily. Leaving it loosely tied is the best way to go for your everyday regime.
8. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid glands refrain from producing a proper amount of thyroid hormones. Thyroid hormones are vital for hair growth. A lack of thyroid hormone can result in hair damage and even hair loss.
Can You Repair Hair Breakage?
Yes, absolutely! Hair breakage can be treated and reversed using some common home treatments as well as advanced techniques. Certain dietary and lifestyle changes can have positive impact in restoring hair health and stop hair breakage before it gets too late.
Treatment For Hair Breakage
There are many advanced options that work best as the treatment for hair breakage and split ends. These include –
- Biotin Treatment – Among all the nutrients needed for healthy hair, biotin is the most vital one. Biotin or Vitamin B7 is believed to improve the keratin level of the scalp and support healthy hair growth. Biotin also helps in strengthening the roots making hair less prone to breakage. Biotin supplements are a popular hair breakage solution that work effectively.
- Keratin Treatment – Keratin is a protein that maintains the natural lustre of our hair. During this treatment, keratin is added to the hair without causing any damage. Hair breakage after keratin treatment drastically reduces, paving way for healthy hair.
- Anti-Breakage Hair Mask – Anti-breakage hair masks can prevent dry, brittle or frizzy hair by providing them the necessary moisture they need. These can be made at home or bought outside. These help in increasing hair elasticity, making hair tangle-free and resist breakage.
- Deep Conditioning – Deep conditioning will nourish the hair and compensate for the lack of moisture to prevent further breakage. There are many over-the-counter and topical products available for deep conditioning of the hair without any side effects.
- Medical Treatment – If hair breakage is occurring due to pregnancy, hormonal changes, eating disorders or hypothyroidism, then it may require medical attention. It is best to visit your dermatologist who can assess the reasons for hair breakage and then recommend treatment accordingly.
- Other Treatments – Other treatment options include avoiding products or habits that may cause hair breakage such as avoid styling tools, maintain hygiene, take hair supplements, hair massage etc.
How To Stop Hair Breakage?
In order to prevent further hair breakage, you should consider following these helpful tips –
- Trim your hair on a regular basis. Getting a trim or haircut after every eight weeks is recommended.
- Wash and condition your hair with a gentle cleanser twice or thrice a week to maintain healthy hair hygiene. Also, clean your scalp thoroughly after washing, to avoid chemical build-up in the hair.
- Avoid rubbing your hair with towel when you get out of shower as rubbing motion may damage the hair. Instead, leave the towel in the hair to absorb excess water.
- Do not comb or brush your hair while they are wet. To de-tangle them, use a wide-toothed comb.
- Avoid using heat styling tools as much as possible. Let your hair air-dry when possible.
- Use swimmer’s shampoo or conditioner after going to a pool.
- Consider a hairstyle that needs less maintenance and does not cause hair breakage.
- Eat a balanced diet with essential nutrients to keep your hair healthy.