Hair breakage is a common concern, characterized by split ends, uneven lengths, and a generally unhealthy appearance. It occurs when the hair shaft weakens, leading to the snapping or splitting of strands. While frustrating, understanding the causes of hair breakage is the first step toward prevention and restoring healthy, luscious hair.
Hair breakage manifests as split ends, short, spiky hairs, and broken hairs along the shaft, sometimes concentrated around the hairline. Affected hair may appear brittle, rough, or frizzy. In severe cases, it can even mimic hair thinning due to hair loss.
Healthy hair relies on an intact inner cuticle with overlapping scales that maintain strand integrity. When these scales deteriorate, hair becomes dry and prone to breakage. This damage can manifest as frizz and dryness.
Hair breakage has numerous potential causes, and often a combination of factors is at play.
Frequent use of heat styling tools like blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners can severely damage the hair shaft. High heat can cause surface damage, with studies showing that hair dryers, especially at high temperatures, can be particularly harmful. Even environmental factors like hot, dry climates can contribute to hair breakage.
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How to fix it: Reduce the temperature of heat tools, hold hair dryers at least six inches away from the hair, and always use a heat protectant product. Giving your hair a break from styling tools at least once a week can also help. Ceramic styling tools heat up more evenly, reducing the need for repeated use on the same sections of hair.
Chemical treatments such as bleaching, coloring, perming, relaxing, and professional straightening can initially improve hair's appearance but can cause damage over time. These processes can break down the cuticle, leading to breakage, frizziness, weakness, and loss of volume.
How to fix it: Opt for gentle hair treatments like low-ammonia or ammonia-free dyes. Space out chemical treatments and use deep-conditioning hair masks to counteract their drying effects. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends extending the time between sessions to 8-10 weeks, if possible.
Certain ingredients in hair care products can be detrimental to hair health. Sulfates, commonly found in shampoos, can strip hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and brittleness.
How to fix it: Avoid products with harsh sulfates, especially for frequent use. Overwashing can also strip natural oils, so adjust washing frequency based on hair type. Extremely dry hair may only need weekly shampooing, while oily hair may tolerate daily washing. Be gentle when shampooing, focusing on the scalp, and apply conditioner smoothly from ends to roots.
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Tight hairstyles like ponytails, buns, and braids can place excessive tension on the hair, leading to breakage and even traction alopecia, a form of hair loss caused by prolonged tension.
How to fix it: Wear hairstyles loosely and avoid pulling hair back too tightly. Be gentle when removing hair ties and avoid using rubber bands, which can cause damage.
Excessive or rough brushing can put too much tension on the hair shaft, causing breakage and damage.
How to fix it: Avoid being too rough when combing your hair. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle knots gently, and consider using a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray. The AAD recommends only brushing and combing when styling hair, using wide-tooth combs to prevent breakage. It is best to brush hair when it is dry and to avoid plastic bristles, opting for natural bristles instead.
Using excessive amounts of strong-hold hair products can make hair rigid, leading to breakage when styling and combing.
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How to fix it: Use hair styling products with less hold and be gentle when removing them.
Rubbing hair aggressively with a towel can cause damage and breakage, especially when hair is wet and vulnerable.
How to fix it: Wrap hair in a towel to absorb moisture or pat it dry gently. Consider using a microfiber towel, which is gentler on hair than regular cotton.
While stress may not directly cause hair breakage, it can lead to temporary hair loss and habits like hair pulling (trichotillomania), which can contribute to breakage. Telogen effluvium, a common type of alopecia, is often linked to stress and hair damage.
How to fix it: Manage stress through healthy coping techniques.
Both underactive and overactive thyroids can affect hair texture and strength, making it more fragile and prone to breakage. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid disorder) can lead to excessive hair damage and loss.
How to fix it: Consult a healthcare provider to check thyroid levels if you experience unexplained hair breakage along with other symptoms like low energy, weight gain, and depression.
Nutrient deficiencies can impact hair health, leading to brittle, thinning hair prone to breakage.
How to fix it: Eat a balanced diet rich in protein, zinc, iron, and biotin. Consider a hair vitamin for extra support. Certain nutrients help your hair grow and stave off breakage from damage. Make sure you’re getting enough zinc, iron, and folic acid in your daily diet. Adequate protein and antioxidants (found in plant foods) can also keep your hair damage-free.
Eating disorders can cause malnourishment, leading to hair follicles not receiving the necessary nutrients to produce new hair.
How to fix it: Seek medical treatment for eating disorders.
Even with good hair care, infrequent trims can lead to split ends that travel up the hair shaft, causing breakage.
How to fix it: Get regular trims every 8 weeks, depending on hair length and texture, to remove split ends and prevent further breakage.
Preventing future hair breakage involves a combination of gentle hair care practices, proper nutrition, and addressing any underlying health conditions.
It’s important to distinguish between hair breakage and hair loss. Hair breakage involves the snapping of the hair shaft, while hair loss involves the shedding of the entire hair strand from the follicle.
To determine whether you’re experiencing breakage or loss, examine a strand of hair that has come out. If there is a small white bulb (the root) attached, it indicates shedding. If there is no root, it is likely breakage.
For most people, the main cause of hair breakage is poor haircare and grooming, including:
If these are causing your hair to break, it’s likely that only your hair will be affected. If the cause is more complex, you’ll probably have other symptoms as well.
If you’re unsure why your hair is breaking off - particularly if it’s in large volumes - speak to a trichologist.
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