8 Common Causes of Hair Breakage and How to Stop It
By Kaleigh Fasanella. Photo by: Kyle Ericksen.
Unlike shedding, which can fluctuate based on factors like the seasons changing, hair breakage tends to be more of a cut-and-dry issue. Meaning: There are more concrete reasons why breakage occurs and how you can keep it from happening. Things like a too-tight ponytail, perennially pulling at your hair, and styling while your strands are still wet, for instance, are just three common (and easily fixable) things that can contribute to snapping. And who, I ask, has time for that?
The good news is that keeping breakage at bay is totally doable, especially if you're aware of all the common causes, and can, in turn, avoid them at all costs. Thus I tapped three hair experts to help us decipher the main reasons strands snap, plus how to do damage control. Scroll on for the deep dive.
1. Lack of moisture
Without optimal hydration, the hair is much more prone to breakage, so you want to ensure you're giving your strands the TLC they deserve. According to Suave Professionals Celebrity Stylist Jenny Cho, your hair routine should start with the right shampoo and conditioner that provides ample moisture. "I'm loving the Suave Professionals Avocado and Olive Oil Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner as it uses two ingredients that not only hydrate but also add a lot of shine," she explains.
Something else you should take into account is whether you're subjecting your hair to hard water, which contains chlorine and heavy metals which is harmful to the hair. Hairstylist and founder of Orlando Pita Play, Orlando Pita explains that it can lead to cuticle damage and high porosity, subsequently weakening the stands and resulting in breakage. Investing in a showerhead filter is a simple way to combat this issue, as they're designed to filter out the hard water, leaving the hair stronger and with more luster.
2. Heat Styling
It's no secret that heat styling makes strands weaker over time, meaning hair becomes more prone to damage like breakage. And as you might imagine, it's even worse if you don't use any heat protection. If you're an everyday heat styler, try switching things up and only using hot tools once or twice a week, because trust me: It could seriously save your strands. What's more, applying some sort of protective product (Cho swears by the Shu Uemura Blow Dry Beautifer BB Serum) is crucial for preventing breakage when you do cave and use your hot tools.
3. Chemical Processing
Anyone who colors their hair on the regular understands what a struggle it can be to keep hair healthy and strong, as the constant over-processing contributes directly to breakage. Cho explains that some with severe cases may even need to make a major change (i.e. a dramatic chop) so that the hair has a fresh start and a chance to grow back in its virgin state. You can also try salon-grade treatments such as Olaplex 3 to nourish the hair and rebuild the broken bonds.
4. Sleeping on a Cotton Pillowcase
Believe it or not, your beloved cotton pillowcase could be causing your hair to break off more than usual, as it creates friction between the hair and the fabric while you sleep. Instead, invest in a satin or silk 'case, which cuts down on the aforementioned snagging while you snooze. All of these pillowcases were specifically designed with hair (and skin) health in mind.
5. Towel Drying
While it might feel like the instinctual thing to do post-shower sesh, tying your hair up in a towel can actually lead to major tangling and breakage issues. (Ain't nobody got time for that.) Instead, swap out your towel for an old, soft T-shirt or a paper towel, both of which prove equally absorbent.
6. Over-Washing
This one goes hand-in-hand with the moisture factor, as the more you cleanse your hair, the more it's stripped of the natural oils it needs to stay in tip-top shape. Celebrity colorist and creative director of dpHUE, Justin Anderson, recommends using his line's Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse, which acts as shampoo and conditioner substitute and is actually formulated with strand-strengthening proteins.
7. You Skip Regular Haircuts
If you avoid cutting your split ends, eventually they might just break off. Make sure to keep regular haircuts on your calendar for healthier, break-resistant hair.
8. You Need More Nutrition
Your hair needs protein to stay strong. Protein can repair weak spots in the hair shaft, warding off breakage. But be forewarned: Too much protein can make the hair brittle, and too much moisture makes strands too flexible. It's important to find the right balance of moisture and protein.
This story originally appeared on Allure.
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