How To Stop Brittle Hair From Breaking

Dazzler

How To Stop Hair Breakage: Causes, Natural Treatments & More

Contributing writer

Past Andrea Hashemite kingdom of jordan

Contributing author

Andrea Jordan is a beauty and lifestyle freelance writer covering topics from hair and skincare to family and abode. She received her bachelor's in Mag Journalism from Temple University and y'all can observe her piece of work at meridian publications similar InStyle, PopSugar, StyleCaster, Business Insider, PureWow and OprahMag.

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May 29, 2021

If there'due south one thing that can brand having a skillful pilus day almost impossible information technology'southward dealing with hair breakage. If y'all notice that your strands are dry, brittle, and practically snapping in the blink of an eye, you're probably desperately searching for the solution for how to terminate pilus breakage fast. And thankfully, the answer is simple: You take to find out the cause of your hair breakage and address it there.

And since the infatuation with hot tools, dye jobs, and chemical processing is constantly on the ascent, don't fret; you're non alone in dealing with your hair breakage. It'southward really more common than we remember.

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That's why we tapped 2 hair experts to get the scoop on hair breakage, what it is, why it happens, and how to stop it ASAP.

In This Commodity

What is hair breakage & why does it happen?

According to celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimmons, hair breakage is a term used to describe the breakdown of an inner cuticle with overlapping scales that works to help the hair be bonded together.

"When the scales fall autonomously, the hairs become dry and separate from one another, which can result in split ends and shortened hair strands," Fitzsimmons says. He continues that if this blazon of harm isn't addressed, it tin atomic number 82 to total-blown hair breakage where strands fall out altogether. And we can guarantee, that'south not on anyone's hair goals wish list.

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Physical & chemical damage.

Fitzsimmons says at that place are two chief reasons for hair breakage: physical harm or chemical damage. Concrete impairment of the pilus tin include overuse of hot tools, over-washing, or fifty-fifty unhealthy habits similar improper towel drying, tension, or over-pulling.

As far equally chemical impairment goes, that's probable caused by treatments and dye jobs that push the hair past its limit. "When the hair is overprocessed, past its breaking bespeak, the hair's bonds can be hands damaged and go extremely dried out," Fitzsimmons says.

Dryness.

Which leads us to another main cause of breakage: dryness. Celebrity hairstylist Annagjid "Kee" Taylor says not getting enough wet on your strands will brand them breakable and susceptible to breaking. This is one of the reasons keeping moisture levels balanced in the hair and scalp is key to healthy pilus and proper hair growth.

And since those with naturally curly or textured strands tend to experience dryness more than directly, fine-haired folks, these pilus types can be more prone to hair breakage. Only Fitzsimmons says fine and thinner hair types should keep an eye out for excessive tangling and split ends, which tin can cause brittleness in texture and lead to farther damage all around.

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How practise I know if I'grand experiencing breakage?

Taylor says the quick and piece of cake exam to knowing if you're dealing with pilus breakage is to examine the strands of pilus that are falling out. "If the strands falling out are not as long as your hair'southward length and are much shorter, brittle, and broken into several pieces or split, your hair is breaking," she says.

Fitzsimmons says other signs of hair breakage are lack of sheen, split up ends, and visible texture differences. These can all easily stem from a lack of hydration in the hair, which, equally previously noted, is a main factor when it comes to hair breakage.

If you're not certain if you're dealing with shedding or breakage, Fitzsimmons recommends looking at the hair lost to decide the cause. "When you shed hair, yous volition oft run across a minor bulb-like attachment on the bottom of your hair strand that y'all won't run into with hair breakage," he says. "That little seedling normally indicates that it has come straight from the scalp, having essentially been shed off."

So, how do I stop hair breakage?

If your pilus is at the betoken where it's breaking, that ways harm has already been done. Pilus, dissimilar skin which is living, is much harder to tend to. However, you can address the breakage that's occurring right now and then it doesn't get whatsoever worse. This can exist washed with a ane-two dial of ii treatments: moisture and protein.

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It'south as well a good idea to reach for hair products that are rich in proteins and ingredients that accost reconstructing the hair bonds so they are stronger and have more ability to withstand physical and chemical stressors. For a natural protein source in hair care, look for hydrolyzed quinoa or soy proteins. (Here'due south a favorite from the squad: Aveda Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Handling, which has jojoba oil and quinoa proteins.)

But Fitzsimmons does note that information technology is imperative that yous combine hydration with whatever protein treatment for best results. "Hydration is needed to work with protein because too much protein tin can easily make the hair brittle."

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Can I forestall time to come breakage?

The brusk answer is yeah. The long answer is that taking intendance of your pilus thoughtfully will prevent breakage from occurring anyway. Adopting salubrious habits in your hair care routine can non merely help eliminate breakage, but it can preclude information technology from occurring in the first place, too.

If you lot like to oestrus style your hair, use a heat protectant. "Not merely does this help protect hair from the damaging effects of oestrus, just these products can also provide nourishing vitamins and nutrients to the hair to get in stronger," Fitzsimmons says.
Maintaining consequent trims is key to preventing breakage, too. Most pros recommend trimming your ends every 6 to 8 weeks to keep split and damaged ends to a minimum. (Run into our guide to getting your hair cut by length.)
If y'all're a supplement kinda gal or guy, consider collagen supplementation. "Since collagen delivers essential edifice blocks (i.east., amino acids) for keratin, the major pilus protein, taking collagen in supplement course will back up the hair from the inside out,*" Taylor says. Collagen peptide powders comprise a variety of amino acids—including many of the primary amino acids that make up your hair follicle and the bodily strains of pilus too.*

Bottom line.

Hair breakage is common merely can be avoided and improved upon if the right measures are taken. If you lot think you lot're dealing with hair breakage, protein and moisture are your best friends.* And it may not be a bad idea to lay off the hot tools and color jobs for a while. And of grade, adopting a healthy and consequent pilus care routine is e'er key to having good for you, strong strands from root to tip.