Hair breakage affects all types of hair, but in most cases, it is a temporary condition. It is the result of a lack of strength that can have different causes. Environmental changes, nutritional deficiencies and the use of certain products all affect hair strength. To determine if you are suffering from hair breakage, examine the tips of your hair. If split ends are easy to spot, chances are, your hair is breaking from other sections too. Frizzy hair is also a common sign of breakage. To prevent hair breakages, there are some simple steps you can follow:
Your Beauty Routine
Most people will use a lot of hair products: hair spray or styling mousse, for example. Try using those with fewer chemicals and give your hair one or two days of “rest” per week. Select a shampoo and conditioner that deeply moisturize. Instead of rubbing your shampoo through your hair, massage it to the scalp and rinse it through the hair. It’s better to avoid using a blow dryer on a daily basis. Too much heat can damage your hair, and even burn strands. If you are a fan of straightening or curling irons, try to limit their use. Once a week, use a hair thickening mask to repair damages. If you use coloring products, leave a two or three month period between colorings.
Periodical Trimmings
Getting rid of split ends is a very good way to maintain your hair’s overall strength. Lack of growth is also a sign that you need to trim your hair. When hair is weakened, it will not only stop growing but start breaking. Noticing a lot of hair in the tub after you take a bath? Make an appointment at your beauty salon for a trimming.
Manage Stress
Yes, stress affects hair too. If you start noticing your hair is breaking after a tense period at work, chances are, it’s related to stress. In extreme cases, your hair will start falling off at an alarming rate. If this is happening, you need to take action. Meditation, yoga or maybe a massage can help reduce stress.
Check Your Diet
Nutritional imbalances can result in hair thinning and breaking. Certain nutrients, such as omega 3 fatty acids are very important for hair health. Lack of zinc, iron or vitamin 3 can result in hair breakage too. Try adding fatty fish such as salmon to your diet on a weekly basis, and make sure you eat plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables. A healthy and balanced diet will help you maintain a healthy and shiny hair. Some supplements help nourish and strengthen your hair, but it is always best to ask for your doctor’s or nutritionist’s opinion.
Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Love the ponytail or tight bun? They may be the cause of your hair breakage. Tight hairstyles pull your hair from the root, and the use of certain elastics can damage hair strands. Try leaving your hair down for at least two or three days per week. It is also recommended to leave your hair down at night. Some experts even recommend sleeping on a silk pillowcase. Choose non-rubber hair bands, as rubber products tend to tangle around hair and break it.
Brushing and Untangling
Hair breaks easier when it’s wet, so avoid brushing. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb to smooth tangled areas slowly. Start from the bottom and work your way up. If you have curly or frizzy hair, you may experience more tangling, so a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray can help a lot. Over-brushing hair can be a cause for breakages too, so try to limit it to once or twice per day.
Be Careful With Towel-Drying
Usually, when we towel dry, we energetically rub our hair. As it was said before, hair tends to break more when it’s damp, so you want to go easy with the towel. Instead of rubbing, gently cover your hair and blot excess water. Some experts even suggest ditching the towel and using a cotton t-shirt.
Check Your Thyroid
If you are eating a healthy diet, trimming your hair every two or three months, and using conditioning and strengthening products to no avail, your thyroid may be to blame. Other symptoms of thyroid disorders include itchy skin and nail breakage. If you believe you are suffering from some kind of thyroid disorder, visit your doctor.
Unusual hair loss can be a sign of an underlying health condition. If you are experiencing hair loss at a fast pace, or if you find bald patches, it is important to pay a visit to the doctor and determine the causes.
