Skip to content

Hair Breakage - Causes Of Hair Breakage & Expert Tips To Fix It

Hair Breakage - Causes Of Hair Breakage & Expert Tips To Fix It

Hair Breakage can happen to you despite your hair type or texture. It is very common and can sometimes feel equally difficult to fix.

If you’ve ever noticed hair ends starting to split, or have experienced uncontrolled fizz, you’ve experienced hair breakage. A healthy hair strand has an inner cuticle with overlapping scales that keeps the strand intact. When these scales scatter and fall apart, the hair becomes dry and the scales eventually separate, leading to damage. This damage shows up in the form of breakage, frizz, and dryness. If you experience the following, you’re having hair breakage –

  • The appearance of split ends.
  • Hair fallout in form of small, short, and broken pieces of hair.
  • Hair becoming too dry.
  • Hair getting tangled and difficult to comb too often.
  • Hair at the crown feels brittle as compared to the hair at the neck.

Hair Breakage Reasons

The most common causes of hair breakage are discussed here.

  1. Diet

Hair and skin health are greatly driven by the kind of food intake. Some nutrients protect the hair from damage and help it grow better. Your diet must have an adequate amount of iron, zinc, and folic acid. Also, a protein-rich diet that can also provide antioxidants strengthens the hair and prevents breakage.

Also Read : How Can You Eat Healthy To Manage Your Hair Loss!

  1. Stress

Stress and hair loss go hand in hand. Stress is also a cause of hair breakage. Due to overstressing, hair follicles go dormant, and hair strands in the middle of growth break off.

  1. Dryness

Dryness precedes damage and breakage. Dry hair is caused by several natural factors such as dry weather, low humidity, and too much heat. Even harsh products that have chemical compounds can contribute to dryness. Using hot water for washing hair instead of lukewarm water also causes drying. If your hair ends are dry, you can let go of shampooing these areas. Also, do not skip the conditioner if you’re experiencing dryness in the hair.

  1. Heat Damage

The usage of styling tools such as flat iron, curling iron, and hairdryer is universal today. If these tools are used more frequently, the cuticles might get damaged due to exposure to high heat. The scales eventually fall apart and the hair breaks. You can opt for a heat-protecting spray to minimize the damage and avoid using such tools too often.

  1. Frequent processing

Frequently going for hair treatments and styling practices such as perming, colouring, straightening can damage the cuticle and cause hair breakage. These treatments expose the hair to harsh chemicals. You can try extending the duration between two such sessions to at least 2-3 months and use hair masks to nourish your hair in the meantime.

  1. Over-washing

If you have oily hair, washing your hair daily may rid the excess sebum. However, in the case of dry hair, shampooing can be limited to once a week. Shampoos often contain chemicals and an over usage can damage the hair. If you have a persisting oily hair problem, you can opt for a dry shampoo.

Also Read : How Often Should You Wash Your Hair

  1. Improper drying

Improper rough rubbing of the towel on the hair can cause damage as wet hair is most vulnerable to damage. You can opt for a microfibre towel and use patting motion instead of rubbing motion. You can also leave the towel for some time on the hair to absorb excess water instead of rubbing it.

  1. Tying the hair

Tying up the hair too regularly not just pulls them from the roots, it also causes them to get tangled and break easily. You might notice some hair breakage every time you undo a ponytail or a hair tie. You can try wearing down the hair once in a while, losing up the up-do a bit.

  1. Incorrect brushing

Over combing or over-brushing causes hair breakage. You must brush the hair only when styling it and use it only when it is dry. You should opt for a brush with natural bristles and use a wide-toothed comb to prevent hair breakage. Remember that 100 strokes a day is a myth!

  1. Inadequate hair trims

Hair trims keep split ends off and avoids tangling of hair, preventing hair breakage. Not having a trim every 6-8 weeks can cause the split ends to travel up the length of your hair.

  1. Hyperthyroidism

This is a low thyroid disorder and leads to dry, damaged hair. Other symptoms include low energy, weight gain, depression. If you see these symptoms get yourself checked on priority.

  1. Eating disorders

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa lead to malnutrition. In these situations, the hair follicle is deprived of the nutrients essential for the healthy growth of the hair. This causes hair breakage even in the middle of the hair growth cycle. Such disorders can lead to extreme consequences and must be addressed immediately.

Hair Breakage Treatment

You can boost the health of your hair by switching to the right products and adopting the right practices. A few hair breakage solution are discussed here -

  1. Change haircare routine

Swap your current shampoo with products that are herbal or formulated to address the hair breakage issue. Always use a conditioner after shampooing. Skipping the conditioner causes damage as the conditioner helps reduce frizz and lend manageability.

  1. Redesign your diet

A lot starts with what your food intake looks like. If you are having hair breakage, you must include vitamins C, D3, biotin, omega-3, iron, and zinc in your diet. These are available as dietary supplements as well as in abundance in natural food options. Vitamin C aids collagen production, which is responsible to form the base of blood vessels. Vitamin D3 enhances the production of the protein keratin, which makes up the hair. Biotin improves hair growth. Including vitamins in the diet can prevent hair breakage considerably.

  1. Destress

Stress is the main cause of hair fall and hair breakage. You must try to keep the stress levels in check. You can go for yoga and meditation. Engaging in a hobby also reduces stress levels.

  1. Deep condition your hair

During deep conditioning, the nutrients penetrate deep into the roots of the hair and repair the damage, replenishing the much-needed proteins and nutrients alongside. Deep conditioning frequently keeps the hair soft and is one of the best treatments for hair breakage.

  1. Use essential oils

Applying essential oils such as almond oil or chamomile oil can help in treating the hair breakage issue. You can use a carrier oil such as olive oil or coconut oil. Massage the scalp, leave it for about an hour and then wash off with a mild shampoo and conditioner.

Remember that the best products for hair breakage and loss are the products that suit your hair type.

Difference Between Hair Fall and Hair Breakage

Hair fall is a condition when the hair strands fall off from the root. The losing upto a 100 strands a day is normal hair fall. Certain conditions such as alopecia, hyperthyroidism, overstressing and certain practices such as over styling can aggravate hair loss. If you start to lose more than 150-200 strands of hair per day, then you are having abnormal hair loss.

Hair breakage, on the other hand, happens at the hair shaft and not the roots. You can identify hair breakage from prevalent split ends. This generally happens to dry and brittle hair. Hair breakage can be addressed easily. It does not cause balding and is not a problem as serious as abnormal hair loss.

Tips to Prevent Hair Breakage

To prevent hair breakage, you much make certain changes to your daily routine. This includes changes to hair care routine as well as certain daily practices. These are easy home remedies for hair breakage-

  • Use a shampoo and conditioner whose formulation is gentle on the hair. Do not scrub too hard, preferably use fingertips to rub the scalp.
  • Do not skip the conditioner after hair wash.
  • Whenever going for a swim, use a hair cap and swimmers’ shampoo for post-swim hair wash.
  • Do not scrub the hair dry using a towel. Try a cotton t-shirt and use a gentle tapping motion instead of scrubbing.
  • Try to air dry the hair when possible – limit the use of a hot blow dryer.
  • Brush your hair gently and avoid brushing too often.
  • Avoid pulling hard while braiding or tying the hair – opt for wearing down the hair or loose braiding styles. Change your hairstyle to one that is gentler on the hair.
  • Go for hair masks to keep the hair soft and pampered.
  • Go for hair trimming the ends of the hair every 6-8 weeks.
  • Use a heat protecting agent before blow-drying and styling.
  • Sleep on a silk pillowcase to avoid roughing up the hair while sleeping or wrap up the hair in a silk scarf before sleeping.
  • Have a balanced diet rich in vitamins.

Also Read : Vitamins For Hair Growth

Dry and frizzy hair means that you might be experiencing hair breakage. The good news is that hair breakage is easily addressable. It is recommended that you, eat good, maintain a good hair care routine and adopt a healthy lifestyle. This will provide your hair with the necessary nutrients and prevent breakage. If you see unusual hair breakage or abnormal hair loss, you must consult the dermatologist as this could be the symptom of an underlying medical condition.

Popular Articles

Effective Hair Fall Treatment For Men And Women | Shatavari Plant | Itchy Scalp | Telogen Effluvium | Ginger Powder | Shiny Hair | Hair Conditioner | Ginger Juice For Hair | Hair Smoothening | How To Increase Hair Volume | How Much Hair Fall Is Normal | Hair Rebonding | Role Of Nutrition In Hair Health | Scalp Psoriasis | Seborrheic Dermatitis | Postpartum Hair Loss | Female Pattern Baldness | Scalp Pain | How To Get Thick Hair Naturally | Layers Of Scalp

 Our Collections

Antioxidant Supplements | Anti Dandruff Products | Detox Tablets | Digestive Products | Hair Oils | Herbal Products | Immunity Boosters | Hair Care Products | Hair Treatment Products | Men's Hair Care Products | Hair Loss Treatment Plan For Female | Hair Fall Kit | Anti Dandruff Kit | Hairline Defender | Dth Blocker | Gut Health Supplements

Featured Blogs

Popular Posts

Related Posts

Quick Tips to Help You Make Your Hair Healthier, Fuller, Shinier.
Quick Tips to Help You Make Your Hair Healthier, Fuller, Shinier.
  Healthy, shiny and fuller hair sounds like a dream to most women, right? Well, Traya is here to give you some quick...
Read More
Quick Guide for Hair Health
Quick Guide for Hair Health
Hair is a sensitive indicator of our internal health. The level of our optimum nutritional status can be judged by th...
Read More
What Is Hormonal Hair Loss?
What Is Hormonal Hair Loss?
Hormones are chemicals in your body that regulate many bodily functions. Hormones, also known as "messengers," move v...
Read More
Say Goodbye To Dandruff With Lemon And Coconut Oil: A Comprehensive Guide
Say Goodbye To Dandruff With Lemon And Coconut Oil: A Comprehensive Guide
‍Are you tired of dealing with stubborn dandruff that just won't go away? Look no further than your kitchen pantry fo...
Read More
How Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss In Women?
How Vitamin Deficiency Causes Hair Loss In Women?
Vitamin deficiency hair loss is a common problem that many women face, yet often overlook the role of nutrition in th...
Read More
How Stress Can Cause Hair Loss In Women
How Stress Can Cause Hair Loss In Women
Stress and Hair loss 99% of the time go hand-in-hand. You might hear many people mention that their hair loss is beca...
Read More
Expert Opinion On How You Can Combat Hair Fall Due to Thyroid
Expert Opinion On How You Can Combat Hair Fall Due to Thyroid
Hair fall is one of the most common symptoms of thyroid. Hair loss caused can take a toll on an individual's self-est...
Read More
Can Calcium Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?
Can Calcium Deficiency Cause Hair Loss?
As a kid we've been learning to eat foods that are rich in calcium to develop good bone strength, teeth and muscles. ...
Read More

Latest Blogs

Vitamins To Regrow Your Hair Due To Postpartum Hair Fall by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Hormonal Hair Loss In Women: Causes, Treatment, Symptoms, & Prevention by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Vitamin Deficiencies That Cause White Hair: How To Prevent Them by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Hair Loss Due To Iron Deficiency: Symptoms, Treatment, & Growth Tips by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Natural Home Remedies To Avoid Hair Fall After Pregnancy by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Aloe Vera Oil For Hair: Benefits And How To Make It by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Vitamins To Treat Hair Loss Due To Thyroid by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Celebrities Who Are Affected By Postpartum Hair Loss by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Menopause Hair Loss: Causes, Treatment & Tips To Regrow Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Uses & Benefits Of Vitamin C for Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Tea Tree Oil For Hair Growth by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
How To Get Rid Of Dandruff with Coconut Oil by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
The Most Effective Scalp Oils For Every Hair Type by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
What Is Folic Acid? How It Promotes Hair Growth by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Men's Top Hair Care Products by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
How To Use Shatavari For Hair: Benefits And Side Effects by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Amla Powder For Hair: Benefits And Side Effects by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
The Absolute Best Hair Care Products For Women by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
9 Nourishing Essential Oils For Hair Health & Strength by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Do Biotin Tablets Help In Healthy Hair Growth? by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
How To Use Menthol For Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
How To Use Goat Milk For Hair Growth by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
The Best Hair Care Products To Strengthen Your Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Different Ways To Treat Hair Problems With Amla Powder by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Parabens In Shampoo: Are They Bad For Hair? by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
15 Proven Ingredients To Help Your Natural Hair: A Detailed Guide by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Minoxidil For Women's Hair Loss & Its Side Effects by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Zinc For Hair Loss, Can It Regrow Hair? by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Does Biotin Shampoo Really Work For Hair Loss Prevention? by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
6 Amazing Benefits Of Ginger For Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Benefits Of Applying Ayurvedic Hair Oil by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Benefits Of Herbal Hair Oil For Hair Care by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Improve Hair Growth With Minoxidil: Benefits & How to Use by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Black Seed Oil: How To Make And Use It For Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
How To Do Hair Spa At Home & Its Benefits For Your Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
How to Use Ashwagandha For Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Bhringraj Oil For Hair: Benefits, Effects & More by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
10 Most Harmful Chemicals Found In Your Shampoo by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Highly Effective Ways To Use Bhringraj For Hair by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
How To Use Ghee For Hair : Benefits & Side Effects by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach
Best Hair Growth Treatment by Zahra Lokhandwala, Hair Coach

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

Recommended Products