If your hair is too dry and not well-nourished with the proteins and vitamins it needs, it's unable to deal with environmental and styling stressors, and will start to break. Heat and chemical treatments along with using excessive heat during styling also weaken your hair, stripping it of its natural protection.
Your broken hairs may be a result of a combination of the following issues: Rough, aggressive brushing – especially when your hair's fragile and wet. Using products which aren't suitable for your hair type – especially if you have thick hair which needs extra hydration.
The interior of the hair gives it strength and shape so when you damage it that is what you lose. It is often caused by hair coloring/bleaching, perms, relaxers, and heat. If your hair is stretchy when wet and breaks easily it has probably sustained too much damage to the cortex.
To help keep your hair healthy, it's best to avoid tight hairstyles (including ponytails, tight buns, and braids) whenever possible. If you do choose to wear your hair up, secure your style with a silk hair tie or scrunchie, which place less tension on the hair than ultra-tight elastics.
Split or broken hair strands can be caused by a range of factors, including diet, products, hair routine, hair styling, life factors and sleep. The best anti-hair breakage products include low-temperature heated styling tools, detangling brushes and moisturising conditioning treatments.
"Lack of moisture can contribute to hair breakage, so I recommend using a weekly deep conditioning mask formulated for your hair type, such as a mask for dry or damaged hair.” He also recommends blow-drying your hair from damp (or at least 70% dry)—and never while it's dripping wet.
In most cases, this will lead to your hair eventually breaking off, resulting in uneven, thin ends. In severe cases, a split end that is picked and splits all the way to your scalp, can result in follicular damage.
Fine: thin and fragile with two layers – the cortex and the cuticle – becoming oily and greasy quickly, and breaking more easily than thicker hair. Medium: has more volume than fine hair, is less prone to breakage and holds styles better.
The time it will take to repair damaged hair follicles is entirely relative to the extent of the damage. If it's seriously frazzled, then you might have to just wait for it to grow out, so this will depend on how quickly your hair grows.
If it stretches significantly and breaks, your hair is likely damaged and lacks elasticity. If it stretches a lot without breaking, it may be over-moisturized or lacking protein.
This simple hair strand test can be helpful in determining the hair's current condition and needs. Take an inch of your hair and stretch it, if it doesn't stretch or breaks, feels dry and rough, it is brittle/damaged and needs moisture treatment.
Generally, he says, the range is somewhere between once a day and once a week. “If you have very fine or thin hair, you may need to wash more often, while those with thick or curly hair may need to wash less often,” says Dr Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a double board certified dermatologist and hair health expert.
Environmental factors: Exposure to environmental stressors like wind, sun damage and pollution can damage the hair cuticle, making it more prone to splitting. Skipping trims: If you don't get a regular trim, split ends can travel up the hair shaft, making them more difficult to manage and leading to further damage.
No Visible Pattern. With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.
Hair breakage is usually caused by a lack of moisture and depleted nutrients in hair strands. If your hair is too dry and not well-nourished with the proteins and vitamins it needs, it's unable to deal with environmental and styling stressors, and will start to break.
Vitamin D.
Vitamin D is essential for creating the cells that develop into hair follicles. It also supports healthy bones and your immune system. If you have hair loss and low vitamin D levels, your doctor may recommend vitamin D supplements.
However, if you're looking for a general rule of thumb, many stylists agree that most people should have regular trims between every 6 weeks and every 12 weeks. However, these timings might need to be adjusted according to many different hair situations, which you can learn more about below.
Causes of Damaged Hair
Here are some of the most common: Overwashing: Washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness and damage. Over-processing: Using a lot of heat styling or chemical treatments, such as bleaching, can also damage your hair.
If your hair is prone to splitting and breaking, you may have dry hair that's crying for moisture. Use hydrating hair shampoo and hair conditioner, and indulge in a weekly hydrating hair mask. You can make it yourself, using ingredients like coconut oil, almond oil, aloe vera, honey, avocado, banana, or olive oil.
Brushing wet hair is usually not recommended. It's better to brush hair that's fully dry because there's less chance of causing breakage or damage, and your range of brush options is much larger.