Why is my hair so prone to breakage?

Author: Mr. Wilton Kuvalis  |  Last update: Friday, July 11, 2025

What causes hair breakage? 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.

How do I stop hair breakage?

Using a blow dryer can help contribute to hair damage.
  1. Let your hair air dry when possible.
  2. Use the lowest heat setting.
  3. Limit the time a hot comb or curling iron touches your hair.
  4. Use these tools less frequently, aiming for once a week or even less often.

What type of hair is prone to breakage?

Fine hair is indeed more susceptible to breakage and mechanical damage than coarse hair (holding all other factors constant) since there's just a lower barrier to snapping/breaking when the hair strand is narrower.

Why does my hair rip out so easily?

Styling damage from excessive brushing and/or combing with sharp teeth and/or sharp bristle brushes. Damage from rough pillow cases, bed clothes, collars and/or other clothing which can rub against hair and cause it to fray. Excessive wet washing, rough towel drying, overexposure to sun, surf, weather, wind or similar.

Why does my hair keep ripping out?

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.

Breakage 101 - Causes & Solutions for Breakage in Curls

Which vitamin deficiency causes hair breakage?

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.

What does hair breakage indicate?

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.

Can hair breakage be repaired?

“You can improve the quality of hair after slight chemical damage using bond-building products that will rebuild the amino acid bonds that make up the keratin in hair, however, you cannot restore split ends or breakage in severely damaged hair,” details Caspara.

What am I lacking if my hair is breaking off?

Hair Breakage Prevention

Eat a balanced diet that includes iron, protein, and enough calories to sustain growth. Deal with stress and anxiety in healthy ways. Try not to wear hairstyles that pull the hair too tight. If you have medical illnesses, make adjustments to prevent breakage.

What hairstyle causes the least amount of breakage?

Top 5 Hairstyles To Prevent Breakage & To Help Hair Growth
  • Heatless Curls. ...
  • Bubble Pony. ...
  • Claw Clip Style. ...
  • Half-Up, Half-Down. ...
  • Loose Braid.

Why do I have a habit of breaking my hair?

Overview. Trichotillomania (trik-o-til-o-MAY-nee-uh), also called hair-pulling disorder, is a mental health condition. It involves frequent, repeated and irresistible urges to pull out hair from your scalp, eyebrows or other areas of your body. You may try to resist the urges, but you can't stop.

Does breakage hair grow back?

Will my hair breakage grow back? The good news is, yes, your damaged hair can grow back. After all, hair grows from the root, so don't eff it up by putting stress on your root.

How often should you wash your hair?

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.

What is the least damaging hair treatment?

Brazilian straightening is the least damaging hair straightening method thanks to the use of keratin and gentle formulas that respect the natural structure of the hair. By offering long-lasting results and improving the overall health of the hair, Brazilian straightening stands out from other straightening techniques.

What does excessive breakage look like?

What does hair breakage look like? Knowing when your hair is damaged is a special skill in itself. The main symptoms are broken hairs in your brush or drain, split ends, fly-aways, extreme dryness, a loss of volume, and tangles or knots after washing.

How to prevent hair breakage naturally?

How Do You Prevent Hair Breakage?
  1. Limit your wash days. ...
  2. Avoid super-hot water. ...
  3. Use a T-shirt to dry wet strands. ...
  4. Don't tug on tangles. ...
  5. Protect hair from heat. ...
  6. Let your hair air-dry partially. ...
  7. Try a different hairstyle. ...
  8. Use a hair-bonding treatment.

What deficiency causes dry brittle hair?

Vitamin D deficiency can manifest as dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Moderate to excessive shedding and thinning hair may also occur. Studies have even proven that low levels of vitamin D are also responsible for premature graying. Diagnosing vitamin D deficiency involves a simple blood test to check levels.

What hormone deficiency causes hair breakage?

Thyroid hormones

In most cases, you experience diffuse hair loss (thinning) over the entire scalp. Treating the thyroid disorder should restore normal hair growth, but it could take several months to see the difference, depending on where each follicle was in the growth cycle.

What is a hair pull test?

This simple test measures the severity of hair loss. During a pull test, a dermatologist grasps small sections of hair, about 40 strands, from different parts of the scalp and gently tugs. If six or more strands fall out, you have what's known as active hair loss.

Why shouldn't you pluck your chin hair?

Every time you pluck a hair from the root, it causes trauma to the follicle, resulting in inflammation. This often leads to a small spot at the sight of removal. Each hair you pluck also leaves an opening for bacteria, and how often do you clean your tweezers?

How to stop hair growth on body permanently?

You can reduce unwanted hair growth with the application of hair removal creams. However, in case of excessive hair growth, you may need to undergo laser treatments, electrolysis, or prescription creams that best suit your condition. Sometimes, you may also need hormonal treatment for any underlying health issues.

When you pluck a hair, what is the white stuff?

The "white gunk" you might notice in hair follicles is typically sebum, a natural oil produced by your sebaceous glands to protect and hydrate the skin and hair. Sebum, combined with dead skin cells and other debris, can build up around the hair follicle and harden, often looking like a white or yellowish gunk.

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