Have you noticed strands snapping off everytime you run your comb through your hair? Do you avoid hairstyles because your hair is thin? If so, this guide will provide a detailed look into the matter.
Hair breakage has become a widespread issue, especially among women, who experience weak and brittle hair that splits and snaps. Whether stress, poor care, harsh products, damaging hair styling, or underlying health concerns cause it, many solutions can bring your hair back into a healthy texture.
This article will explore the common causes of hair breakage, symptoms and effective treatments to help revive your healthy, strong hair.
What Is Hair Breakage
Hair Breakage Vs Hair Shedding – What’s The Difference
People often overlook the difference between hair breakage and shedding, which leads to misunderstandings about their hair problems. The table below highlights the key differences:
| Feature | Hair Breakage | Hair Shedding |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Damage to hair shaft | Natural process of hair falling out from the scalp |
| Appearance | Short, broken strands | Long strands with white bulb-like structure at the root |
| Triggered by | Heat, chemicals, dryness | Hormones, stress, seasonal changes |
| Growth | New hair grows from the follicle | Usually regrows naturally |
What Causes Hair Breakage?
A common question is: Why is my hair breaking off? The answer involves a mixture of external and internal reasons.
Heat Damage
Straighteners, curling tongs, and hair dryers often cause hair breakage due to heat. The hair gets damaged, often leading to a thinner appearance in women due to reduced hair mass.
Due to excessive heat, the hair cuticle breaks, making the hair strands more prone to fractures and consuming the natural hair moisture.
Chemical Treatments
Bleach, relaxers, hair keratin treatments, and other harmful chemicals weaken the hair protein bonds, make them dry out and increase the possibility of extreme hair breakage if not properly managed or rehydrated.
Some hair coloring products are safe, so discuss new products with your stylist.
Tight Hairstyles
People usually tie their hair back in tight ponytails, braids, and weaves, or using elastic bands, all this can lead to hair breakage from the root. This often causes hair to break off at the top becoming a common concern.
Regularly wearing these tight styles can lead to traction alopecia, a temporary hair loss that can become permanent.
Vigorous Towel Drying
Many people unintentionally damage their hair by vigorously drying their hair with towels after washing. Rubbing wet hair aggressively creates friction in the hair shaft, resulting in severe breakage and thinning with time.
To avoid this, wrap your hair gently in the towel or soft cotton cloth and squeeze out the water. This can also prevent tangling and knots.
Stress & Hormonal Imbalances
Stress is one of the primary reasons for hair breakage that give rise to poor hair care practices, harmful habits like hair pulling, inflammation of the hair follicles, and other issues that make hair more likely to break.
Stress can also exacerbate issues like hypothyroidism and PCOS, which contribute to poor scalp health, and uneven growth cycles.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia can cause visible changes in your hair due to inadequate nutrition. This leads to hair breaking off in middle sections or near the scalp. These conditions are serious health problems that require immediate doctor’s consultation.
If you are battling with an eating disorder, switch to a balanced, nutrient-rich diet, significant for hair growth and quality of life.
How Does Breakage Affect Different Hair Types?
Different hair textures respond differently to hair damage. The table below points out how hair breakage affects each hair type and what you can do to prevent hair breakage effectively.
| Hair Type | Breakage Characteristics | Care Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Straight Hair (Type 1) | Breaks near ends, appears sturdy but prone to breakage | Minimizing heat styling, use silk pillowcases |
| Wavy Hair (Type 2) | Frizz, prone to snapping if brushed vigorously | Avoid over-brushing, use conditioner |
| Curly Hair (Type 3) | Prone to breakage along the shaft, often with a dry & rough texture | Finger-detangle, use hydrating masks weekly |
| Coily Hair (Type 4) | Breaks due to coiled structure, most likely to occur at the crown | Keep hair wet, use protective styles, avoid tight braids |
Where Can Hair Breakage Occur?
Hair breakage occurs at multiple points over the hair strand. Here’s a breakdown of common areas and how it looks.
| Breakage Location | Common Causes | Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| At The Crown | Tight ponytails, buns, braids, or twists | Uneven and messy look on the top of the head |
| At The Root | Excessive use of extensions, strain from tight hairstyles | Less common; typically seen in newly grown hair |
| On Top Of The Head | Over-brushing, heat styling products, chemical treatments | Prone to damage from high temperatures, chemical straightening |
| Around The Hairline | Friction from hats or headbands | Shorter, finer hair seen around the corners of your face |
| At The Back Of The Head | Sleeping on rough pillowcases, hairstyles exerting pressure | Breakage mainly concentrated at the back of the head |
| At The Front Of The Head | High heat from heated styling tools (straighteners, curling irons) | Hair becomes short and damaged at the front of the head |
| At The End | Lack of moisture (oils, conditioners) | Most vulnerable site; visible as split ends and thinning |
What Does Hair Breakage Look Like?
If the hair breakage symptoms are spotted early, then it can help you to take steps that reverse the condition before it gets worse. Some common symptoms of hair breakage are as follows.
How To Stop Hair Breakage Naturally?
Many natural treatments can help you stop hair breakage. Some of them include;
Weekly Home Remedies
Natural mixtures that nourish your hair and decrease brittleness include aloe vera gel, egg mask, yogurt and honey mask, and coconut oil massages.
Always apply a mask to clean, damp hair, then wash with cold water for the best results.
Foods & Habits For Strong Hair
For strong built hair, consume:
- Iron-rich foods like lentils, spinach, and red meat.
- Vitamin A and E support scalp health.
- Omega-3 fatty acids aid the growth of lustrous hair.
- Add protein from chicken and eggs to regenerate the damaged hair.
- Add biotin and zinc to decrease hair thinning.
Drink 8-10 glasses of water to stay hydrated and protect your hair from damage.
Sleep & Protection Habits
- Use silk pillowcases to decrease friction and hair breakage.
- Avoid tight hairstyles or buns while sleeping.
- Protect your hair from sunlight and environmental damage by wearing hats or using leave-in conditioners to retain moisture.
What Is The Best Hair Treatment For Breakage?
Whether it is mid, moderate or severe hair breakage, selecting the right hair breakage treatment makes a difference.
Medicines
Many medicines are applied directly to the scalp. Minoxidil comes under first-line treatment, often used for diffuse thinning. For male pattern baldness which is more prominent along the crown or hairline, doctors recommend Finasteride, Dutasteride, and Minoxidil.
Hair Transplant
While not a direct treatment for existing hair breakage, a hair transplant can help in significant hair thinning or loss that may result from severe breakage. The doctor will remove the thick strands from one area of the scalp and transplant them into areas with thinning hair.
Platelet-Rich Plasma
Like hair transplants and certain medications, PRP primarily targets hair growth and reduction of hair loss, which can indirectly lead to stronger, less breakable hair.
This invasive procedure involves drawing blood and separating the plasma. The platelet-rich plasma will then be injected into the scalp. This initiates new hair growth and reduces hair loss.
How To Fix Hair Breakage After Bleaching?
Bleach consists of chemicals that harm your hair and lead to breakage. You can fix hair breakage from bleach in several ways:
- Hair Conditioning – The bleach can dry your hair, so washing and conditioning are essential to restore moisture.
- Use Coconut Oil – This prevents protein loss when used before or after washing.
- Choose Highlights Over Bleach – Highlights expose less hair to harmful chemicals.
- Natural Hair Color – Try to embrace the natural color of your hair and avoid the risk of bleach damage.
Is Hair Breakage Normal or a Medical Concern?
Hair breakage after using heat styling products is common, but excessive or sudden breakage can be the result of a medical issue.
When Hair Breakage Is Considered Normal
Normal hair breakage occurs due to:
- Mechanical damage or minor breakage due to seasonal changes.
- Chemical treatments cause split ends or dull strands.
- Over brushing or styling that allows hair to break loose.
When Hair Breakage Becomes A Medical Concern
When hair breakage is due to hypothyroidism, scalp irritation, PCOS, then it is a serious medical concern. Other concerns include iron deficiency, chronic stress, or autoimmune conditions.
How To Choose Shampoo For Breakage Hair?
The right shampoo can nourish and strengthen your hair and helps in repair during breakage issues.
Ingredients to Look For
During shopping, choose shampoos that contain keratin to strengthen the strands, biotin to enhance thickness, collagen to improve strength, Vitamin B3 (niacin) for scalp health, and oils to prevent moisture loss.
Ingredients to Avoid
Avoid shampoos with sulfates that strip hair color, alcohol that dries it out, preservatives can lead to long-term damage, and parabens or fragrances that irritate the scalp.
How Long Does It Take For Breakage Hair To Grow Back?
The hair mostly grows back at a rate of 6 inches per year. If your hair is falling out or damaging, consult a healthcare professional to discuss the underlying cause. If the hair loss is due to a medical condition, go for treatment as soon as possible to recover your hair.
How Does Scalp Health Affect Hair Breakage?
A healthy scalp makes an ideal environment for strong hair follicles and growth. Inflammation can lead to hair strands falling off and thinning over time. Scalp Inflammation can cause dryness and irritation, exacerbate shedding and make roots more likely to premature breakage.
Exfoliating scrubs, scalp massage, and scalp serums can smooth the scalp, promote circulation and remove dead skin cells. This will prevent hair breakage from root tip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I suddenly have so much breakage in my hair?
The reason can be poor diet, any health condition, stress, extreme hot weather, UV exposure, use of chemical or hair styling products.
What deficiency causes hair breakage?
The deficiency of Vitamin B7, iron, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D can make your hair dry and brittle and prone to breakage.
How to fix broken bonds in hair?
Make sure to use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, reduce chemical treatments and the use of heat styling tools.
Can too much oil cause hair breakage?
Too much oil can cause accumulation on the scalp and hair, making them prone to breakage. It can clog pores and trap the dirt.
Should I cut my hair if it’s breaking off?
If your hair is severely damaged, cutting it can promote healthier growth. Trimming individual broken strands also helps.
Can low iron cause hair breakage?
Iron deficiency also known as anemia can cause hair loss and brittle hair. Due to inadequate iron, the hair growth cycle gets affected.
