Hair breakage is a very common issue that everyone deals with at some point, and it can be caused by several different factors. Breakage can occur due to excessive heat styling, prelightening or coloring, chemical treatments, medications, environmental factors, tight hairstyles, etc. Once the hair breaks, there is no way to restore it. That is way preventing breakage is essential. Below is all the information you need to achieve the strongest and healthiest hair possible.
Common symptoms of hair breakage:
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Split ends
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Random short hair
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Uneven length
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Small pieces of hair breaking off when you brush it instead of full-length stands
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Hair stops growing at certain length
- Heat styling – it is so easy to overdo heat styling and damage the hair shaft using. A good quality heat protectant is not optional when it comes to heat styling. The hair cuticle is the outer layer of the hair, and once it is melted off by heat, it cannot be restored. Protecting that cuticle layer is step the first in preventing breakage. Make sure the temperature on your heat styling tool is reasonable. If you have fine hair, use the lowest heat setting possible. If you have resistant hair, you can increase the heat slightly, but not to the point where it smells like burnt hair after you have finish.
- Hairstyles – most people do not know that hair breakage can occur overnight. Excessive rubbing and tangling can occur while you sleep, and wearing a protective hairstyle at night is crucial for preventing unnecessary breakage. A loose braid or simply wearing a bonnet are two ways to practice this technique. Avoid wearing tight buns or ponytails everyday, and opt for looser styles or wearing your hair down when possible.
- Chemical Treatments/Hair coloring and lightening – Most people are aware of the fact that lightener is damaging to the hair, and the only foolproof way to avoid damage is to not lighten your hair at all. However, this isn’t realistic, so the most obvious solution is to try and lengthen the time in between your hair appointments but also making sure that your stylist (or you, if you are a stylist) is not overlapping bleach because that will cause breakage. Using a gentler color such as a semi permanent is generally better for the hair and leaves it feeling smooth if getting a solid color is something of your interest.
- Environmental Factors – Winters in Canada are extremely dry, and it isn’t uncommon for people to experience dryness, static and brittle ends. Static and dryness occur when hair lacks of moisture, so using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair and a hair mask once a week will prevent dryness. A leave in conditioner also aids in detangling wet hair and giving it that needed moisture that is missing. Remember that frequent hair trims are the only way to cut off those split ends!
To conclude, the secret to healthy, breakage free hair is to find strategies that work for you and that prevent it before it happens. It takes effort, time and dedication but it is worth it in the end.