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Why is my hair breaking off?

Why is my hair breaking off?

We all suffer from breaking hair from time to time. Why does this happen? And can you prevent it? The tips in this blog will help your hair grow back healthy and less likely to break off.

Cause of breakaway hair

Breakaway hair is basically damaged hair that does not grow. It often shows short, spiky, dull tufts at your hairline. In damaged hair, the hair cuticles on the hair shaft are damaged; there are several causes for this. One of the best-known causes is too much friction on the hair shaft. Here you can think of a rough towel you use to dry your wet hair with. Another common cause is that the hair is damaged by (hot) styling tools. Think of curling or styling your hair with hot tongs, blow-drying too long and too hot or, for instance, extensions. Hot styling tools can damage your hair considerably, especially if your hair is already dry. This is because the heat dries out your hair even more, making it more vulnerable. This increases the chances of split ends, broken hair and hair loss. This also applies to extensions. If you leave your extensions in too long, they become too heavy for your own hair and this can cause your hair to break off. Chemical treatments also damage your hair (straightening, bleaching, perming, dyeing, etc.).

Tips to prevent hair breakage

It is annoying to have breakaway hair and you want to get rid of it as soon as possible. We have therefore listed some good tips for you.

  • Rubbing your wet hair dry with a towel is bad, you can replace the towel with a T-shirt or a microfibre towel. This is because your hair is very vulnerable when wet, this is because the hair absorbs a lot of water and this temporarily breaks the bonds that hold the hair firmly together. A towel is made of terry cloth, aka cotton which is woven into loops. This fabric absorbs extra fast and a lot of moisture. The towel actually only absorbs too much moisture. In fact, it absorbs so much moisture that it makes hair dry out. On top of that, terry cloth is quite rough, and this causes too much friction on the scalp which damages the hair cuticles. Here, it is also important that you do not seek friction. Therefore, try to pat your hair dry, thus avoiding the friction that damages the cuticle.
  • Another tip to prevent hair breakage is to use as few hot styling tools as possible. The heat dries out your hair, making it more fragile and prone to breakage. If you still prefer to use hot styling tools, it is smart to use a heat protector for your hair, either in spray form or as a serum. These products apply a protective layer to your hair so that the heat does not reach the core of the hair.
  • Put your hair dryer on the cold setting. It will take a little longer for your hair to dry, but you will prevent breakage.
  • Getting your dead ends cut is important for healthy hair. If you don't go to the hairdresser regularly to have this done, the ends (and maybe more) of your hair will break off on their own at some point. And you don't want that, of course.
  • Use a hair mask or a good conditioner regularly, just be careful about the ingredients. It is important to avoid products with harsh chemicals in them. Bad chemicals can only dry out your hair more and eventually break it off. Think of silicones, parabens, microplastics or SLS. These substances can irritate the scalp, disrupting the balance between your scalp and hair.
  • When combing your hair, it is very important to pay attention to which brush you use. Is your hair still wet? Then use a brush specially made for wet hair. It is also good to know that you should always brush your hair from the bottom up. This way you put less weight on your head and prevent your hair from breaking off. So start at the ends and gradually work your way up.
  • The golden tip for when your hair breaks off really quickly: replace your cotton pillowcase with a satin or silk one, this can really make a difference. This is because these fabrics are very smooth, and will damage your hair - unlike the rougher cotton your pillowcases are often made of - less easily, as there is hardly any friction. Thus, your hair cuticles will not break as easily, keeping your hair beautiful and healthy.

Nurture your breaking hair from within

Every hair is different and needs different care. Generally, you care for hair from the outside. You use products to put in your hair or treat your hair differently. However, you can also care for your hair from the inside. Then think about;

  • nourishment and
  • hydration

When looking at nutrition, you can do a lot for your hair. Taking vitamins, for example, think about the vitamins: zinc, vitamin A, C, E and biotin. Vitamin A is important for hair because it ensures optimal cell growth. Vitamin E helps produce vitamin A oils that are good for the scalp. Vitamin C ensures iron production, which combats brittle and fragile hair. It also provides good blood flow to your scalp, distributing nutrients to promote healthy hair growth. Looking at biotin, this ensures good hair condition. But good hair nutrients can also simply be found in (green) vegetables, fish, nuts and poultry.

If we look at hydration, it is important to get enough moisture. Every hair consists of 10% moisture. If you don't get enough moisture, it will definitely affect your hair. If your hair is dehydrated, you may notice this by split ends or because it barely grows and gets greasy quickly. Your hair will look duller and the risk of breakage will increase. Exactly how much water you need depends on several factors. But try to drink around one and a half to two litres a day.

Good care and a lot of patience

These tips will help you take the best care of your hair and prevent breakage. Of course, it is important to know that you won't see results right away, it will take some time. Now that you know why your hair is breaking off, you know that it is important that you pay attention to nutrition and treat your hair carefully and damage your cuticles as little as possible.

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