How to Stop Hair Breakage and Shedding

Your beautiful hair should make you feel bold, confident, and vivacious. However, it’s tough to maintain that positivity when you see chunks of hair shedding from the scalp. Every time you brush your hair, you may notice an unusual cluster falling out in an alarming quantity. If it becomes a pattern, you might understandably worry about going bald or losing all your hair.

Hair shedding happens after every wash or styling session. However, it shouldn’t lead to significant hair breakage outside of severe cases. Typically, hair breakage occurs because the strands have damaged ends. The impact becomes worse when coupled with other symptoms like dryness and frizz. With the dry winter season coming soon, you risk losing more hair if the shedding goes unaddressed.

You might wonder if there was a way to grow healthy hair at home. The good news is an astounding yes! With proper hair care techniques and hair salon consultations, it’s possible to reverse the effects of severe breakage. However, it takes patience and dedication to achieve these results.

Let’s get you started in a sensible journey on how to stop hair breakage:

Use moisturizer when your hair is dry and breaking.

Dry hair is a condition you want to avoid. If you’ve ever combed through dry strands, the discomfort you feel is enough proof. Plus, dry hair can increase its brittleness and prevent growth. Different factors like heat, low humidity, and humid weather cause dryness. Washing with hot water also dries up the scalp.

Moisturizing daily works brilliantly when your hair is dry and breaking. The moisturizer protects the ends and reverses the effects of hair dryness. It nourishes and hydrates the scalp until your next wash. Beyond your moisturizing routine, use a hydrating shampoo on wash days and a leave-in conditioner when combing wet hair.

Get your hair trimmed.

Although the moisturizer is a potent remedy, you might need additional solutions to prevent hair from breaking off dramatically. Sometimes, getting a haircut is the only way to reverse the damage. First, you’ll need to identify the extent of your hair breakage and shedding. Blow-dry your hair and comb out at a 90-degree. If your ends narrow as you comb towards the ends, you might need a salon haircut.

Trim the shallow ends once every three months to stop hair breaking off. Depending on how brittle the strands are, you might need to cut your hair low. Although the hair grows from the scalp, the strands aren’t living tissues. Therefore, it’s impossible to repair the damaged hair strands. The good news is that you can grow back healthy hair after trimming. Seek professional advice from your hairstylist for the best haircuts.

Pick hairstyles that don’t cause breakage.

Do you experience hair loss after switching to certain hairstyles? Your choices could explain why you keep pulling out chunks of hair. Sometimes, you may opt for hairstyles that yank at the hair too tightly, increasing the risk of breakage. Styles like high ponytails, tight buns, and cornrows are notorious hair shedding causes. Instead, ask your hairstylist to recommend some protective hairstyles that are loose and comfortable.

Excessive colouring and bleaching can also damage your hair. Permanent colour, while appealing, involves using harsh chemicals to break down the hair proteins. To nurse your hair back to health, use the best products for hair growth and thickness in your regular routine.

Avoid toxic chemicals to stop hair breakage.

As mentioned above, bleach and permanent hair dye contain harsh ingredients that fragment the proteins in your hair cells. The more frequent the proteins disintegrate, the weaker your hair becomes. Relaxers are also notorious for causing hair damage from overuse.

To stop hair breakage and shedding, look out for toxic chemicals in your hair products. Some examples include formaldehyde, parabens, sodium chloride, dimethicone, and diethanolamine. They are known for drying out the hair and reducing elasticity.

Be gentle in your hair care.

After wash day, you grab your towel and fluff your hair until it’s dry enough to style. Unfortunately, the towel absorbs moisture and causes frizzy hair. In a wet state, your hair is the most vulnerable, so you have to be gentle. Use a microfibre towel to dry your hair instead.

While trying to stop further hair shedding and breakage, avoid heat styling as much as you can. Direct heat weakens the proteins that hold the hair tissues together, causing split ends. Use a wide-tooth comb for detangling. Also, try protective styles to guard your hair.

Eat healthy foods to help hair breakage.

Let’s assume you have a healthy haircare routine with the right products and habits. All those steps will prove futile if you don’t eat clean and get enough sleep. Studies show that increased stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone responsible for hair damage. However, frequent mindful habits like meditation lower the body’s cortisol levels.

Consuming a diet rich in protein and vitamins is crucial in reversing hair loss. Introduce foods like broccoli, milk, red meat, spinach, and nuts in your meals. Once you follow a healthier diet, you might observe positive signs throughout your body, including less hair breakage and shedding.

Stop overwashing hair.

It’s tempting to wash your hair almost every day if you maintain an active lifestyle. However, frequent shampooing will dry out the oils in your hair and cause shedding. Instead, stop overwashing your hair and switch to a lighter schedule. Try shampooing every other day or even less frequently if possible.

For 4C curl patterns, wash at least twice a month to maintain your curl patterns. For other hair textures, you can wash them weekly, depending on the hairstyle you wear. During each wash, use a sulphate-free shampoo. Remember to apply conditioner to your scalp and ends afterwards.