Hair breakage is essentially when your hair snaps or breaks from being over-stressed. If you have long hair, you’ll probably notice when this happens. It’s not a great feeling, and even the most beautiful hairstyles can look weird with broken hair. Thankfully, there are simple ways to prevent hair breakage and get stronger, longer locks. We all have different reasons for why our hair snaps or breaks: it could be due to stress from brushing too hard on a day where your natural oils aren’t as prevalent (or vice versa), a message overload of stress, or just because it’s that time of the month. But no matter what the reason behind it is, we can all work towards reducing the frequency in which our hair breaks. Whether you have short, medium or long locks, here are some simple tips that will help strengthen and grow your hair:
Don’t Shower Immediately After Exercising
Showering after a workout is a good thing, but not right after exercising. Hair grows from the roots, and when we work out, our hair follicles (roots) are opened up, increasing blood flow to the scalp. This is great because it’s what naturally cleans your hair follicles, keeping oil production at a healthy level. However, it also weakens our hair. Our bodies try to protect us from bacteria, and when bacteria are present, it makes our hair weaker. This is why many people experience hair breakage after visiting a public pool or being around a lot of people with a lot of germs. Because of this, it’s best to wait at least two hours before showering and touching your hair as little as possible. Your hair might feel a bit greasy (again, because of the excess oil), but it’s actually good for your hair. Extra oil is present to protect your scalp from infection and is recommended to be left in as long as possible.
Try a Shampoo and Conditioner for Damaged Hair
A shampoo and conditioner for damaged hair is a great way to get your hair back on track. They will have a lot of proteins, which will help strengthen your hair and reduce breakage. Choose a shampoo and conditioner that are free of sulfates and silicones, as they are very harsh on your hair and can make your hair fall even more. Another important factor in choosing the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair is the pH levels. The amount of alkaline and acids in shampoos and conditioners can greatly affect the pH levels of your hair. The pH levels of your hair affect the proteins that are in your hair and help maintain them. If your hair has a low pH level, it means that your hair is lacking enough protein and is more susceptible to breakage. So, if you use a shampoo or conditioner with a low pH level, it will make your hair even weaker and less healthy. On the other hand, if the pH level is too high, your hair will be too strong, which can make it brittle and itchy.
Use a Deep Conditioning Treatment Weekly
If you’re experiencing a lot of breakage in your hair, consider implementing a weekly deep conditioning treatment. This will help reduce breakage and strengthen your hair so that it doesn’t snap as frequently. What’s great about deep conditioning treatments is that they don’t require a lot of time, and you can choose the ingredients that you want in the treatment. If you have coarse, thick hair, consider adding some extra oils to your deep conditioner like jojoba or argan oil. Oils are a great way to strengthen coarse or thick hair. If you have fine hair, avoid applying oils to your hair as they can make hair greasier, which can lead to more breakage. Instead, try adding things like egg yolk, honey, and avocado to your deep conditioner for fine hair. These ingredients are great for strengthening and moisturizing fine hair.
Include Proteins in Your Daily Routine
Since hair grows about half a centimeter per month, it’s wise to think about what you’re doing month-to-month when it comes to hair care. If you’re experiencing a lot of breakage but your hair has always been thick, consider adding extra protein to your daily routine. Protein is essential for growing new hair and keeping it strong. The problem is that many of us have an excess of protein in our systems already, so we aren’t getting enough protein to strengthen our hair. If you have coarse or thick hair, consider adding more lean protein to your diet, like eggs, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and almonds. If you have fine hair, don’t worry about adding extra protein to your diet. Instead, make sure you are drinking enough water and eating plenty of healthy fats and fiber. Water is essential for keeping your hair strong since it is about 90% water.
Don’t Forget to Brush!
Brushing your hair is an essential part of taking care of your hair. However, you need to be gentle when brushing your hair. Avoid using a brush that has plastic or metal bristles as these can break off your hair. Instead, choose a wooden-handled brush that won’t break your hair. If you are experiencing a lot of breakage, try brushing your hair less often. Focus on brushing your hair before you go to bed. Brushing your hair before bed stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which means more oil production. If you have coarse hair, consider brushing more often as coarse hair doesn’t absorb oil as fast as fine hair.
Conclusion
Hair breakage is something everyone experiences, but it can be prevented with the right care routine. If you’re experiencing a lot of breakage, try some of the simple tips above to help strengthen and grow your hair. Brushing your hair before bed and avoiding showering immediately after exercising are just two simple ways you can prevent hair breakage. They don’t seem like much, but they can go a long way in growing healthier, longer hair. So, don’t forget to take care of your hair, too, and it will take care of you!
Leave a Reply