Treating Severe Hair Breakage and the Key Tips to Follow

Severe hair breakage is frustrating and hard on your confidence. Here are the causes of hair breakage, how to treat it, and the key tips to keep it from coming back.

What is hair breakage?

Breakage happens when the hair shaft snaps, splitting the ends and shortening strands — usually from a dry scalp and damaged hair.

Causes of hair breakage

• Diet: too little zinc, iron, folate, protein or antioxidants.
• Stress: can trigger damage and telogen effluvium (shedding).
• Dryness: from dry weather, low humidity and excess heat.
• Heat damage: overusing dryers, flat irons and curling tongs.
• Chemical products: straighteners, perms and dyes, especially with repeated use.
• Over-washing: stripping the scalp’s natural oils.
• Rough towel-drying and tight hair ties that pull the hair.
• Over-brushing and fine-tooth combs.
• Skipping regular trims, letting split ends travel up the shaft.
• Hypothyroidism and eating disorders that starve the follicles of nutrients.

How to treat severe breakage

• Change your care routine: air-dry, and switch to gentle, low-chemical products.
• Use conditioner after every shampoo to reduce friction and tangling.
• Reduce stress with rest and relaxation.
• Improve your diet with protein, omega-3, iron, biotin and zinc.

Natural masks that help

Home remedies can improve hydration and softness alongside the steps above — for example: coconut oil; castor oil with coconut or olive oil; chamomile oil; 100% argan oil; a green-tea-and-coconut-oil mask; an egg-white, olive-oil, milk and lemon mask; aloe vera with almond oil; a garlic-infused oil; a diluted apple-cider-vinegar rinse; onion juice with coconut oil; or an avocado-and-egg-yolk mask. Use each roughly once or twice a week.

Tips to prevent breakage returning

• Always condition after shampooing, and rinse without rubbing.
• Wear a swim cap and rinse with a swim shampoo after pools.
• Blot or air-dry rather than rubbing with a towel.
• Limit heat tools, dyes and harsh chemicals.
• Change your hairstyle occasionally and use loose, gentle ties.
• Brush gently, and eat a balanced diet so hair gets what it needs.

Persistent breakage may signal a deficiency or scalp issue worth checking. Contact the clinic for guidance.