Nobody enjoys the sight of tangled hairs in their hairbrush, and the additional frustration of dealing with hair breakage can be disheartening. However, there are effective home remedies to address this issue. If you're looking for straightforward ways to prevent breakage at home, we've got you covered.
5 simple ways to fix hair breakage at home
These practical tips are designed to restore strength and vitality to your locks, helping you achieve healthier and more resilient hair. Without further ado, here are our top five home remedies to prevent hair breakage.
1. Coconut oil
Coconut oil is a renowned option for haircare routines. It is rich in fatty acids, particularly lauric acid. Lauric acid deeply penetrates the hair shaft, which may help strengthen your hair and potentially reduce hair breakage. Just take a few drops of coconut oil and apply it to your scalp and hair. Wear a shower cap for one hour, and then rinse it off and shampoo.
2. Aloe vera
Aloe vera is another great ingredient for hair. It contains an abundance of active compounds that may help strengthen hair and also prevent breakage, including fatty acids and amino acids, vitamins, and enzymes. What’s more, aloe vera is a natural moisturizer, potentially helping attract and retain moisture in your locks. Simply collect the gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf and apply it directly to your hair. Leave it in for at least one hour, and then wash it off with a mild shampoo.
3. Egg mask
Eggs are a powerhouse of beneficial compounds, making them an excellent choice for preventing hair breakage. Their rich composition may effectively nourish your strands and restore the shine to damaged hair. To create a simple yet strong treatment, mix 2 eggs with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Apply the mixture from root to tip, allowing it to sit for 30 minutes. Then, rinse thoroughly and proceed with your regular shampoo and conditioner routine.
4. Avocado
Avocado is super rich in vitamins and nutrients. It’s a great source of biotin, which may promote healthy hair. It also has magnesium and potassium, which may help seal cuticles, thus preventing hair from breaking. All you need is one ripe avocado and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil. Mix them well and apply them to your hair. Leave the mixture in for one hour, and then wash it off with a gentle shampoo.
5. Onion juice
Although this may not sound too tempting at first, onions are rich sources of sulfur, which can help promote keratin. Onion juice not only helps prevent hair breakage but also makes your hair healthier and stronger. You’ll need 2 tablespoons of onion juice and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix them up really well and apply the mixture to your scalp. Let it sit for 30 minutes and wash it off with shampoo.
What causes hair breakage?
Hair breakage can occur due to different environmental or health-related factors. Here are the most common causes of hair breakage.
- Heat styling tools. Excess heat is one of the most common causes of hair breakage. High temperatures may lift your hair cuticle and also strip your hair of its natural moisture, which leaves it prone to breakage.
- Lack of moisture. Dry hair is usually more prone to damage, especially in low humidity. If your hair is too dry, it won't be able to deal with environmental stressors and may start to break very easily.
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Tight hairstyles. Tight hairstyles are definitely not good for your hair. When you wear such styles over long periods of time, it can cause breakage. This is because too much pulling and tugging may weaken the hair shaft and ultimately cause hair breakage.
- Hard water. Hard water minerals can build up on your hair and scalp, making it hard to rinse out with shampoo. The buildup can also make your hair feel brittle and weighed down. Also, hard water can strip your hair of moisture, which leaves it dry and prone to damage.
- Genetics. Genetics also play a role, especially if you’ve inherited characteristics that can affect the resilience and strength of the hair shaft. Certain genetic variations like having finer hair or even a weaker hair cuticle can affect hair breakage.
- Brushing wet hair. When your hair is wet, it's usually much more vulnerable and tends to break easily. Brushing wet hair can cause unnecessary friction, so if you tug the strands too hard, you might cause hair breakage.
Side effects of hair breakage
Hair breakage goes beyond affecting the length of your hair. Its impact extends to the overall shine and texture, contributing to various problems such as:
- Loss of volume
- Dull appearance
- Split ends
- Flyaways
- Frizziness
- Dryness
Can hair breakage cause hair loss?
Hair breakage and hair loss are completely different. However, if hair breakage is severe, it might lead to a noticeable reduction in hair volume (thinning hair), giving the impression of hair loss.
Nonetheless, the hair follicles are usually still intact in cases of breakage, and with proper care, the hair can often recover.
Everyday tips for improving hair health
In addition to exploring natural remedies for enhancing hair appearance, it is crucial to establish and maintain a healthy haircare routine. Consider incorporating the following tips to boost the overall health of your hair.
1. Eat a healthy diet
There’s actually a lot to the saying “You are what you eat,” especially when it comes to your hair. Certain nutrients may help your hair grow and also potentially reduce breakage from damage. Therefore, ensure you’re getting enough iron, zinc, vitamins, biotin, and folic acid in your everyday diet.
2. Avoid heat styling
We already know that heat-styling tools can cause hair breakage. So if you want to avoid such damage, limit using heat tools. And if you do use them, always apply a heat protectant first. Also, try to dial back the settings and opt for lower heat settings if possible.
3. Sleep on silk pillowcases
Silk is usually gentler on your strands than other fabrics like cotton. It reduces friction which can result in fewer tangles and hair breakage. It also absorbs less moisture, which improves your hair's hydration and reduces frizzy hair when you’re sleeping.
4. Manage stress
Stressful events can trigger hair breakage. If you want to learn how to stop hair loss related to stress, you’ll have to look for healthy ways to manage stress. This could involve incorporating self-care practices, ensuring an adequate amount of rest, and exploring meditation. Also, make a conscious effort to take breaks and allow yourself moments of relaxation whenever stress becomes overwhelming.
5. Get regular hair trims
Getting regular hair trims can actually help your hair grow healthy and strong. Trimming removes split ends and improves the overall health of the hair. Trimming also removes damaged parts, which allows new hair to grow stronger. So, it's recommended to make a salon appointment every few weeks to have your ends trimmed.
It's completely normal to shed between 50 and 100 hairs every day. However, if notice excessive breakage, you should give the above tips a try. If hair breakage persists despite trying home remedies, it might indicate an underlying issue. In such cases, it's advisable to schedule an appointment with a doctor to rule out any potential medical concerns.
FAQ
What does hair breakage look like?
Hair breakage affects the length and overall texture of hair, leading to split ends, frizzy hair, loss of volume (thinning hair), and dull appearance, among others.
Can hair recover from breakage?
Yes. If there are no underlying hair concerns, the hair can normally recover with proper haircare.
Why did my hair break so easily?
Hair breakage can occur due to different environmental or health-related factors, such as heat styling, hard water, genetics, and others; however, it is entirely individual. If simple tips do not help with hair appearance, consult a professional to find out if there are underlying health concerns.
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There are several simple and natural ways to fix hair breakage at home, including using aloe vera gel, coconut oil, egg hair mask, avocado, or onion juice, among others.
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The most common side effects of hair breakage are loss of volume, dull appearance, split ends, flyaways, frizziness, dryness, and hair thinning.
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There are various factors that can cause hair breakage, such as lack of moisture, excess heat styling, tight hairstyles, genetics, and handling your hair roughly.
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Other tips to promote healthy hair may include eating a healthy diet, using silk pillowcases, managing stress, avoiding heat styling, and getting regular haircuts.
6 resources
- International Journal of Trichology. Hair cosmetics: an overview.
- American Academy of Dermatology. How to stop damaging your hair.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Hairstyles that pull can lead to hair loss.
- StatPearls. Traction alopecia.
- Dermatology and Therapy. The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: a review.
- Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists. The effect of grooming on the hair cuticle.
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