My hair is breaking, what should I do?

Thick, shiny, flowing curls, capable of changing fates, as in advertising, seem to owners of brittle hair an unattainable luxury. But we believe: with the help of competent care, almost any hair can be given a chic look.

Why hair breaks: the main reasons

“Hair is like a book,” trichologists like to say. They can tell a lot about a person. Any problems in the body, dietary flaws, bad habits – all this affects the condition of the hair and can make them brittle, thin, dry and dull. It happens that the hair breaks, breaks and becomes thinner at the roots, sometimes from the middle. The exact cause will be established only by a specialist – trichologist, therapist or endocrinologist. And we can only guess why hair breaks.

Health problems

  • Often the cause of brittle hair in women is anemia: due to a lack of iron, cellular functions in the tissues are inhibited. The scalp also suffers, the structure of the hair changes – and now they are no longer alive and shiny, but very brittle and dry.

  • Curls also deteriorate with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. For example, due to problems with the intestines, the absorption of important vitamins and minerals worsens. And our wise body allocates resources so that, first of all, they go to vital organs, so hair and nails sometimes get almost nothing.

  • Oddly enough, brittle hair can appear even against the background of caries or chronic sinusitis. Not to mention diseases of the endocrine and excretory systems.

In general, if the hair breaks and falls out for a long time, the first thing to do is to consult a therapist. He will send you for tests, and then to specialized specialists.

Any problems in the body, flaws in nutrition, bad habits – all this is reflected in the condition of the curls. © Pexels

Improper nutrition and strict diets

И то, и другое приводит к нехватке важных питательных веществ (а чтобы они доставались волосам, в организме их должно быть в избытке). В итоге волосяные луковицы голодают, ослабевают, волосы начинают ломаться — бывает, даже с середины длины. Сложнее всего вегетарианцам. Ведь для правильного формирования волоса нужны белки и жиры животного происхождения. Если в меню есть молочные продукты и яйца, этого вполне достаточно, а вот веганам нужно обязательно принимать препараты железа и витамины группы В. А вообще, если хотите предотвратить ломкость волос, питайтесь разнообразно!

Stress

As in the case of nutrition, the body primarily supports vital systems, and hair is often “extreme”. In addition, stress is accompanied by the release of adrenaline, which has a vasoconstrictive effect. Already 5-7 days after a strong shock, the hair may begin to fall out – or change for the worse, deteriorate. After strong emotional shocks, they also grow poorly.

Coloring and styling

Unfortunately, staining damages curls. Paints lift the cuticle scales so that the coloring pigment can penetrate inside, to the shaft, and this is a serious injury for the hair. Considering that many people go to the salon once a month and a half to cover their gray hair, you can understand why split ends and dry, broken and dull strands appear.

Hair dryers, irons and curling irons are also unsafe for hair. From regular thermal exposure, the hair dries, is damaged, becomes porous and, as a result, brittle. Dermatologist, trichologist Maria Nevskaya recommends a simple test: “Take a lock of hair in your fist and squeeze, tug. If there are hairs without a bulb in the hand, then the hair is breaking. What to do? Try to eliminate or at least significantly reduce procedures such as blow-drying and thermal styling. And it is also desirable to wait with coloring.

Mistakes in care

Inappropriate shampoo, neglect of balm and masks, and even the wrong hair washing technique can cause curls to become brittle and brittle. Yes, and any hairpins, elastic bands, headbands and hairpins – in a word, everything that in one way or another acts on the hair forcibly can injure them. Bad combs can also ruin strands – below the trichologist tells which ones it is better to refuse.

Are you taking good care of your hair? Test yourself with our quiz.

What to do if hair breaks

Try to get them back as soon as possible! We will give some tips for caring for brittle hair at home.

How often to wash brittle hair

Just like any other – as it gets dirty. But it is very important that the water is slightly warm (37 ° C), and shampoos are suitable for fragile, brittle hair. The product must first be foamed in the hands, and then applied to the scalp. Do not shampoo the top of your head! And soaping the hair along the entire length is also not worth it: the foam flowing from the head is enough for them.

After cleansing, use a hair balm, and once a week – a regenerating mask with ceramides, provitamin B5, vegetable oils (olive, jojoba, shea butter). And at least a week a month, give brittle hair a break from hot styling and a hair dryer!

What paints to use

We recommend using paints without ammonia: they are more gentle on the hair. It is desirable to have caring and restoring components in the composition – the same provitamin B5 in particular.

What comb to use

On this point, the opinions of experts differ significantly. Some advocate natural materials, others consider detenglers to be salvation. But everyone agrees on one thing unconditionally: you should not use metal combs. “I responsibly declare: brushes made of natural bristles, wood and metal are the worst enemies of hair,” says Maria Nevskaya. – Ideal comb – massage, made of high-quality plastic. It will remove excess electricity from the surface of the hair, help smooth the scales and carefully disassemble the tangled areas.

How to eat

If the hair breaks along its entire length, it is very important to include high-quality animal proteins in the diet. The menu should include meat, poultry, sea and river fish at least 2-3 times a week. You can not refuse whole grain cereals, bran bread, durum wheat pasta: complex carbohydrates are also good for the health of curls. Just like unrefined vegetable oils. Olive oil, linseed oil, pumpkin oil, and avocado oil can be dressed in salads. Daily minimum – 2 tablespoons of oil.

What remedies to use for brittle hair at home

Of course, cosmetics alone are unlikely to be able to restore brittle hair, for this you still need a set of measures – a balanced diet, solving health problems, refusing (at least for a while) from hot styling. But they can significantly improve the appearance of the hair! Let’s talk about the favorites of the Healthy-Food editors.

Shampoo

Each of these products smoothes hair and reduces breakage. Choose the best for yourself and use it 2-3 times a week in combination with a balm.

Elseve Luxurious 6 Oils Nourishing Light Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris

Thanks to its pleasant texture and extraordinary aroma, this shampoo can turn washing your hair into a spa treatment. But most importantly, it really works! Due to floral micro-oils (lotus, tiare, rose, chamomile, flax and sunflower) in the composition, it helps to strengthen hair, making it smooth, manageable and shiny.

Shampoo for damaged hair “Papaya. superfood. Recovery, Garnier

Very fragrant, very “juicy”, it gives shine and silkiness to hair and promotes their restoration. The main “actors” in the composition of the shampoo are papaya extract, coconut oil and vitamin E. Salicylic acid complements their work: it is not only responsible for the stability of the formula, but also regulates the oiliness of the skin.

Strengthening shampoo “SOS Recovery” Fructis, Garnier

The composition of the product includes vegetable protein karafil, which fills microcracks and damaged areas of the hair, contributing to their restoration. Improvements are noticeable after the third application, the hair breaks off and splits less, looks smooth and shiny.

Conditioning balm

If the shampoo washes away fat and dirt, then the balm, on the contrary, envelops the hair with a protective film with caring substances. Use it after every shampoo to keep your curls looking healthy and radiant.

Super balm against breakage Elseve “Ultra strength”, L’Oréal Paris

Active additives – vitamin B5, biotin and arginine – help to make the hair stronger along the entire length, reduce their fragility. A nice bonus – the balm makes combing and styling easier.

Moisturizing balm “Hyaluron filler” Elseve, L’Oréal Paris

Balm with hyaluronic acid is designed for dehydrated fine hair. Dehydration can easily (and often does) lead to hair breakage. Therefore, their intense hydration will definitely benefit them. Already after the first application in combination with shampoo Else “Hyaluron filler” become noticeably more hydrated and supple.

Firming conditioner Fructis “Triple Recovery”, Garnier

Triglyceride and three oils (avocado, shea and olive) in the composition of the product perfectly fight dry and brittle hair. Curls look stronger, healthier and shinier.

Hair Mask

Once or twice a week, pamper your hair with masks – strengthening, restoring, nourishing. For example, from this list.

Mask for damaged hair Elseve “Total recovery 5”, L’Oréal Paris

Contains prokeratin and cicamide, two substances that gently care for damaged hair and help restore it. The mask strengthens the natural protective barrier and smoothes the surface of the hair.

Firming mask Fructis “Triple recovery”, Garnier

What is not in it! Vitamin B3, responsible for the radiance of hair. Sugar cane extract plus olive, avocado and shea oils to hydrate and nourish hair. Triglyceride and extracts of apple and lemon, eliminating dryness and brittleness. The mask works great, helping to restore and strengthen curls.

Express mask with prokeratin complex Dercos Kera-Solutions, Vichy

Fills hair microdamages, promotes their restoration along the entire length. The prokeratin complex based on vegetable proteins and vitamin B5 are soloed in the mask. Curls become moisturized, less brittle, acquire smoothness and shine.

Oils

The main functions of hair oil are nutrition, hydration and restoration. Enveloping each hair, it creates a protective film on the surface, smoothes the cuticle. As a result, the moisture necessary for the beauty of the strands is retained inside the hair shaft and the curls become shiny, smooth, obedient.

Oil-elixir “Transformation” Fructis, Garnier

Подходит для сухих волос, но особенно рекомендовано тусклым и ломким. Отлично питает их благодаря маслам кокоса, оливы, подсолнечника, авокадо и карите. Придает локонам мягкость, блеск и эластичность — волосы укреплены.

Leave-in care

Compared to conditioners and conditioners, leave-in products work more intensively and are often multifunctional products.

Leave-in complex cream “SOS hair saver 10-in-1” Fructis, Garnier

The product is applied after washing on wet or dry hair and is not washed off. The formula with aminokeratin, coconut oil and plant extracts actively nourishes, protects hair during hot styling, and helps fight breakage and split ends.

Anti-Breakage Cream “Comb Tested” Elseve “Ultra Strength”, L’Oréal Paris

With it, you can boldly comb, wind, style strands with an iron and curling iron – the cream acts as a protective barrier, protecting hair from brittleness and damage. As part of the product – “star” biotin, vitamin B5 and arginine. With this support, the hair is ready to withstand almost anything.

Is it possible to restore brittle hair with the help of salon procedures

If home care does not bring the desired result, you can supplement it with salon procedures. There are many options – sign up for time-tested lamination, shielding, glazing and keratinization (we wrote about them in detail here and here). All of these methods are effective.

Why not try relatively new hardware methods? You can restore hair using infrared light and ultrasound. As the masters say, the effect will be noticeable after the first procedure: the curls will become more elastic and elastic, volume and shine will appear, and fragility will gradually disappear. Experienced users testify that 4-5 sessions really help to stop and remove brittleness. And in some cases, literally save the hair.

What you need to know about brittle hair and how to care for it

Well, let’s summarize.

How to prevent hair breakage?

Lead a healthy lifestyle in the broadest sense – move a lot, eat varied, get enough sleep, avoid stress. And, of course, learn how to properly care for your hair and follow the latest cosmetic news on Healthy-Food.

Hair has become brittle, what vitamins are missing?

As a rule, fragile, damaged hair indicates a lack of vitamins B, E and F (the latter are called linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids). However, with any imbalance of substances necessary for the overall harmony of the body, the curls will not look the best.

What to do if the hair breaks from the middle?

First of all, make an appointment with a therapist and a trichologist, identify the cause with them, reconsider care, and stop using a hair dryer, curling irons and tongs at least for a while. Hot styling damages hair the most.

How to make hair not fluffy, but smooth?

Do not forget about hair balm: it must be used after each shampoo. Apply masks 1-2 times a week, use leave-in care products regularly. Choose products from the lines for damaged, brittle and split ends: they really help to fix the problem.

The best hair loss remedy is…

There are actually a lot of them. Check out our review above for great revitalizing shampoos, balms, masks and leave-in products. Something is sure to suit your hair and make it stronger, more elastic and silky.

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