How to Stop Hair Breakage

Hair breakage occurs when the hair shaft becomes weak and fractious, often due to damage to the hair's outer cuticle. This can result in split ends, frizz, and a general lack of luster. Addressing breakage requires a holistic approach, focusing on gentle handling, proper nutrition, and protective measures.

When to Address Hair Breakage

It's important to address hair breakage as soon as you notice signs such as:

• Split Ends: The ends of your hair visibly split into two or more sections.
• Excessive Shedding: While some daily hair loss is normal (around 50-100 hairs), excessive shedding where strands break in the middle, not from the root, indicates breakage.
• Frizz and Flyaways: Noticeable frizz and numerous short, broken hairs around your hairline or throughout your style.
• Dullness: Hair that appears dull or lacks its natural shine, often due to a raised cuticle.
• Tangling: Hair that tangles easily and excessively, leading to further breakage during detangling.

Tools and Products Needed

To effectively combat hair breakage, gather the following:

• Wide-tooth comb or detangling brush: Essential for gently detangling wet or dry hair without causing strain.
• Microfiber towel or old cotton t-shirt: For drying hair gently and reducing friction compared to traditional terrycloth towels.
• Satin or silk pillowcase: Reduces friction on hair overnight, preventing tangles and snags.
• Moisturizing shampoo and conditioner: Formulated to hydrate and strengthen the hair shaft. Look for ingredients like keratin, ceramides, and natural oils.
• Leave-in conditioner or hair oil (e.g., argan, jojoba): Provides ongoing moisture and protection.
• Heat protectant spray: Crucial if you use heat styling tools.
• Hair growth stimulating shampoo and conditioner: Watermans Hair offers formulations designed to support hair health and reduce breakage by promoting a stronger growth cycle.
• Deep conditioning treatment or hair mask: For intensive hydration and repair, used weekly or bi-weekly.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preventing Hair Breakage

Follow these steps to minimize and prevent hair breakage:

1. Gentle Washing and Conditioning

• Pre-Poo Treatment (Optional): Before shampooing, apply a lightweight oil (like coconut or olive oil) to dry hair, focusing on the ends. This can help protect strands from excessive stripping during washing.
• Use lukewarm water: Hot water can strip the hair's natural oils and open the cuticle, making it more vulnerable.
• Apply shampoo to the scalp: Focus shampoo on the scalp to cleanse, letting the lather gently rinse down the strands. Avoid vigorous scrubbing of the hair lengths.
• Condition generously: Apply conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends, ensuring even distribution. Leave on for the recommended time.
• Rinse thoroughly: Ensure all product is rinsed out to prevent residue buildup.

2. Mindful Detangling

• Detangle wet hair with conditioner: While conditioner is still in your hair, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle, starting from the ends and working your way up. The slip from the conditioner helps prevent snags.
• Dry detangling: For dry hair, use a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush. Again, start from the ends and work upwards in small sections.
• Be patient: Never yank or pull through tangles. If encountering resistance, reapply a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray.

3. Gentle Drying

• Blot, don't rub: After washing, gently squeeze excess water from your hair. Use a microfiber towel or a soft cotton t-shirt to blot your hair dry. Avoid vigorous rubbing, which can rough up the cuticle and lead to frizz and breakage.
• Air dry often: Whenever possible, allow your hair to air dry completely or partially before styling.

4. Heat Protection and Styling

• Minimize heat styling: Excessive heat is a primary cause of breakage. Limit the use of blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons.
• Always use heat protectant: Before any heat styling, apply a heat protectant spray evenly throughout your hair. These products create a barrier, distributing heat more evenly and reducing direct damage.
• Use the lowest effective heat setting: Higher temperatures cause more damage. Experiment with lower settings that still achieve your desired style.
• Avoid tight hairstyles: Hairstyles that pull tightly on the hair (e.g., tight ponytails, braids, or buns) can cause tension and lead to "traction alopecia," a form of hair loss and breakage along the hairline. Opt for looser styles.
• Use seamless hair ties: Elastic bands with metal clasps or rough seams can snag and break hair. Opt for smooth, seamless hair ties or scrunchies made of silk or satin.

5. Regular Trims and Deep Conditioning

• Regular trims: Schedule trims every 6-8 weeks to remove split ends before they can travel up the hair shaft, causing further damage. This maintains hair health and length potential.
• Deep conditioning treatments: Incorporate a deep conditioning mask or treatment once a week or every two weeks. These treatments infuse hair with intense moisture and reparative ingredients, helping to restore strength and elasticity. Apply after shampooing, leave on for the recommended time, and rinse thoroughly.

Pro Tips

• Nighttime Protection: Secure your hair in a loose braid or bun before bed to prevent tangling. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction.
• Diet and Hydration: A balanced diet rich in protein, vitamins (especially A, C, E, and biotin), and minerals (like iron and zinc) supports strong hair growth. Adequate water intake is also crucial for overall hair health.
• Avoid Over-processing: Chemical treatments like coloring, perms, and relaxers can severely weaken hair. Space out treatments and ensure they are done by experienced professionals. When coloring, opt for ammonia-free or lower-peroxide formulas when possible.
• Understand pH Balance: Healthy hair and scalp typically have a slightly acidic pH (around 4.5-5.5). Many haircare products are formulated to respect this balance. Products with a high pH (alkaline) can raise the cuticle, making hair prone to damage, while acidic rinses (like diluted apple cider vinegar) can help smooth it back down.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Aggressive scrubbing: Vigorously rubbing shampoo into lengths of hair or rubbing hair dry with a harsh towel.
• Brushing wet hair forcefully: Hair is most fragile when wet. Always detangle gently with appropriate tools.
• Excessive heat styling without protection: Skipping heat protectant, or using high heat settings unnecessarily.
• Ignoring split ends: Delaying trims allows split ends to worsen and travel up the hair shaft.
• Tight hairstyles: Constantly wearing styles that pull on the hair roots, especially around the hairline.
• Using unsuitable hair ties: Elastic bands with metal or rough textures can cause friction and snags.

Aftercare

Consistent aftercare is key to sustained hair health:

• Maintain your routine: Stick to the gentle washing, conditioning, and detangling practices outlined.
• Regular deep conditioning: Do not skip your weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioning treatments.
• Observe your hair: Pay attention to how your hair responds to different products and practices. Adjust as needed.
• Patience: Repairing damaged hair takes time. Consistency and patience will yield the best results in reducing breakage and promoting healthier, stronger hair. Products, such as Watermans Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner, are specifically designed to strengthen hair and reduce breakage over time by improving the overall health of the hair follicle and shaft.

By adopting these habits, you can significantly reduce hair breakage, leading to healthier, stronger, and more vibrant hair. Remember that healthy hair is not just about aesthetics; it reflects the underlying care and attention it receives.

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Find these ingredients in Watermans products

• Zinc — you will find this ingredient in our Hair Vitamins.

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Did you know?

• Hair can stretch up to 30% of its length when wet without breaking.
• A single strand of hair can support up to 100 grams in weight.
• The average person loses between 50 to 100 hairs each day naturally.