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11 Common Hair Breakage Causes & Treatments

The main causes ofΒ hair breakageΒ are typically dry hair and frequent manipulation, but there any different causes. Structurally, our hair cuticle is made ofΒ overlapping 'scales' which help keep your hair strand together. In healthy, undamaged hair, these scales are intact, however breakage can occur when these scales areΒ damagedΒ or fall apart.

A common complaint we hear is about hair not growing. In most cases, it is growing, it's just breaking as fast as it grows.Β This has also played a part in adding to the myth that afro hair doesn't grow.Β However,Β breakageΒ is the culprit ofΒ the myth that afro hair doesn't grow. Afro hair grows just like other hair types but if the rate of breakage is faster than the rate of growth, then you'll struggle to retain length.Β 

Want to stop yourΒ afro hair breaking? Watch our latest YouTube video (below) or carry on reading to discover some common causes and treatments.

1. Dryness

Dry hair is prone to breakage and damage, and can be caused by multiple factors.Β 

When it comes to Afro and curly hair, the twists and turns make it harder for sebum (the natural oils your scalp produces) to travel downΒ the hair strand. ThisΒ meansΒ afro and curly hair is dryer than other types.

You can combat drynessΒ by usingΒ the LOC and LCO methods, which involve the layering of products. Both are acronyms where:Β 

L = liquid O = oil and C = cream

The order of the lettersΒ guides the order in which the products should be applied to the hair.Β Β 
A hand touching the Afrocenchix moisture surge set with citrus fruit

OurΒ Moisture Surge SetΒ contains productsΒ for all three stepsΒ β€” Sheen natural moisturising sprayΒ (liquid),Β Seal (hairΒ oil)Β and Smooth (moisturisingΒ cream) and stopsΒ afro hair breaking.

Also, many of us are guilty of this afro hair error. Covering your hair at night can really save your hair.

Cotton absorbs moisture,Β which is great when it comes to clothing but it's detrimental to the health of your hair. Sleeping with aΒ satin bonnetΒ helps to maintain your hair’s moisture as well as preserving your hair from forming tangles which lead to breakage. If you dislike hair scarvesΒ and bonnets, opt for a silk pillowcase.Β 

2. Heat Damage

In one of our previous posts onΒ avoiding heat damage, we mentioned high temperatures cause the hair cuticle to be raised, not only leaving the delicate cortex of the hair vulnerable to damage but also allowing moisture to escape. Heat styling is one of the main culprits for breakage, especially if you have tight curls.Β Blowdryers and straightenersΒ strip moisture from the hair, so try to avoid and use heat-free methods toΒ dryΒ orΒ styleΒ your hair.Β 

3. Improper Towel Drying

As we mentioned, usingΒ heat can lead to breakageΒ but did you know improperly drying your hair can lead to hair breakage?Β Regular cotton towels cause friction which raises the cuticles of your hair strands. Friction causes frizz.Β Microfibre towelsΒ are designed to create less friction (which means less frizz!) and prevent breakage so it’s a win-win for your Afro.Β 

Using aΒ towel turbanΒ makes it easy to put your hair up to dry and go hands-free. So you can easily do something else whileΒ saving timeΒ and drying your hair. Just watch our video to see how to use our towel turban with ease.

4. Washing Your Hair (The Wrong Way)

Shampoos are great for removing dirt but someΒ also strip the hair of its natural moisture. As a general rule of thumb, we advise using aΒ gentle sulphate free shampoo, which can help provide aΒ crisp clean andΒ remove buildupΒ without stripping your hair of moisture.Β 

Watch our video, below, to learn how to wash your hair the right way.Β 

5. Terrible Tools

Step away from the hard bristle brushes and fine-toothed combs. These are enemies of healthy hair. Opt for finger-detangling instead as you’re more likely to be gentle with your handsΒ than with a comb because you can easily feel for knots and tangles.

To finger detangle, simply coat your fingersΒ withΒ oil (we suggestΒ SootheΒ as it's super lightweight!) and work through sections of your hair, starting at the ends and working your way up to the roots.Β Once a section is detangled, you can twist or braid itΒ to keep it from tangling.

6. Poor Accessories

Excited by the prospect of styling your hair, but unsure if theΒ accessoriesΒ you are using are the best for you hair?Β Using poor accessories that easily snag your hair could be the cause of your hair breakage. So make sure to throw away those broken bobby pins and clips.Β 

Looking for new safe accessories? Try ourΒ Essential Accessories Pack, so you can rest at ease. They are friendly for afro/curly hair – and in fact for all hair types!

Afrocenchix Essential Accessories Pack small canvas Bag

7. Over-processing

Over-processing or chemically treating your hair can also lead to an increase in hair breakage.Β Perms, relaxers, other types of permanent straightening, as well as hair colouring/dyeing can leave your hair susceptible to hair damage and breakage.

Looking to stop chemically treat your hair? Don't forget to check our article onΒ transitioningΒ for practical tips.Β 

8.Β Wearing Your Hair OutΒ 

When you wear your hair down it gets exposed to elements in the air, material on your clothing and other things that can cause friction that leads to breakage. Wearing your hair up in a bun or any style off your shoulders stops the friction which causes breakage.Β 

Protective stylesΒ are a great ofΒ literally protecting your hair from the elements as theyΒ keep the ends of the hair tucked away. Why is this important? Well, the ends of the hair are the oldest and weakest parts of the hair so they need to be handled with care.Β 

9. Tight Protective Styles

We've just mentioned protective styling is great but these styles can be counterproductive to healthy hair growth if installed badly and if you neglect your hair while your style is in. Β 

Although Afro hair thrives when tucked away, yourΒ hairΒ still requires moisture while you're rocking your braids. Moisture is essential for keeping your hair healthy and minimising breakage.

Don't forget: You will still need to wash and condition your hair for good braid care. Not sure how to do this? Watch our video with our Cofounder Rachael for a practical and easy way.Β 

Between washes, spray a light mist ofΒ a moisturising sprayΒ every morning and night directly on your hair.Β You'll really see the difference this makes after removing your braids! Instead ofΒ feeling hard and crunchy, yourΒ hair will be soft and luscious! You can also get everything you need to look after your hair with ourΒ Braid Care Set.

Pro tip: We stronglyΒ recommend that you speak up at the hair salon if they are pulling too tightly,Β using too much heat or a fine tooth comb.

And remember youΒ should never sacrifice your hair health for a hairstyle! If you're stuckΒ try out a low manipulation style that doesn't require braiding or twisting such as aΒ bunΒ orΒ roll and tuck style. You can check out ourΒ style pageΒ for inspiration!

10. DietΒ 

A healthy and balanced diet is essential to hair and your health. If you're suffering from hair breakage having a look at your diet might be useful, especially, if you've made recent or significant changes.Β So make sure you are getting all theΒ nutrients you needs to grow and flourish.

Β Easy things you can do is make sure you’re having five portions of fruitΒ andΒ veg each day and try to avoid sweets and fatty foods.Β 

11. Stress

Of all the things that cause breakage, stress might be the trickiest to deal with - not because there aren’t solutions (there are), it’s just that everyone deals with stress differently.Β 

Telogen effluviumΒ is a temporary form ofΒ hair lossΒ that usually happens after stress, a shock or a traumatic event.Β It can make your hair follicles go dormant, which means that hair that's in the middle of a growth cycle may easily break off.Β 

Effective stress management would be recommended for hair breakage related to stress. So do something nice to help you relax and remember: self care isn't selfish.

MoreΒ Articles:

5 Reasons your Hair is Breaking

3 Ways to Reduce Breakage When Wearing Braids

How do you reduce constant shedding and get your hair to grow?Β 

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