Your hair is exposed to a lot of environmental stressors throughout the day which affects its overall health. If not looked after, those elements can cause damage to your hair which will take away from its natural luster and volume. One common condition that arises due to prolonged exposure to environmental aggressors is brittle hair. As the name suggests, brittle hair refers to hair that breaks easily when brushed. The hair begins to look lifeless, dry, rough and is usually accompanied by frizziness and split ends. Before getting into the remedies, it is important to understand the possible causes of brittle hair and adapt a treatment that can address the root cause.
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What Causes Brittle Hair?
Now that we are aware of the meaning of brittle hair, let’s take a closer look at the factors that contribute to it. Just like any other hair condition, there is always more than one possible reason behind it. Below, we have listed some of the most common brittle hair causes.
- Weather – It’s hard to overlook the effect weather has on the overall health of your hair. High temperatures, even indoors, can take out the vital moisture out of your hair. This leads to the hair being more susceptible to breaking and becoming increasingly brittle.
- Chemical Products – Overuse of harsh shampoos or other hair styling products takes a toll on the nutrient balance of your hair. They can also damage the cuticles of your hair, making them more prone to breaking and splitting.
- Excessive Use Of Heated Styling Tools – Heat and healthy hair cannot co-exist. Curling irons and blow dryers leave the hair devoid of hydration, leaving them dry, rough and brittle.
- Diet – It’s no secret that your hair requires a good amount of nutrients to grow and sustain itself. If your diet is lacking nutrients necessary for healthy hair such as proteins and vitamins, the hair is more likely to break and start falling off.
- Hormones – Fluctuations of your hormonal levels also have an effect on the health of your hair, and may be a possible cause of dry, brittle hair. It’s best to consult a doctor or a medical professional for treatment options if you think hormonal changes is the reason for your brittle hair.
Brittle Hair Treatments
If you find yourself suffering from dry and brittle hair, there are some treatments that may help you control the damage, and improve the condition of your dry, brittle hair. These brittle hair remedies are easy to follow, so go ahead and give them a try!
- Hair Oil Massages – Hair oils not only provide your hair with moisture but also act as a protective layer against harsh environmental elements. (Keep in mind certain things not to do when oiling your hair to get the best results). Alternatively, you can also use clarified butter considering the vast benefits of ghee for hair.
- Switch Shampoos – Your current shampoo might be damaging your hair more than you realize. Put in some research and find a milder product that suits your hair type.
- Increase Vitamin Intake – Vitamin A, C and H along with mineral iron are essential to maintaining healthy hair. Sorting out your diet and including these nutrients in it will help nourish your hair and provide them strength.
- Use A Pre-Shampoo Treatment Or A Hair Mask– Hair masks that are formulated with nourishing oils can help moisturize your hair, and can be extremely beneficial for dry, damaged and brittle hair.
Brittle Hair Prevention
As the old adage goes, ‘prevention is better than cure’. It is always advisable to be proactive when it comes to taking care of your hair before it’s too late. Below are some tips that you can keep in mind to prevent brittle hair.
- Avoid Washing Your Hair Everyday – While washing your hair on the daily may sound harmless, doing so actually washes off the natural oils in your hair. These oils are responsible for maintaining moisture and giving your hair a smooth look and feel. You can always find other simple ways to keep your hair bouncy apart from using a shampoo or conditioner daily.
- Minimize The Use Of Curlers & Straighteners – We know that it’s practically impossible to stop the use of any heated hair devices, which are so important to style your hair, especially on special occasions. However, reducing the exposure of your hair to such devices as much as possible will undoubtedly preserve your hair from becoming brittle and dry. Make sure you spritz on thermal protector sprays before using any heated devices, and use a spray-on SPF for hair if you’re going to be out in the sun all day.
- Comb Carefully – Often overlooked, but being gentle while running a comb or brush through your hair is a great way to ensure there is no unnecessary damage being caused. Also, limiting the amount of strokes can also reduce the amount of breakage your hair suffers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can brittle hair be restored?
You can’t fully mend damaged or brittle hair as it isn’t a living tissue with regenerative abilities. While the damage may not be 100% reversible, taking the right steps at the right time can help make your hair healthier, improve its outer appearance, and limit further damage.
Why is my hair so brittle and thin?
There is a large spectrum of factors that might be contributing to your thin, brittle hair. The usual suspects however are prolonged exposure to heat, overuse of heating and styling products, hormonal changes, and improper diet, among many others.
How do you get rid of brittle hair?
There are several home remedies along with lifestyle changes you can adopt to get rid of brittle hair. However, to know which brittle hair remedies will work, you will need to know what’s causing your hair to become brittle in the first place. It is always advisable to consult a dermatologist to know the best course of action.
We hope this article helped you understand brittle hair causes, remedies, and what you can do to prevent it! You might also wanna check out these life-saving DIY hair masks for damaged and brittle hair.
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