How To Stop Hair Breakage
Whether you're a hair expert or are happy with just the basics in your hair care routine, seeing hair breakage can be overwhelming. While some may accept the fact of hair breakage, we think otherwise.
Hair breakage can be common occurrence, but luckily, you don't have to live with it. Read on to discover how to stop hair breakage, and put simple measures in place to ensure you maintain healthy hair.
What is hair breakage?
Shedding hair is normal, and it is typical to shed around 50 to 100 hairs a day. Normal shed hairs tend to be the length of the hair with a tiny dot at the end. Hair breakage is when your hair snaps and leaves split ends. When inspecting a hair you've shed, if it is shorter and feels dryer than usual, it is likely that this is a result from hair breakage not normal hair shedding. Additionally, if you notice your ends to be thinner, split or brittle, this can be another sign of hair breakage.
How Hair Breakage Occurs: Your Hair Anatomy
In order to understand hair breakage, it’s important to first understand the anatomy of how hairs are structured. The hair on our bodies is made up of varying layers:
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- The Cuticle - the protective layer around strands of hair. This cuticle protects the other layers from stressors that lead to breakage.
- The Cortex - the thickest layer of hair, also where pigment is concentrated.
- The Medulla - the thin inner layer of the hair strand.
The cuticle itself is made up of layers upon layers of tiny scales that point downwards away from the hair root. The cuticle’s primary job is to protect the inner layers of hair, with the scales working to limit friction between individual hairs, minimising damage.
A healthy cuticle is smooth, and has its scales fully intact. You may notice that healthy cuticles are shiny, and that hair doesn’t tangle easily. On the flip side, a damaged cuticle has scales that have been stripped away. Appearance may seem dull, with hair prone to tangle.
What causes hair breakage?
Hair breakage occurs when your hair cuticles weaken and become damaged. This means they are no longer able to protect the inner cortex and medulla layers of the hair strands. The reasons hair cuticles may weaken can vary. In order to properly deal with continuously damaged hair, determining which of the following issues is a major culprit will be a great first step.
1. Lack of Moisture
Lack of moisture is a usual suspect in the battle against hair damage and subsequently breakage. Dry hair is one of the precursors to breakage, and can be caused by factors like low humidity, dry weather, and too much heat (for example, from hair tools or very hot water when you wash your hair).
2. Heat Damage and over-processing
As mentioned above, heat damage can cause hair to become dry and broken. This includes the incorrect or overuse of tools like straighteners and blow dryers. Adopting a heat protectant can help protect the strands from heat, preventing heat damage and breakage.
3. Over-processing
Over processing refers to damage done when hair is coloured, permed, or lightened. While these can make your hair seem fresh and healthy at the beginning, oftentimes they can result in cuticle breakdown down the line. Going to a colour specialist is one way to avoid breakage from colouring, as well as adopting a coloured hair care routine to prevent further breakage.
4. Incorrect brushing & hair ties
Over brushing hair can lead to strands being yanked or pulled needlessly from your head, as well as strands of hair breaking off. Instead, only brush your hair when you are styling it, and consider using a wide toothed comb. Similarly, hair bands, while useful, can also work to break strands of hair off as they pull on your scalp and cuticles.
5. Tight hair styles
How you style your hair is a common culprit many may not realise can lead to hair breakage. Continuously wearing tight hairstyles can put strain on the hair strand, causing it to snap. If you suspect this is the cause to your hair breakage, avoid any tight hair styling and adopt a hair treatment to repair damaged ends.
A targeted framework for hair breakage
Treatments to strengthen and repair hair should start with addressing the above causes of hair breakage, coupled with choosing the right products that actively work to repair damaged cuticles. The Kerastase Genesis collection has been specifically curated to target hair fall caused by hair breakage when brushing. A dual action fortifying system, Genesis is professionally formulated to strengthen hair and reduce hair breakage.
How To Help Fix Hair Breakage- Starting With The Basics
To start, choose essentials like shampoo and conditioner that actually work to strengthen hair and stop breakage. The Genesis Fortifying Shampoo for Thin Hair and the Genesis Fortifying Anti-Breakage Conditioner both reinforce weakened hair fibres that are prone to hair breakage to provide immediate strength with maximised retention. Using effective scalp care is also crucial to help prevent breakage as it allows you to strengthen the hair from the root. The best-selling Genesis Anti-Breakage Fortifying Scalp Serum boost resistance at the scalp, targeting and re-anchoring hair follicles for minimised breakage. Give your hair a little extra TLC by using an intensive hair mask treatment at home. The Genesis Reconstructing Anti-Hair Fall Hair Mask is an intense fortifying hair mask for weakened, dry hair that balances the scalp while fortifying against breakage. Another way to help fix hair breakage and maintain healthy hair, is by receiving regular in-salon treatment like Kerastase's Fusio Dose. This will help you receive personalised treatments based on your main hair concerns, for a targeted approach to hair care.
How To Prevent Hair Breakage
Remember all the factors we listed out that can seriously damage hair? Your best form of protection towards preventing hair breakage is to stay mindful of both manual and environmental aggressors that can weaken hair. For long-term maintenance of healthy hair, consider the following:
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- To prevent heat damage when straightening your hair or using a blow dryer, always use a strengthening heat protectant. We recommend the Genesis Anti-Hair Fall Heat Protectant Spray which will protect your hair from heat damage, while also strengthening the hair and preventing hair fall.
- We get it, the high pony is back! But avoid tying your hair up too tightly as it may pull on your scalp and cause breakage. What’s more, hair ties with the small metal band on them are particularly notorious for pulling out hair unnecessarily, so ditch these where possible.
- Take hair strength to the next level with the Genesis Anti-Breakage Fortifying Scalp Serum. A few pipette drops of this non-oily serum once a week can work to majorly fortify hair and reduce breakage.
- It may sound obvious, but a healthy diet and lifestyle are also major factors that contribute to hair health.
Hair Breakage is sometimes unavoidable, but luckily there is hair care available that can help manage any issues caused by environmental or manual stressors to keep your locks looking lush. Now you know more about hair breakage, read our guide on 'how to get rid of split ends'.
- To prevent heat damage when straightening your hair or using a blow dryer, always use a strengthening heat protectant. We recommend the Genesis Anti-Hair Fall Heat Protectant Spray which will protect your hair from heat damage, while also strengthening the hair and preventing hair fall.
Damaged hair is unavoidable, but luckily there are products available that can help manage any issues caused by environmental or manual stressors to keep your locks looking lush. Now you have the key to healthy hair, it’s time to grow your lengths! If you’re looking to grow your hair, check out our guide for growing and looking after long hair for the complete overview.
Shop The Damaged Hair Routine
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Genesis Anti-Hair Fall Fortifying Hair Serum
Daily fortifying serum for weakened hair that is prone to falling due to breakage from brushing.
Genesis Bain Hydra-Fortifiant Shampoo For Thin Hair
This lightweight, fortifying shampoo is perfect for normal to oily, weakened hair prone to falling due to breakage from brushing. Its caring formula helps control oily roots while reinforcing the hair fibre to prevent hair fall when brushing. Discover the best shampoo for thinning hair now.
Genesis Reconstructing Anti-Hairfall Conditioner
Fortifying conditioner for weakened hair.
Genesis Anti-Hairfall Heat Protectant Spray
Fortifying blow dry heat protectant for weakened hair.
Genesis Reconstructing Anti-Hairfall Hair Mask
Genesis Reconstructing Anti-Hair Fall Mask
Intense fortifying anti-hair fall hair mask for weakened, dry hair.
This hair mask for hair fall nourishes, detangles and reinforces hair to reduce the risk of hair fall due to breakage. The ultra-rich formula is infused with conditioning and strengthening agents to internal hydrate while reinforcing hair for soft, strong lengths.
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