The key to growing long, healthy hair is retention which means minimizing hair breakage which is the number one cause of hair setbacks. Check out these 6 causes of hair breakage.
[bctt tweet=”Here are the TOP 6 CAUSES of HAIR BREAKAGE to avoid to achieve long, healthy hair.”]
Clarify & Chelate
Understanding the source of hair breakage is the key to managing it. Product build-up is a leading source of dryness which then leads to hair breakage. You should clarify and chelate to remove buildup and hard water deposits which serve as barriers to maximum hydration.
Protein & Moisture
Relaxed hair desires a balance of protein and moisture and natural hair thrives on moisture. Finding a balance of protein and moisture is critical to success. If you are experiencing hair breakage, take a second to inspect the strands. With using a piece of shed hair, give it a gentle tug from both ends of the hair strand. If it stretches before snapping, your hair requires more protein. If it snaps immediately, your hair is lacking moisture!
Complicated Hair Regimen
Complicated hair regimens, who needs them? Hair regimens are great if they are effective but pointless if not. Using all natural everything with incorporating every step known to healthy hair care means nothing if you are experiencing breakage. Mixing and matching too many products at once will also lead you further away from understanding, addressing and mitigating hair breakage. Instead, return to ground zero, keep it simple and stick with the basics until you hair gets back on track.
Have NO Hair Regimen
Having no regimen is equally as damaging as having a complicated regimen. A simple and effective regimen can be achieved in as little as 4 steps: cleanse, condition (30 minutes), apply a leave-in conditioner and style (air drying, banding, rollersetting, flexi rods, etc). Lastly, don’t forget to moisturize and seal throughout the week. This is easily done by applying a water based moisturizer to the hair first and then following up with applying a pea sized amount of oil to seal in the hydrating effects of the water based moisturizer.
Unhealthy Hair Techniques
Combing from root to tip
Using small tooth combs
Using seamed vs. seamless combs
Not detangling properly before wash day
Detangling chunks of hair vs. small sections
Not using a detangler to help with slip {visit my Product Faves}
Overuse of heat and/or no heat protectant
Use these techniques instead:
Proper combing is a must. Be gentle, detangle in small sections and detangle from tip to root with finger detangling knots that you encounter. Always start detangling sessions with a wide tooth comb and only incorporate smaller combs if deeper detangling is required. Working in small sections with spraying each section with a detangler will provide the hair with slip which minimizes hair breakage.
It goes without saying, heat is damaging and will cause hair breakage when used incorrectly. Be sure to use heat in moderation and always use a heat protectant, even when blow drying.
[bctt tweet=”The key to growing long, healthy hair is retention which means minimizing hair breakage. “]
Failing to Embrace Your Hair
Let’s go ahead and put an emphasis on “your.” Just because heads of hair resemble, does not mean hair will respond equally to hair products and hair techniques. While it is great to use each other as a guide, it is best that you do your own research and fully understand what your hair requires. We must embrace what is ours and do what is best for our hair regardless of what is trending within the healthy hair community. Failing to listen to our hair can lead to severe hair breakage just like my tangle teezer incident. Been there and it is not fun!
PIN THE IMAGE!!
Great post Jay!!
Good advice all around. I am certainly a fan of simple regimens
You nailed it Jay.
Thank you lovely lady!
Thank you for this!
TY for swinging by!!
Great post, Jay! I learned the hard way about having a complicated regimen along with some of the unhealthy hair techniques you mentioned. Thanks for sharing this!
More is not always better. So wish I had learned that sooner.
I have fallen into some of this bad habits again since I started transitioning. Need to regroup!
We all have fallen by the wayside here and there. I haven’t washed my hair in a good 3 weeks, maybe even longer.
Great post!!
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TY!!
S.O.S
Im an african American 44 yrs old live in Costa Rica, Central America. I braided my hair for more than 3 years. It has been 6 months since I relaxed my hair and it was fine, I trim twice already and I have a shoulder lenth, but i have noticed that my hair is falling, even when I do hair Botox every 15 days, my hair is falling, some times it´s the hole strand or it´s breaking and i´m going crazy because in my country it´s hard to find trhe products to keep african american hair type and my hair type is 4c.
Can you give me recomendations. I could probably get it by Amazon
Thanks for your help !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi There! Sorry you having these issues. Did the breakagr start before or after hair botox?
These are great points! I am so guilty of neglecting my hair, even though it’s super short. This makes me believe that l may still grow it some more. Will try and address it more. Thanks for the great tips.
Kemkem recently posted…Spotlight – Fab Friday Find Film
I believe it can / will grow. It takes a little bit of nurturing though.
I’m definitely guilty of a few of these and need to do better. Thanks for the tips!
Indeed!!
These are good tips. I will definitely share with my sister!!!
Hey Girlfriend, thank you!!!
I believe the number 1 case is lack of moisture and protein. I’m about to get mine washed and treated to a protein mask.
Nicole (Nicole’s Lifestyle Lounge) recently posted…Naeem Khan Fall 2016 Art Deco Collection
Are you a DIYer or do you go to a salon?
I’m a simple hair regimen type of gal. I’ve also adopted that same routine for my four year old. Great tips.
Mimi “MimiCuteLips” Green recently posted…#FATSNACKS FRIDAY: BBQ Chicken Pinwheels
Simple gets the job done too and in much less time!
I would add heat to this list.
My hair HAAAAATES protein, so I have to find ways to sneak it in along with a good moisturizer.
Keisha recently posted…How to Enjoy Phuket, Thailand Without Exploiting Animals
I agree! I think there is so much information out there that some people have a routine that is too complicated and ruining their hair! I love a good simple routine! That makes it easy to follow and be consistent.
LaShawn recently posted…Dairy Free Caramel Brulee Latte
Great tips. Keeping your hair moisturized is so important.
Just read your other post about chelating – I’d never heard of that term before! I definitely need to make more of an effort not to detangle from root to tip. Thanks for the tips!
These are great tips. I have to take extra steps to keep my hair moisturized during the winter, so I change my regimen up a little during this time of year. Thanks for the post!
I don’t blame you. That wind can rob the hair of moisture.
Great tips. I’m a fan of simple, but effective regimens. It’s also great to go to a professional from time to time to make sure you’re on the right track.
Agreed – if being a DIYer is not working, then a salon is a better option.
So needed this post! Detangling has been a beast! Plan to take all of these into account.
Valerie Robinson recently posted…[Excellence] Washington, D.C. Teen Finalist in ‘Doodle 4 Google’ Contest
Detangling was my biggest struggle in the day. Now, I’m a little pro. *knock on wood* I haven’t had any issues lately.