Stop Hair Breakage by Changing Bad Habits
Overuse of heating appliance, unprotected hair when sleeping on cotton, tight hats, pulling your hair, harsh brushing and combing, shampooing too much, not conditioning enough, allowing split-ends, poor diet, continued use of chemical dyes, relaxers, bleaches and more –all can cause hair breakage. Therefore, these are things that must be avoided and be replaced with healthier hair care habits.
Protect to Stop Hair Breakage
Protect your hair from permanent hair dye. Chemical hair dye penetrates the cuticle of the hair, damaging it. The hair is exposed to para-phenylenediamine (PPD), hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and other harsh chemicals, causing overlapping of cuticular seates to lift from the hair cortex, thereby leading to rapid loss of amino acid. By removing the proteins that build the structural strength, the hair shaft is weakened with every application. The chemical damage results in an easily fractured hair shaft and eventual hair loss.
Dermatologists have recommended the use of all natural pure henna for hair to prevent potential scalp allergy and hair loss caused by the overuse of chemical hair color dyes. Pure henna coats the hair and doesn’t penetrate the hair shaft.
Keep hydrated internally. Drink plenty of water. Nourish your hair like you nourish your skin. This will help to keep your hair soft and lustrous. Hydrate for proper skin care and hair care.
Lock in moisture.Moisturizing hair care tip: use a light leave-in conditioner (daily if you have curly hair; rinse in cooler water to seal in moisture).
DIY light homemade leave-in conditioner: simply add enough water to current conditioner, mix well, spray a little in your hand and rub through hair or spritz on hair with a spray bottle.
Avoid cleansing shampoos that strip and cause extra dryness and frizziness. Shampoo less often with mild shampoo or try a conditioner-only wash (co-wash).
Maintain to Stop Hair Breakage
Eat a well-balanced diet. Iron-rich, protein foods, as well as those containing Vitamin C, Vitamin B-6, B-12, Foliate and Zinc will do much to improve scalp and overall hair condition. A healthy diet should be the norm. Fast foods should be dramatically reduced or even eliminated.
Establish a routine of hair maintenance; over time it becomes a very simple process. Shampooing and conditioning with the proper products (preferably natural), daily hair care; deep conditioning; snipping split ends when needed, will do much for our hair from roots to ends.
A word of caution about clipping split ends: If you want grow longer hair, never clip more than 1/4” (inch) per month. If you do, you’ll literally be cutting away your new hair growth! Remember: most hair grows about 1/2” (inch) per month, totaling six (6) inches a year. Do the math. Actually, a tiny snipping every 2-3 months is all that is really necessary.
An occasional hot-oil treatment restores moisture balance; adds suppleness to hair. Natural herbal oils such as extra-virgin olive oil, organic coconut oil, cold-pressed castor oil and flaxseed oil are known to help strengthen, regrow hair and to eliminate dandruff.
Style to Stop Hair Breakage
Gentle brushing: Using a non-abrasive hairbrush (with nylon bristles or natural boar bristles or similar) to gently massage in hair oils encourages scalp stimulation to slightly increase hair growth; and blood to reach follicle at the root. Healthy circulation promotes better hair growth.
Be careful: try and avoid styles that constantly pull and tear your roots (tight braids, tight ponytails, etc.)
If you must braid: loose braids are best day or night. If you braid your hair before sleeping, satin helps braiding by reducing friction from hair against fabric fibers, thus protecting against breakage. Simply cover hair or braid(s) with a satin sleep bonnet, satin bun cover or using a satin pillow protects your braids.
Use safe hair accessories: these are accessories that won’t undo all the healthy hair care that you've worked so hard to achieve. Avoid unsafe hair accessories can tear your hair out, cause severe hair breakage and cause extreme damage to your hair.
Of course, there are a number of other hair care protection, maintenance and style tips that I have written about previously. However, the above reminders are basic tips that have been proven to work to stop hair breakage.
Change those bad habits and enjoy healthy and beautiful hair.
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Author: L.J. O'Neal, writer and researcher. (L.J. is also a Lustrous Henna® user.)
Do not copy or reprint this article without the consent of the author or Saba Botanical of USA.
*Even though our herbal ingredients have been used in natural medicine for centuries, we must add the following disclaimer: The herbs, formulas, and recipes contained within this web site are not to be considered substitutes for proper medical and health care. As with any other medicine, if you are sick, you should consult a physician to find out if the herbal preparations listed here are right for you. Saba Botanical does not make any medical claims nor warranties regarding the use of the products listed on this site. No matter how natural a product is, it may have a potential of causing side effects and allergic reaction on certain individuals. You should consult your physician before taking any medication.
Lustrous Henna® is an all-natural hair color for dying hair; includes pure, highly-sifted herbal henna, indigo leaf powder and other herbal extracts and powders. Dark hair colors are naturally achieved resulting in excellent black hair color, dark brown hair color, brown hair color and many more, along with excellent gray hair coverage.
