REASONS WHY YOUR 4C HAIR IS BREAKING AND WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

Hair breakage can be caused by a number of factors. From mild causes such as not getting regular haircuts, overprocessing one’s hair, tight hairstyles or updos to conditions like hyperthyroidism. Most of the time, it’s usually temporary and hair can be restored if necessary lifestyle changes are made.

What is hair breakage?

Hair breakage, unlike hair loss where hair sheds off from the roots, is when your hair breaks anywhere in the length of your hair shaft causing your strands to be shorter and your hair uneven. In most cases, it’s not a serious condition and it can be easily resolved.  

Common Causes

The following are the common reasons why your hair might be breaking 

• Dryness

Dry hair which could be as a result of constant or incorrect heat application on the hair or sometimes dry weather, could damage and break your hair. Hair products containing toxic ingredients like Parabens,Sulfates,and alcohol could also cause the hair to dry out and could lead to hair breakage.

• Stress

When stress causes one to lose hair, it’s called telogen effluvium. In this case, stress causes the hair follicles to go to rest. The effect of this is that the affected hair strands start to fall off within a few months especially when combing, washing or simply pulling at the hair.

• Diet

Deficiency in nutrients needed for hair growth can cause the hair to weaken and break. Nutrients like iron, protein, zinc and vitamins contribute greatly to healthy hair and hair growth and once little to none of this is contained in one’s diet, that’s bad news for your hair.

• Tight hairstyles 

Putting the hair repeatedly in tight buns or updos could break your hair. Also, tight weaves like cornrows and braids could wear your hair out especially if it’s left for a long period of time or if it’s repeatedly done. These hairstyles pull at your hair and cause tension in your strands, thereby weakening them and causing it to break.

• Towel drying 

Another reason your hair could be breaking is because you’ve been towel drying it the wrong way. Rubbing the towel aggressively on your hair while it’s wet could damage your hair because at that state, your hair is vulnerable and more likely to break.

• Improper combing

Combing and styling your hair with the wrong styling tool can cause your hair to break. If you have thick or curly hair, it is best to use the wide-tooth comb. This will help detangle the hair and reduce possible breakage. Also, combing your hair too much could lead to breakage, it is recommended to comb only when you need to style your hair. You should also avoid brushing your hair when it’s wet.

Remedies

If what is broken can be fixed, then so can your hair. The following are the ways you can stop your hair from breaking

• If the reason why your hair is breaking is due to dryness, ensure your hair is often moisturized. You can achieve this by using an hydrating shampoo occasionally (avoid washing your hair daily) and a leave-in conditioner. You can also co-wash your hair instead by using a cleansing conditioner only to wash your hair. Natural oils like coconut oils, jojoba oil and olive oil should be used to seal in moisture.

• Avoid frequent application of heat in your hair. They extract moisture from your hair leaving it dry and causing it to break. If you must apply heat, ensure to use a heat protection spray .

• If your hair products contain harmful hair ingredients, you should consider changing them and getting new products free of those toxins.

• Use the correct styling combs for your hair texture, thickness and length to reduce possible breakage. You should also avoid brushing your hair when it’s wet.

• Chronic stress can also lead to hair breakage. You should find time to relax and get enough rest to restore your body and hair back to its healthy state.

• Instead of rubbing your towel on your wet hair to dry it, you should wrap the towel around your head instead preferably with a microfiber towel till it dries. You can also leave your hair to dry naturally or blow dry using medium to low heat.

• Avoid the use of elastic bands in packing your hair. You should also avoid regular tight updos and hairstyles like braids and cornrows. If you are to do it anyways, ensure it’s loose.

• If you don’t consume a balanced diet before, you should start it now. Your food should contain all the necessary nutrients like vitamins, proteins, zinc and iron your hair and body needs to grow and function properly. 

• If your hair loss is accompanied with depression and unexplainable weight gain, it could be hypothyroidism. You should see a healthcare professional on how to manage this.

• Lastly, You should wear satin or silk bonnets to sleep in order to keep moisture in your hair and prevent your hair from frizzing.

Hair breakage can be caused by a number of factors. Although this can be heartbreaking, it can be easily fixed by changing some things you’ve been doing wrongly. In some cases, it could be caused by underlying health issues that will need to be diagnosed by a healthcare professional.

 You should adopt the remedies stated above for positive changes and even healthier hair.