5 Types of Breakage and Solutions

The most important part of growing your hair is retaining the growth. Your hair is always growing, the average hair growth is about ½ inch per month. That means you are capable of growing 6 inches of hair per year, some may grow more and some may grow less. That is just average but you can use that knowledge to help set your personal hair growth goals. So, if you’re one of those people that thinks your hair just does not grow and has been the same length for forever you must be experiencing some type of breakage and the only way to stop it is to pinpoint exactly what type of breakage you are having. Once you pinpoint the type of breakage you are experiencing you can pay more attention to that area in particular and begin to make the necessary changes. 

Photo Credit: How To Prevent Breakage At The Crown

Ponytail Stress: Do you wear the same ponytail often- meaning is it in the exact same place? Does the top layers of hair stop before or right at the ponytail holder? This means you have to add more variety to your hair styles. The constant stress of ponytail holders, rubber bands, or other hair accessories in that same area is basically cutting your hair off and the more you continue to wear that ponytail the deeper it will continue to cut into your hair.

Solution: Stop wearing the pony! Let it rest, it is doing no good to your hair. Continue to keep your hair moisturized and style it differently while your hair grows in. Let your hair be free with your Afro or twist out style or rock a protective hair style.

Lack of Moisture: How often do you wash your hair? Do you condition it every single time after? Is the dryness at your ends? Are your ends dry and brittle, breaking off more in one area than another? These are signs of lack of moisture.

Solution: When you wash your hair, you are removing all the dirt, hair products, and all the oil in your hair- oil products and natural oils from your scalp so it is especially important for natural dry hair to be conditioned after each wash. Start using a deep conditioner product with a plastic hair cap every other wash to start healing your dry, brittle hair. Most deep conditioners are thicker and will add more nutrition to your hair. After applying the deep conditioner wear the plastic hair cap for 45 minutes to an hour. Your natural body heat will build up in the cap and will help to penetrate your hair with the nutrients. Rinse all conditioners with cool water- that will help to retain moisture and keep your hair smooth. You can also try different hot oil treatments and products aimed for really dry hair. Never sleep with your hair on cotton like a cotton bandanna scarf or pillow case. Always use a silk or satin scarf or pillowcase because cotton will absorb the oil in your hair.

Head scarf Stress: Do you see breakage in the back of your head, right behind the ears and in the nape of your head? Do you often wear a bandanna or scarf out and about or to sleep every night? The tension of the scarf being tied is causing the hair to break off in those areas. Also if you wear your scarf to sleep at night and you sleep on a certain side you may notice more hair breakage on that side in particular.

Solution: Put your scarves to rest for a while and just allow your hair to just grow in. If you want to keep your hair contained while you sleep use a satin bonnet or some other type of accessory with less tension.

Chemical Application: Have you been relaxing your hair excessively or overlapping bleach applications? Putting too many chemicals on your hair will cause it to become dry, brittle, and eventually break off.

Solution: You’re already doing it! You’re on your way to going all natural so you will no longer have to worry about breakage from chemical application. If you have bleached hair, you can go to your stylist and ask them to deposit black or your natural color so that your hair has a much healthier look.

Styling Tools: How often do you flatiron your hair or style your hair with a hot tool? What type of comb do you use to detangle your hair when it’s in its curliest state? What type of comb do you use while your hair is wet? Using hot tools very often will cause heat damage that can lead to hair breakage. Also using a small tooth comb while your hair is in its curliest state or wet can cause too much tension and may cause hair to break off right in the comb.

Solution: Always use a wide tooth comb or your fingers to detangle your hair while it is wet. You can use your wide tooth comb while you condition your hair to detangle your hair before you rinse so that it is easier to style once you are ready. This is a delicate state for your hair so you want to be especially gentle while detangling. Detangle your hair in small sections and moisturize as you go to make it easier. Also, always comb your hair from tip to root, never be forceful with your hair and use a hair-detangling product if necessary.

When you notice any breakage in your hair, the best thing to do is to get in control of it so that it does not continue. Once you get a hair routine going and stick to it you’ll find it really easy to manage your hair and continue on your path to strong, healthy, natural hair.

-Telearamaine