Find out the main reasons why you have thin and brittle hair. Why does our hair become brittle, what are the most important factors for this phenomenon?
There are basically three reasons for this condition. The first is related to the use of hairdryers and hair straighteners, chemical processes, long exposure to strong sun. The second reason is lack of protein and moisture. The third reason is considered to be a deficiency of parathyroid hormone and in this case, a large amount of dandruff is noticed.
On a daily basis, a person loses 50 to 100 hairs, but do not worry it is quite common. Because it is negligible given that we have 10,000 hair follicles on the top of the head.
However, things can quickly deteriorate and go in the wrong direction, the hair can become dry brittle, and start falling out.
10 reasons why hair becomes brittle
Let’s find out the main reasons why your hair becomes brittle.
In addition to the three main reasons we have listed, there are several others that affect the hair and make it brittle, so let’s start immediately.
1. You skip meals
Eating or consuming food regularly is important not only for general health but also for the quality of hair and its health.
When you do not get enough calories, your body redirects all its energy to basic functions such as the heart and brain.
At such times our body neglects the hair. Try to make your diet as high in protein as possible and certainly do not skip meals.
2. You are exposed to too much sun
Prolonged exposure to heat and sunlight can dry out the hair and it then becomes brittle. At the same time, in addition to becoming brittle, there is damage to the scalp, which then leads to hair loss.
Therefore, whenever you can, use a hat when exposed to the sun to protect your hair.
3. You tighten your hair too much
Braids, tails, and similar hairstyles create a huge and constant tension of the hair follicles near the roots. If you feel that your hairstyle tightens the skin of the face, be sure to release the pressure.
It is best to sleep with loose hair and use soft and comfortable rubber clamps, which will not damage your hair.
4. Wash your hair with too hot water
We have all heard that the final hair wash should be with lukewarm water and not hot water, it all has a reason.
Hot water dehydrates the hair, leaving it dry, brittle, and prone to falling out. Hot water can also increase the population of germs and bacteria on the head.
You will not go wrong if you use a shampoo that contains selenium, zinc, and antifungal properties.
5. Use a hairdryer and hair straightener too often
It is obvious that the sources of strong heat negatively affect the hair and make it brittle.
Limit their use to 2-3 times a week, sometimes when it is hot let the hair dry naturally. When you already have to use hair dryers, then set them to the coldest possible settings.
Dry your hair with a hairdryer at the lowest temperature. Keep the hairdryer at a distance of 15cm from your hair. Never hold on to a strand for more than 15 seconds.
It is also very important to use heat protection products whenever you use a hair straightener or curling iron.
read more: Benefits of Almond Oil for Hair, and How to Use
6. Combing wet hair
Combing wet hair on one side is nice because it will be easier to comb the hair, but this way of combing is wrong, and here’s why?
Our threads are the weakest and prone to abrasion when wet.
Combing completely wet hair and coarse rubbing with a towel create ideal conditions for hair breakage and the creation of brittle hair.
Therefore, try to dry your hair naturally as often as you can and comb it before washing.
7. Chemical treatments
Chemical treatments cause damage to your hair and therefore you should reduce and avoid them, and here is why. Keratin treatments are especially harmful, they act directly on the hair cuticles and remove their layer.
They penetrate deeper into the middle layer, also known as the cortex layer.
Why is this layer important?
It is important due to the fact that it affects the texture, color, and strength of hair.
The more we use chemical treatments, the more we damage our hair, so we should avoid them.
8. Hormonal changes
The hormonal changes that occur are a factor that also affects the health of the hair.
Especially in the periods of menopause and pregnancy, when disorders in the body can often occur, and the appearance of brittle hair.
In such situations, it is not bad to consult a doctor.
9. Use of the wrong shampoos
Shampoos are similar at first glance, but there is a difference between them.
Just as there are shampoos for oily hair, there are shampoos for dry and brittle hair. Of course, you need to choose the right shampoo for brittle hair.
And one more thing to be careful about, and that is the fact that some shampoos give a better effect than others.
There is no harm to brittle hair if a hair conditioner is used, its very name confirms its purpose.
read more: How to Remove Dandruff on Hair-15 Amazing Tips
10. Poor diet
Nutrition is one of the most important factors for both hair and overall health. Through food, we get everything the hair needs.
Hair masks work immediately and are short-lived, but a healthy diet works slowly, but the effect is much more lasting in the long run.
The worse our diet, the more damage we will do to your hair. You will not take in nutrients to regenerate it, it starts to become brittle as well as dry and may start to decline.
A healthy diet full of protein and vitamins A, C, D, and others is what the hair needs to be healthy, beautiful, and shiny.
Conclusion
The hair is beautiful and shiny that improves our appearance, makes us look more beautiful. But hair sometimes becomes brittle, causing it to lose its beauty and health.
The main causes of brittle hair are excessive heat exposure, poor diet, and hormonal imbalances.
Although there are some other factors that affect the hair such as washing with hot water, wrong shampoos, combing wet hair, etc.
Use the tips we have shared with you, avoid them and your hair will be much healthier, more elastic, and shiny.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to hydrate my hair?
Nothing without intense hydration of your hair, and here’s how to do it. Just like the skin of the whole body, the scalp must be optimally hydrated – to be healthy and to function well. Understandably, the first step is to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
The second step is the application of moisturizers. But this does not mean rubbing the intended preparations several times during the day, as we do with the skin of the face, hands, and body.
It is impractical and unnecessary. Hydrating the scalp once or twice a week is enough.
Simply, after the final rinsing of the shampoo, in addition to the ends of the hair, rub a little conditioner into the scalp as well.
There are hair serums and tonics that are used immediately after washing, do not rinse and are very effective.
How to do hair peeling?
Removing the layer of dead cells from the surface of the scalp improves the health of the epidermis, stimulates the follicles, and allows faster hair growth.
Gentle exfoliation also ensures the removal of sticky or greasy residue from hair styling products, which often cannot be removed by shampooing.
If the scalp is in good condition, then it is enough to do a gentle exfoliation once or twice a month.
But if you have itchy scalp or dandruff, exfoliation once a week is recommended.
The simplest way to do this is with an auxiliary product that you will rub thoroughly into the scalp, leave it to act, and then wash it off with water and apply shampoo.
It can also be done manually, using a soft brush (the most practical is the one for brushing teeth with rubber tips).
Massage the scalp and remove the layer of dead cells, then wash your hair with shampoo.
Another option is to add a teaspoon of sugar to the shampoo and thus make a peeling product yourself.
How to protect your hair from UV radiation?
A key factor in protection is the prevention of damage to the scalp caused by UV rays.
Dermatologists say that keratoses on the scalp, caused by sunlight, often cause hair loss and even cancer.
Therefore, when you are in the sun, be sure to protect your hair with sunscreen.
If you have long hair, tie it in a ponytail or in a ponytail – this is an additional type of protection.
During the summer, wear a hat, and in winter – a hat.
How to prevent hair from being brittle?
To avoid brittle hair, you should avoid too much heat, ie hair dryers, hair presses.
Be careful and avoid the sun’s rays in the summer.
Use shampoos that suit your hair type, and practice a healthy diet rich in protein and vitamins A, C, D, and E.
Also read: Is Silicone Bad for Hair or Not?
