What Causes Hair Breakage and How to Repair It

Broken hair, like broken relationships, is not something you have to settle for. Although hair breakage is a common issue, it is possible to get your hair strong and healthy to prevent further issues. 

Understanding what causes hair breakage is the first step to preventing more damage and getting the healthy, luscious hair of your dreams. 

Hair breakage happens when the hair shaft becomes weak, and either breaks off or splits, leading to frayed, uneven ends. A number of factors, from hair care habits to health, can cause hair to become weak and damaged. 

Below, we’ve unpacked the 10 main causes of hair breakage and provided science-backed tips to getting stronger, healthier hair. 

Well, let’s dig in.

If you have hair breakage, you might notice split ends or broken hairs along the hair shaft or, in some cases, around your hairline. Your hair might also seem more brittle. At first glance, if you have a lot of breakage, it might look like thinning hair due to hair loss.

Hair breakage can be caused by many factors — and you might find that more than one may apply in your situation.

1. Heat Damage

If you rely heavily on heat styling, blow dryers, curling irons, or hair straighteners, you may want to dial down the heat. 

Research indicates that high heat can damage the hair shaft, leading to breakage. One study found that a hair dryer causes more surface damage than natural drying — and the higher the heat, the more damage it causes.

Beyond hair dryers and styling tools, a hot and dry climate could also damage hair and cause more breakage.

How to fix it: If you need to use heat tools, reducing the temperature, holding the dryer at least six inches away, and using a heat protectant product will help keep those strands healthy.

2. Chemical Damage

If you get chemical treatments to bleach, color, perm, or relax your hair, you could cause chemical damage. 

Chemical treatments can damage hair and lead to breakage, frizzy hair, weak and brittle hair, and loss of volume. 

How to fix it: Wherever possible, try to opt for gentle hair treatments, like low-ammonia or ammonia-free hair dye. If you can’t avoid chemically treating your hair, try to space your treatments out and use deep-conditioning hair masks to counteract the drying effects.  

Read more about how to repair chemically damaged hair. 

3. Bad Hair Care Products

Believe it or not, there are plenty of ingredients out there that can be bad for hair health.

Sulfates — like sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate — that are found in many shampoos and other hair products can have a drying effect on your hair. Although sulfates can be great for clarifying your scalp once in a while, you shouldn't use sulfate shampoos too frequently. 

How to fix it: Avoid using a formula that's too drying or products that irritate your scalp. Also, remember that you don't necessarily need to wash your hair every day. Overwashing can strip natural oils, leading to dry and brittle hair.

4. Tight Hairstyles

Listen, there’s nothing like an Ariana Grande-style ponytail to snatch a face. But there’s also nothing like an Ariana Grande ponytail to cause hair breakage. Seriously, ponytail hair loss is a real thing!

Tightly pulled-back hairstyles — including ponytails, buns, and braids — are common causes of hair breakage. They put a lot of tension on your hair, which can lead to hair breakage.

In addition to hair breakage, excessively tight hairstyles can lead over time to traction alopecia, a form of hair loss caused by prolonged or repetitive tension on the hair. The hair loss is initially reversible if you stop wearing tight hairstyles. However, if the strain continues over a long time, the hair follicles can become permanently damaged, leading to irreversible hair loss.   

Look for signs of traction alopecia, like hair breakage around your face or thinning hair wherever your hair is pulled tightly.

How to fix it: Loosen those hairstyles, girl. Ponytails, buns, and braids are okay, but try not to make them too tight. Be gentle when you take your hairstyles out, too — don’t pull roughly on your hair ties.

5. Brushing Your Hair Too Much

Remember the old adage about brushing your hair 100 strokes before bed? Yeaaa, you may want to hold off on that. 

Excessive brushing can put too much tension on the hair shaft and cause breakage and damage. 

On that note, you should be careful when detangling knots in your hair. Don’t brush it out roughly — rather, take a gentle approach.

How to fix it: Try not to be too rough when combing your hair. If you need to detangle your hair, use a wide-tooth comb and consider using a leave-in conditioner or detangling spray to make the process smoother and minimize damage. 

6. Strong-Hold Styling Products

Using excessive amounts of strong-hold hair products — think sprays, gels, and waxes — makes hair rigid. When stiff hair gets styled, it can tug and pull on hair follicles, which can contribute to hair breakage.

Plus, combing these products out of your hair subjects it to even more stress and strain.

How to fix it: Go au natural once in a while, if you can. Use hair styling products that have less of a strong hold. And be gentle when getting the products out of your hair.

7. Aggressive Towel Drying

Do you step out of the shower and dry your hair with a rough towel rub? You might want to consider hitting pause on that habit.

Rubbing your hair aggressively can cause hair damage and — you guessed it — breakage.

The same goes for any other time you might aggressively rub or pull on your hair, like when washing or styling it.

How to fix it: The American Academy of Dermatology suggests drying your hair by wrapping it in a towel. Alternatively, pat your hair dry gently or let it air-dry. Consider using a microfiber cloth or towel to dry your hair. They’re gentler on hair than regular cotton, so they cause less potential breakage.

8. Stress

While stress may not directly cause hair breakage, it can sometimes lead to temporary hair loss. And yes, stress-related hair loss is a real thing. 

Trichotillomania is one type of stress hair loss that may lead to you seeing some more split ends or other breakage. It’s when anxiety and stress cause you to pull out your hair, leading to hair breakage and hair loss.

How to fix it: Stress is a complicated issue, and while you can’t fully eradicate all stress from your life, it can be helpful to learn healthy coping techniques. Our guide on how to handle stress might come in handy.

9. Thyroid Disorders

Both underactive and overactive thyroids can be associated with changes in hair texture and strength, resulting in hair that’s more fragile and prone to breakage.

Thyroid issues can also cause diffuse hair shedding, meaning hair loss occurs evenly across the whole scalp, resulting in hair that appears thinner.  

How to fix it: If you have hair breakage that doesn’t seem related to hair habits or another more obvious underlying cause, consider reaching out to a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and get your thyroid checked. 

10. Diet

No, your hair’s not going to suddenly snap off when you take a bite of cheesecake, but what you eat can impact your hair health.

Important nutrients for maintaining healthy hair growth include:

• Protein

• Zinc

• Iron

• Biotin

 Lack of these nutrients may lead to brittle, thinning hair prone to breakage.  Certain nutritional deficiencies can even lead to temporary hair loss. 

How to fix it: You can generally get enough of these nutrients by eating a balanced, healthy diet. For more advice, take a look at our list of foods for healthy hair.

But if you would like some extra support, consider using a hair vitamin. Our biotin gummies contain biotin and other vitamins that are important for hair health.

Now that you know what causes hair breakage, it’s time to do something about it.

Follow these tips to stop your hair from breaking and boost your hair health.

Gently Brush Your Hair — But Not When It’s Wet

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends avoiding brushing wet hair, period.

When your hair is wet, it’s more prone to breakage. 

Here are some tips:

• If you’ve got straight hair, let it dry a bit before gently combing it with a wide-tooth comb.

• If you’ve got textured or curly hair, wait until your hair is damp — not wet — before combing it with a wide-tooth comb.

Remember, try not to tug or yank at your hair when brushing it.

And on that note, try not to go to sleep with wet hair, as the friction from your pillow can make it frizzy and damage it. Instead, wait until your hair is dry and sleep on a satin or silk pillowcase to minimize damage. 

Learn more about the best hair brushes you can use to ensure healthy hair.

Use a Hair Dryer the Right Way

To lessen your chances of breakage, use a hair dryer approximately six inches from the hair shaft. Try to continuously move the nozzle so you’re not focusing too much heat on one section of your hair for too long. Try lowering the heat, too.

If you use heat tools like flat irons or curlers, a heat protectant product might help reduce damage. 

Use Hydrating Hair Care Products 

Depending on your hair type, you can use formulas that will boost moisture with hydrating ingredients like coconut oil or argan oil. 

We offer a range of hair care products for women designed to target specific hair concerns without compromising on hydration.

Our volumizing shampoo is one good option to lessen breakage, strengthen hair, and boost volume.

And if you’re concerned about hair loss, our hair loss shampoo and conditioner are full of nourishing, hair-loving ingredients. 

Using a conditioner after every shampoo can help minimize dryness and hair damage. Opt for one with natural oils or silicones that can provide a thin protective coating to your hair strands. 

Hair struggling from a lack of moisture? Consider using a deep conditioning treatment on occasion — say, a nourishing hair mask or leave-in conditioner — to reduce frizz, improve hair elasticity, and add extra hydration.

Check out our guide to the best conditioners for dry hair.

Minoxidil

Hair breakage is one thing — hair loss is another. 

The good news? There are many hair loss treatments out there.

One of the most studied hair loss treatments, minoxidil, can be an effective treatment for hair loss and thinning. Commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine®, minoxidil is the only FDA-approved treatment for female pattern hair loss.  

Though its exact mechanism of action is still unknown, it’s believed to work by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles, thereby enhancing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients. It also extends the duration that hair follicles remain in the growth (anagen) phase of the hair cycle, which promotes thicker and longer hair. 

Minoxidil is available in different forms, including:

• Topical minoxidil. In a 2014 trial, researchers compared a 2% minoxidil solution applied twice a day with 5% foam applied once a day and found that both were effective in inducing hair regrowth in women with female pattern hair loss. Our minoxidil 2% solution drops and 5% foam are easy to apply and can help you regrow fuller, thicker hair.

• Oral minoxidil. Oral minoxidil is available as an off-label prescription treatment. It’s effective in promoting hair regrowth and is a convenient alternative, particularly for those who find applying a topical treatment challenging.

Not sure where to start? If you’ve noticed hair loss, it’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare professional about your treatment options. They can assess your hair health and suggest a way forward.

Why is my hair breaking? What are all these split ends about? Why is my hair breaking off in the front?

Don’t panic. We’ve got you. While it can take some time to restore dry ends and encourage healthy new hair growth, it is possible.

Remember these key points to prevent hair breakage and restore healthy hair:

• Be gentle with your hair. Take it easy when blow-drying or towel-drying your hair. Take a break from frequent coloring, relaxing, and heat styling. Get regular trims and switch up your hairstyles in favor of loose styles. Be gentle on yourself, too — stress won’t do your hair any favors.

• Get a proper hair care routine down. Use the right products for your hair type, and opt for moisturizing ingredients to repair damage and prevent breakage.

• Rule out underlying conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider to make sure you don’t have a nutritional deficiency or a thyroid condition that may be contributing to hair breakage. Eat a nourishing, balanced diet, and consider supplements to help your hair look its best.   

If you need a little help figuring things out, we’ve got you! Start a consultation with a healthcare provider today. They can recommend products, treatments, and steps you can take to battle breakage and regain your hair.