One of the first signs of hair breakage is seeing a lot of hair entangled in the comb. I know it hurts. To some people, it may even take away your peace and cause sleepless nights. This is attributed to unhealthy eating habits, improper hygiene, inadequate hair care, and excessive use of heat and chemical-based hair styling methods. There are several supplements and medicines available on the market to repair damage. Not only are they expensive, but they also fail to live up to their claim.
It is beneficial to treat your hair with natural and herbal remedies as a treatment for hair breakage. In this article, we will look at potent natural remedies and effective tips that will solve your hair breakage issue.
What does hair breakage mean?
Hair breakage implies breaking of the hair shaft that results in split ends. In such a situation, hair strands start to become shorter in length.
Why Is My Hair Breaking?
Hair breakage is mostly a result of improper care of hair. It is often caused by the following reasons:
- chemical buildup,
- Excessive use of heat styling products like hair perming, hair straitening, hair curling, etc.
- using wrong type of hair brush,
- over brushing
- chemical-based hair coloring
- Lack of moisture
- Washing hair using hard water
- Blow drying hair
- Sleeping on cotton pillows
- Tying hair in an updo style (on the crown of the head) in a towel after shower
All the above reasons cause your hair strands to become weak and susceptible to breakage. This leads to friction between hair strands. This ultimately leads to breakage of hair.
Natural Ways To Stop Hair Breakage
Here are a few natural remedies that will help you tackle your hair breakage problem effectively.
1. Moisturize your hair
One of the major reasons why your hair can become damaged is due to lack of moisture. It can get dry, brittle, and break off quickly. In such a scenario, lubrication is the key to preventing hair damage. You should deep-condition your hair by moisturizing your hair daily. Let us see the right way to do it.
2. Hot oil massage
Hair mostly breaks because of improper nutrition. To fulfill this requirement, it is required to give a lukewarm oil massage to them. This can be done with coconut oil, olive oil, almond oil, or various other oils that we are going to mention in detail below. Oil massage works by moisturizing the hair from the root level. It repairs damage and prevents them from getting broken easily.
To make these oils more effective, you can mix vitamin E with them to maximize their advantages. Massage your hair properly using any of the below-listed oils. Now properly cover your hair with a clean shower cap. Keep it overnight, and let the oil do its magic. Wash your hair on the next day.
- Coconut oil: It is a natural moisturizer that conditions your hair. Lauric acid present in this oil protects your hair from fungal infections. It is effective in protecting hair from dandruff and hair breakage.
- Castor Oil: Castor oil is a remarkable agent that nourishes and strengthens your hair. It has ricinoleic acid that enhances blood circulation to the scalp and prevents its breakage.
- Almond Oil: Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E that nourishes your cells from deep within. It helps your hair regain its lost thickness and radiance. In addition to it, this oil also has beneficial components that include omega-3 fatty acids and magnesium, which nourish your hair from the root level and protect it from any breakage.
- Chamomile Oil: This oil shows remarkable anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties that aid in the treatment of an inflamed scalp. Chamomile oil is good for the treatment of damaged and dry hair. It has antifungal properties that prevents all sorts of fungal infections on the scalp.
- Argan Oil: This oil has loads of vitamins A, C, and E in it. Its antioxidant properties protect your hair from any breakage and damage. Omega-6 fatty acids and linoleic acid moisturize your hair and keep it healthy.
- Garlic Oil: Hair is composed of keratin. Garlic has an abundance of Sulphur that helps in synthesizing keratin blocks. Moreover, garlic also possesses antioxidant and antifungal properties that protect the hair and scalp from any form of fungal infection and breakage. Prepare garlic oil by heating 6 cloves of garlic in 100 ml of coconut oil for 15 minutes on low flame. Strain it and apply the mixture to your scalp. Let it stay for an hour and wash it.
- Carrot oil: Carrot oil has good amounts of beta-carotene, vitamins A, and E that promote healthy hair. Its antifungal, antibacterial, and healing properties help you deal with brittle hair and a dry scalp.
- Onion Juice: Onion is rich in Sulphur. This compound strengthens hair from the root level so that it doesn’t break easily. Furthermore, onion juice boosts blood circulation and nourishes your hair. It also aids in the growth of new hair. Grate the onion, extract its juice, and apply it to your hair. Leave it for an hour and rinse it off.
Homemade Hair Masks to Treat Hair Breakage
Hair masks prepared from natural remedies are also found to be equally potent, just like hair oils. Let us see some of the effective hair masks and the ways to apply it.
1. Green Tea and Coconut Oil Mask
Green tea has catechins that show remarkable antioxidant, antifungal, and inflammatory properties that strengthen, nourishe, and prevent hair thinning and fungal infections from the scalp and hair. Mix half a tablespoon of this tea with 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Apply this mixture uniformly all over the scalp. Rinse them after an hour. Follow this procedure once a week.
2. Egg Hair Mask
Eggs have plenty of proteins that strengthen and nourishes your hair and gives them natural radiance and bounce. It not only conditions your hair but also makes them strong. To make this mask, combine egg yolk with rosemary or almond essential oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair for an hour. Wash it off with a mild shampoo.
3. Aloe Vera Mask
Aloe vera is a potent healing herb for hair and skin. It shows brilliant moisturizing, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties that prevent hair breakage and dandruff. All you require is to combine almond oil with Aloe vera gel in equal proportions. Apply it to cover your scalp and hair properly. Let it rest for thirty minutes on the scalp and wash it off.
4. Avocado and Egg Mask
Avacado is a natural conditioner. It is a rich source of minerals and vitamins that nourish your scalp and hair. Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, it makes your hair lustrous and healthy. Mix half of the peeled avocado in one egg yolk and make a paste. Now apply it to wet hair. Let it stay for some time, for a minimum of twenty minutes. Wash off with shampoo. Perform it two times in a month.
All these natural remedies help in controlling hair breakage. Choose any one of them of your choice, and follow it diligently to get the best results.
How Can Proper Diet Help In Prevention Of Hair Breakage?
In addition to externally treating your hair with natural remedies, you should also nourish your body from inside. Consume nutrients that are important for nourishing your hair and making it strong. Vitamin D, Biotin (Vitamin 7), Vitamin E, and Vitamin C are very essential for making your hair strong, lustrous, and nourished.
When you consume foods that have these nutrients on a daily basis, then your hair follicles get strengthened. Some of the best sources to get these nutrients is by eating citrus fruits, cheese, leafy vegetables, and eggs. Consult with your doctor if you can take it in the form of supplements in addition to food.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse
An imbalanced pH on the scalp can negatively impact the health of your hair and scalp. It can leave them damaged and dry. To restore normal levels of pH and provide a better environment for hair to grow, use Apple Cider Vinegar.
Acetic acid in this vinegar balances the overall pH of the scalp and makes your hair soft and less prone to breakage. Moreover, ACV also possesses antimicrobial properties that keep scalp infections at bay.
To use it, dilute a tablespoon of ACV in two cups of water and mix well. Rinse your hair with this solution. Perform this remedy once in a week.
2. Tips to prevent hair breakage
In addition to the above remedies, you also need to take extra care and make an extra effort while treating your hair on a daily basis. Follow these tips diligently to prevent any further damage to your hair.
- Trim hair once a month. It will help you relieve the problem of split ends and breakage to your hair.
- Avoid using hair styling products that include ironing, blow drying, etc.
- Don’t use chemical-based hair color and dyes. Apply henna, as it is a natural and safe option to color your hair.
- Be regular in massage your scalp and hair twice a week.
- Keep your hair well moisturized.
- Don’t wash your hair every day, as it will take away moisture from the hair, and frequent exposure to chemicals causes damage to it.
- Stay hydrated and eat plenty of fresh fruits, fish, vegetables, healthy fluids, and lean meat.
- Lose up your hair from time to time.
- Excess protein, when consumed for longer periods, can leave your hair brittle.
- Avoid use of heat-based hair straightening and curling products, as application of heat can weaken your hair and make it break.
- Maintain the best level of hygiene. Use a natural shampoo to clean your hair twice a week and follow it with a moisturizer. If your hair are oily, you may need to wash it three times a week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Breakage
1. Does wet combing lead to hair breakage?
When your hair are in a wet state, they are more susceptible to breakage. Combing at that time can increase the chances of breaking them. So, wait for your hair to get dry before you comb them.
2. How can scalp hygiene prevent hair breakage?
One of the key reasons for hair damage is dirty scalp. Dust and dirt clog the hair pores and hair follicles, which makes them deficient in nutrition. This makes it prone to infections and hair damage.
3. How can my hair style cause hair breakage?
When you keep your hair tied in weaves and braids for longer time, then it creates tension in the hair fiber and causes breakage.
4. What foods help in preventing hair breakage immediately?
Milk, eggs, yogurt, walnuts, and almonds have plenty of essential nutrients such as Vitamin B12, proteins, antioxidants, zinc, Omega-6 fatty acids, and biotin that stops hair breakage.
5. What role do vitamins play in hair breakage?
Vitamin C aids in the production of collagen to form blood vessels. Vitamin D3 aids in synthesizing keratin that forms your hair. It stimulates hair follicles to grow. Biotin, or Vitamin 7, promotes hair growth.
6. What is the right way to comb hair to prevent hair breakage?
Doctors advise you to comb your hair both before and after washing. The right way to comb is by using a wide-tooth comb prior to washing them. As combs are mostly seen at the nape area, start from the ends and move up to the roots. A pre-wash moisturizer will make it easier for you to detangle your hair strands. It will prevent its breaking at the time of combing.
7. What illnesses can cause hair breakage?
Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, alopecia areata, and scalp disorders such as ringworm, lichen planus, and lupus, can be the reason for hair damage. Your dermatologist will guide you on how to treat these disorders and prevent hair breakage.
Conclusion
No one on this earth would want their hair to become damaged and brittle. Your hair enhances your appearance. It is your crowning glory. Natural remedies are the simplest and most affordable treatment for the prevention of hair breakage. One of the most comfortable things about it is that you need not look for the right ingredients. Messaging your hair with these therapeutic oils and adopting the right hair care techniques will prevent breakage and make them soft and shiny.
I hope you liked this article. Please share it with your family and friends on social media. If you have any queries, then do write to us. We would be happy to solve them at the earliest.
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