Dry, frizzy, damaged? Is this how you would describe your hair? If so, you are in the right place. Our hair goes through a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis and over time, it becomes weak leaving it more susceptible to breakage. We have put together a list of some of the most common causes of hair breakage and what you can do about them.

  1. Be Gentle

  2. When hair is wet it is more fragile. When you forcefully dry it with a towel or brush through it excessively you are causing damage resulting in hair breakage and weakening of the hair shaft. Use a wide toothed comb when brushing wet hair and if possible allow it to air dry.

  3. Keep it cool

  4. Too much heat also weakens the hair. When using curlers or straightening irons, lower the heat and use a heat protecting product like the Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer leave in spray or Living proof instant protection spray. When blow drying, keep it at a distance. According to a 2011 study by the NCBI, keeping the dryer at a distance of 15 cm away from the head and moving it continuously will result in less damage.

  5. Treat yourself with a massage

  6. Who doesn’t love a massage? A study carried out by the NCBI showed that massaging the scalps for 4 minutes on a daily basis can promote blood flow to the area resulting in thicker and stronger hair over time. This can be done while washing your hair or using a scalp massaging tool.

  7. Take it easy with hair treatments

  8. Coloring, hair relaxers and perms all use chemicals and bleaches that causes the hair to be weak, frizzy and more prone to breakage. Limiting how often you have these treatments can help minimize this damage. The ADD recommends leaving at least 8-10 weeks or longer between these treatments.

  9. Let it flow

  10. Did you know that having your hair up in tight hairstyles can make it weak and even cause hair loss? [1] The constant pulling leads to splitting, breaking and damage to the follicle. When styling make sure you are keeping it loose and invest in some good quality ties like Silk Scrunchies or Kitsch coil hair ties that are designed to reduce damage.

    valotin hair strengthening products
    Stop hair breakage with these strengthening products and hair-breakage treatments. Image/Dermspotlight
  11. Hair supplements

  12. You need to support your hair from the inside as well. Like other parts of the body our strands also needs nutrients to grow strong. Take a supplement that contains vitamins and minerals designed to support healthy hair growth.

    According to Trista Best, who is a registered Dietitian, “The link between healthy hair and our diet is stronger than we often realize and by making a few changes, hair loss prevention and even reversal can be achieved. Foods or supplements to integrate into our diet or supplement regimen are rich in vital nutrients like biotin, zinc, and protein.”

    • Valotin Hair Growth Support Supplement
    • This supplement is rich in vitamins, botanical extracts, and minerals that speed up healthy hair growth. Ingredients: Zinc, Iron, Folic acid, Vitamin D3. With regular use, your hair will be supported through it’s natural growth process.

      Cost: $24.95

    • Viviscal Hair growth Supplements
    • This helps to nourish thinning hair and helps promote healthy growth. Ingredients include Biotin, Zinc, Iron, Vitamin C, along with their signature ingredient Amino Mar C.This marine protein complex is unique to Viviscal. Research has shown, that this complex can help reduce hair shedding and improve thickness of the hair. [2]

      Cost: $49.99

    • Nutrafol
    • It works by fighting off inflammation and free radicals that impair follicle function. Vitamin E, keratin, marine-based collagen, and hyaluronic acid speed up growth and promotes absorption of hair-boosting nutrients.

      Cost: $88

    • GROH® Hair Growth Boost
    • It features a key antioxidant ingredient called Ergothioneine that is naturally found in mushrooms. GROH combines this with VitaminD2. According to their website, they claim that this combo is the ‘most potent methods known to date for stimulating healthier, thicker and fuller hair, lashes and brows’. [3]

      Cost: $40.00

  13. Use the correct Shampoo and Conditioner

  14. To help reverse any damage that has occurred invest in good quality hair products;

    • Ultrax Labs Hair Surge Shampoo and Hair Solaye Conditioner
    • Helps to nourish the hair and strengthen the hair follicle. This brand focuses on the use of Caffeine in their products. Some studies have shown topical application of caffeine helps with the stimulation and promotion of hair growth.

      Cost: Shampoo $79.99 & Conditioner $59.99

    • Valotin Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner
    • This brand is packed with Provitamin B5, Biotin, and botanical ingredients that all help to strengthen and repair the hair. Making it look and feel thicker and stronger.

      Cost: Shampoo $30.95 & Conditioner $30.95

    • Redken Extreme Strengthening Shampoo and Conditioner.
    • This range strengthens and fortifies weakened areas. A smart, targeted delivery system, the exclusive RCT Protein Complex treats hair from the root to the core to the tip, giving hair all the nourishment it needs.

      Cost: Shampoo $38.50 & Conditioner $38.50

    • Viviscal Densifying Shampoo and Conditioner
    • This range of products provides moisture to hair, leaving it looking thicker and shiny. It contains their Ana:Tel™, a proprietary complex that includes clinically tested ingredients derived from natural sources, such as pea sprouts and grape seeds, combined with Biotin, Keratin and Zinc.

      Cost: Shampoo $9.99 & Conditioner $9.99

  15. Serums

  16. Applying a serum can also help to protect and strengthen your hair. When applied, the serum coats the hair strands which can then help protect from heat damage, chemical damage and repeated styling.

    • Aloxxi Thickening Serum
    • Formulated with Apple stem cells, which have been shown to increase the lifespans of the hair follicles, leading to stronger and healthier hair.
      Cost: $29.00

    • John Frieda Frizz Ease extra strength 6 effect serum
    • A serum that helps to controls frizz by smoothing and adding hydration to each hair strand. When applied to wet hair, it helps lock in extra moisture resulting in stronger hair that won’t snap or break as easily.

      Cost: $20.82

    • Valotin Strengthening Serum
    • This formula is a blend of vitamins and softening essential oils like coconut oil, aloe vera and Vitamin B5 and with regular use may help maintain strong hair

      Cost: $22.95

Hair breakage can be annoying but the good news is that it can be fixed. Taking a holistic approach to hair care and being consistent with these changes can help reduce any breakage. Being gentle with your hair when styling, using the appropriate products for your hair type, and getting the nutrition that your hair needs will strengthen it over time, leaving it stronger and healthier.

Nicola Katherina Monaghan

By Nicola Katherina Monaghan

Nicola Monaghan, Medical Aesthetician in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She currently practices at Dermatology on Bloor.