How to Prevent Hair Breakage: Proven Tips for Stronger, Healthier Hair

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We all strive for smooth, healthy-looking hair without the presence of pesky split ends but nearly everyone has been there — trying to fight breakage.

If only there was a way to stop hair breakage from occurring in the first place… oh, wait!

Combatting the effects of a full head of hair from naturally fragile, chemically exposed and daily life will leave your locks protected — if you read on.

However, proper techniques and a few tweaks to your daily routine can prevent hair breakage — meaning that those precious inches along with the overall health of your locks will remain intact.

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to the beautiful hair that doesn’t break!

Let’s find out how to prevent hair breakage and keep your hair strong.

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How to Prevent Hair Breakage and Keep Your Hair Strong

If your hair would snap off at the drop of a hat (literally) then welcome to the club.

Hair breakage can be attributed to a number of factors ranging from heat styling and chemical treatments, as well as how you brush your hair or the products you use.

The good news is, avoiding breakage and protecting your hair from dryness can be as simple as breaking a few bad habits.

Moisturize and Deep Condition Regularly

For the most efficient results, it is vital to moisturize and deep condition hair often.

Since dry hair tends to break much easier, it is important that one keeps the strands moisturized in order prevent this from being a prominent issue.

Use a deep conditioner weekly treating the ends of your hair where breakage is most common because it dries out.

Focus on hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, argan oil, and coconut.

Bonus: Use a leave-in conditioner for prolonged hydration in between washes.

Long brown hair with visible dryness, frizz, and signs of breakage throughout the length.

by reddit user ContributionNo7075

Limit Heat Styling

Too much heat styling can suck the life out of your hair by removing precious moisture and making it more prone to snapping.

Cut back on the use of that hair dryer, flat iron or curling tongs where you can and let your mop breathe with natural styles (it will be en vogue very soon…) resort to air-drying maybe.

And when you do have to use heat on your hair (because let’s face it, no one wants frizz all the time), make sure to apply a heat protectant spray before using any type of styling tool.

Use your heat styling tools at a lower temperature, every little helps and over time this reduces the amount of breakage.

Back view of long blonde hair showing visible breakage and frizz throughout the length.

by reddit user _wormgrl

Brush and Detangle Your Hair Gently

Especially when you start at the roots and tug through — this is a big cause of hair breakage.

Instead of starting at the roots, work from the ends on up with a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush specifically designed for wet hair.

It provides the least amount of tension on your hair so you will survive more shedding.

Use a conditioning spray or detangling serum to prep hair against knots before combing, especially if your strands form tangles easily.

Close-up of hair showing split ends and signs of dryness.

by reddit user PRCTV

Say No to Tight Hairstyles and Elastics

Wearing your hair in tight buns, ponytails or braids stresses and over time can weaken locks.

Pick more loose styles and if you can, use scrunchies or cloth covered elastics as opposed to rubber bands that are often just too tight on hair thereby pulling/breaking them.

Changing your parting line to part on the opposite side daily won’t stress one spot only.

Trim Your Hair Regularly

Stay Regular: Trimming your hair regularly is essential in maintaining healthy, split-end-free locks.

Regular trims every 6 to ​8 weeks can stop a split end from inching higher and punishing the hair shaft, causing more extensive breakage.

Consider it a preemptive measure to keep the length and avoid damage for as long as you can.

Use Silk or Satin Pillowcases

Cotton bedsheets can rub more while you sleep and cause hair to break at a faster rate.

Switch to a silk or satin pillowcase: Silk and satin represent other types of fabric that are smooth enough for your hair not to get caught in the fibers, preventing tangling.

This slightest change can significantly affect those of you who have the issue with breakage in your crown or ends.

Nourish Your Hair from Within

Hair that is healthy requires a nutritious diet and adequate hydration.

Include foods that contain a good content of vitamins and minerals especially the ones promoting healthy hair growths like spinach, nuts, eggs.

One other way to assist in keeping your hair elastic and strong is by staying properly hydrated each day of the week.

Close-up of hair showing visible signs of breakage and frizz.

by reddit user summerthebunn9

FAQs on Reducing Hair Breakage and Protecting Your Strands

Preventing the incidence of hair breakage is more than just about having good products, it also entails treating your hair differently to reduce damage.

These are all common questions and potential answers, that could have an impact in your quest to healthier more robust hair.

  • What are some daily habits to avoid if I want to prevent hair breakage?

    For example, minimize the amount of heat styling you do and opt for gentle detangling tools. And try not to wear your hair tight too often by wearing it down in buns or pulling ponytails loose instead of keeping them up high on your crown all day long!

  • Is hair breakage the same as hair loss?

    Hair breakage, which is the breaking of hair shaft only occurs on the hair strand and loss refers to when strands fall out from your follicle.

  • Can I repair already broken hair?
    You may not have the ability to reverse this damage, but keeping up with regular hair cuts and conditioning treatments will keep your strands under control.

Additional Tips for Long-Lasting Hair Strength

These preventatives, in conjunction with a few lifestyle shifts and new hair care practices go one step towards minimizing hair breakage even further so that you maintain the strength of your locks increase them.

  • Does washing frequency affect hair breakage?

    Over-washing can wash away natural oils, which causes your hair to become dry and brittle.

    Try to only wash your hair every few days unless you have a valid reason for needing to do it more frequently.

  • What kind of brush is best for avoiding breakage?

    Always detangle your locks using a soft-bristle brush or wide-toothed comb instead of harsh brushes that yank and tug at tangles from the hair.

  • Can environmental factors lead to hair breakage?

    Of course you might be wondering, how is your skin similar to hair and the truth of it all boils downd to a couple factors such as: — Sun exposure, pollution, and wind.

    With all of these hair in general would get damaged.

    Protective hairstyles or a hat is highly recommended when you are outside for longer hours.

Follow these tips and you can be on your way to healthier hair that is less prone to breakage.

Taking these steps can help you preserve your hair’s natural beauty and maintain it, so that every single day of the week is a perfect-hair-day.

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Abbey Emer, an expert hairstylist and passionate beauty advocate, is the vibrant Editor-in-Chief of LooksNiceOnMe.

With her extensive experience in hairstyling and a keen eye for beauty trends, Abbey brings a touch of elegance and creativity to every article.

Her renowned hair tutorials and dedication to empowering individual expression set her apart as a leader in the beauty community.

Abbey's philosophy: Embrace your uniqueness and let your hair tell your story.