Have you ever been a little scared when you comb your hair in the morning, or when you see the hair on the bathroom floor after a shower? Sometimes you even see hair on your pillowcase and think, "What is happening to my hair?" It's normal for a healthy person to lose about 100 hairs a day. However, if you feel that your hair is falling out more than usual, especially if the hairs are breaking in the middle instead of falling out at the beginning, that's the condition we're talking about today .
What does hair breakage really mean?
Simply put, there is a difference between hair loss and hair breakage. When we talk about hair loss, we usually mean that the hair follicle, which is where it is attached to the scalp, falls out. This is a natural process. A new hair follicle grows back from where it was lost.
But hair breakage is a different story. It's not just the roots of the hair, but rather the hair that breaks at any point along the length of the hair shaft – from the middle to the ends. This is because the hair shaft's strength, or the outer protective covering (cuticle), is weakened. It's like a strand of yarn breaking in the middle. When hair starts breaking like this, the length of the hair decreases and the hair loses its healthy appearance.
What are the main causes of hair loss?
Some of the things we do without realizing it and our health conditions can directly affect this. Let's look at the main reasons.
| Reason | How it affects is simple. |
|---|---|
| Bad habits you do every day | Combing wet hair too hard, pulling hair tightly (e.g., tight ponytails), using high heat to dry hair (hair dryer, straightener), and frequently applying various chemicals to hair (coloring, relaxing/perming). |
| Nutritional deficiencies | If your diet doesn't contain enough nutrients like iron, protein, and zinc, it directly affects the strength of your hair. Since hair is made up of protein, when there is a lack of protein, the hair shaft becomes weak and breaks easily. |
| Health problems and stress | Things like thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances, and excessive stress can also increase hair breakage. |
| Incorrect product use | Using hair styling products that contain alcohol, which can dry out your hair, and not using a conditioner that is suitable for your hair are also major causes of hair dryness and breakage. |
Additionally, there is a medical condition called `Trichorrhexis nodosa`. This is where the hair shaft develops small knots, which can cause the hair to break easily. Although it is more common in people of African descent with curly hair, it can affect anyone whose hair has been damaged by excessive heat or chemicals .
How to tell if your hair is breaking? (Symptoms)
Pay attention to these signs to know if your hair is breaking.
- Split ends: If the ends of your hair are split in two or three places, it is a major symptom.
- Hair feels rough and dry: If your hair feels rough and dry to the touch, it means your hair is lacking moisture. Dry hair breaks easily.
- Hair loss at a uniform length: You may notice that your hair is thinning in places. This means that your hair is breaking in the middle before it grows back.
- Small pieces of hair falling out when combing: If, instead of long strands of hair, small, broken pieces remain on the comb when combing, that is also a sign that your hair is breaking.
- Small white dots: You may sometimes see small white dots along the hair shaft. These are areas where the hair shaft has become weak and is close to breaking.
The most important thing is that if you feel like your hair isn't growing long, one reason could be that the old hair is breaking off in the middle as the new hair grows.
What can be done to treat hair loss?
The best thing is, there are things we can do to control this, as well as medical treatment we can get if needed.
Treatments you can do at home
1. Using the right conditioner: This is one of the best and easiest ways to treat hair breakage. Conditioner temporarily repairs the outer layer of the hair shaft, making it easier to comb. Using a leave-in conditioner or deep-conditioning mask that is suitable for your hair type once a week will give you great results.
2. Be gentle with your hair: Gently towel dry your wet hair, rather than rubbing it vigorously. Use a wide-toothed comb to detangle your hair.
3. Stay away from heat and chemicals: Reduce the use of hair dryers and straighteners as much as possible. If you do use them, use them on the lowest heat setting. Stop coloring and relaxing your hair for a while and give your hair a rest.
Medical treatment
If your hair loss is difficult to control with home remedies, the best thing to do is to see a dermatologist . The doctor will examine you, find the real cause of your hair loss, and prescribe the right treatment.
- Medications: Sometimes, your doctor may recommend topical medications like Minoxidil to treat hair loss and thinning. There are also medications like Propecia or Dutasteride to treat hair thinning in men. However, any of these medications should only be used under the supervision of a doctor.
- Hair Transplant : This involves taking hair from an area of the head where there is good hair growth and replanting it in areas where there is less hair growth.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy: This involves separating the plasma from your own blood sample and injecting it back into your scalp. It is believed to stimulate hair growth.
How to prevent hair breakage?
Isn't it easier to take care of your hair without damaging it than to treat it? Here are some simple things you can do to help.
- Balanced diet: Eat a diet rich in protein ( fish , eggs , lentils), iron (spinach, meat, soy), and zinc (nuts, cashews). Good nutrition is essential for healthy hair.
- Stress management : Stress is not good for your hair. Try to relax your mind through things like yoga and meditation.
- Proper hairstyles: Avoid pulling your hair tightly. If you feel pain when styling a hairstyle, it means it is harmful to your hair. If you wear braids or hair extensions, take them out at least once every two months and give your hair a rest.
- Choosing the right products: Choose hair products that are labeled alcohol-free . Use a shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair type.
- Trimming regularly: Trimming your hair at least once every two months helps prevent split ends.
If your hair loss doesn't improve despite these steps, it could be a sign of an underlying health problem. So, without further ado , see your family doctor or a dermatologist for advice.
Take-Home Message
- It's normal to lose 50-100 hairs a day, but hair breakage is something to be concerned about.
- Excessive heat, chemicals, tight hairstyles, and nutritional deficiencies are the main causes of hair breakage.
- Using a good conditioner that suits your hair type is one of the simplest and best ways to reduce hair breakage.
- A balanced diet, gentle care, and stress management are essential for healthy hair.
- If home remedies cannot control it, or if the hair loss is severe, be sure to see a dermatologist.
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