Hair breakage 101: What causes it and what you can do

Most of us have experienced hair breakage at some point. Dullness, frizz, split ends and unmanageability are all telltale signs your hair isn’t feeling its best and is likely suffering from breakage. So, why is your hair breaking – and what can you do to get your healthiest, strongest and most manageable hair?

What causes hair breakage?

Hair breakage is usually caused by a lack of moisture and depleted nutrients in hair strands. If your hair is too dry and not well-nourished with the proteins and vitamins it needs, it’s unable to deal with environmental and styling stressors, and will start to break.

Heat and chemical treatments along with using excessive heat during styling also weaken your hair, stripping it of its natural protection.

Thin and fine hair breakage

While thin hair is the most prone to breakage (about 10 times more, in fact), it can happen to any hair type.

Fine hair is a bit more vulnerable as it has a smaller inner core and thin cuticle layer, containing about 50% less protein than thick hair. In short, if your hair is fine or thin, it will need even more TLC.

Is my hair breaking or thinning?

There’s a difference between hair breakage and hair thinning or shedding. If you’re not sure which you have, take a look at a strand of hair that’s come out. Do you see a little white ‘bulb’ at one end? That’s the root. A hair with a root attached indicates shedding, whereas if there’s no visible root attached, chances are you’re dealing with breakage.

How to fix hair damage and breakage

Keeping on top of your hair’s health is key to fixing hair damage and breakage. Make sure you go for regular trims (at least every 12 weeks or so, depending on hair type) to stop split ends in their tracks so they can’t cause any further damage.

To repair your hair and nurse it back to health, the products you use in the shower are crucial. The new NEXXUS Unbreakable Care Anti-Breakage Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner are packed with the proteins your hair needs to thrive. The exclusive PROTEINFUSION blend contains collagen, biotin, spirulina, and keratin, all of which are rich in arginine, one of the most powerful strengthening proteins naturally found in your hair. It works to reduce up to 97% of hair loss from breakage*, resulting in stronger, fuller and thicker-looking hair.

How to prevent hair breakage

As well as using the right products in the shower, there are a few other ways to keep your hair happy and healthy.

Try wearing your hair loose and avoiding tight hairstyles. When you do put your hair up, choose anti-snag hair ties, a claw clip, or a scrunchie.

Sleeping on a silk pillowcase is also a smart way to prevent hair breakage. Standard cotton pillowcases create friction as your hair rubs against them at night, causing damage. Silky fabrics create far less friction and, therefore, less damage.

Choose the right brush for your hair type. Use a wide-toothed comb in the shower to detangle your locks while your conditioner is soaking in. Rather than rubbing your hair dry with a towel, gently scrunch with a microfiber towel to reduce friction and damage.

Here’s a tip for regular heat styling: a good heat protector spray is your best friend. NEXXUS Unbreakable Care Root Lift Thickening Spray protects from heat while adding volume, strength and thickness, creating hair that is easy to style but hard to break. You could also try the

NEXXUS Prep & Protect Leave-in Spray which is enriched with PROTEINLOCK formula, containing elastin protein and hyaluronic acid. It’s designed to defend hair’s natural protein from harm, wrapping hair fibers in a protective lipid layer to prevent damage. And try blow-drying on a lower heat to minimize hair damage. Your hair will thank you.

*vs non-conditioning shampoo