Persistent hair breakage might have deeper causes like hormonal imbalances and nutritional deficiencies that you may have to consider. In the meantime, you may also try the home remedies listed here to help prevent further hair breakage and loss. Continue reading to know more.
What Is Hair Breakage?
When the shafts of your hair break, resulting in split ends and shorter hair strands, it is known as hair breakage. Hair breakage usually occurs due to a dry scalp and damaged hair. Wondering what is causing your hair to break? Let us find out.
Why Is My Hair Breaking?
Your hair is breaking due to the following reasons:
Lack of moisture Washing your hair with hard water Heat styling and blow-drying your hair Hair coloring Using cotton pillows Tying your hair up in a towel post-shower
Nobody wants their hair to be brittle and damaged. Listed below are some of the best natural home remedies that can help you deal with hair breakage.
How To Stop Hair Breakage Naturally
Vitamins Coconut Oil Castor Oil Essential Oils Argan Oil Green Tea Egg Hair Mask Aloe Vera Garlic Apple Cider Vinegar Avocado Carrot Oil Grapeseed Oil Onion Juice Shea Butter
1. Vitamins
Vitamins C, D3, and biotin work exceptionally well in enhancing the health of your hair (1). It is important that the hair follicles receive proper blood supply and nutrition for your hair to be in good shape. Vitamin C plays a significant role in the production of collagen, which is the base for the formation of blood vessels. While vitamin D3 helps in the production of the component that makes up your hair, called keratin, biotin is essential for hair growth, and its deficiency was found to cause immense hair fall (2). You can include these vitamins in your daily diet by consuming citrus fruits, eggs, cheese, and leafy vegetables. You can also take additional supplements for these vitamins after consulting your doctor.
2. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer that helps prevent the loss of protein from the hair. The lauric acid in the oil imparts antifungal properties to it, which protects your hair from fungal infections like dandruff (3). These properties help in preventing hair breakage. You Will Need
1/2-1 tablespoon of coconut oil (depending on the length of your hair) Shower cap
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this at least once a week.
3. Castor Oil
The ricinoleic acid in castor oil helps in increasing blood circulation to your scalp. This, in turn, nourishes and strengthens your hair and prevents breakage (4). You Will Need
1 tablespoon of castor oil 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this 1 to 2 times a week.
4. Essential Oils
a. Sweet Almond Essential Oil
Sweet almond essential oil can help your hair regain its lost luster and thickness. It contains beneficial compounds like oleic acid and linoleic acid that help maintain the lipid metabolism balance, which can nourish the hair and protect it from further damage and breakage (5), (6). You Will Need
2-3 drops of almond essential oil 1/2-1 tablespoon of any carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this once a week.
b. Chamomile Essential Oil
Chamomile essential oil exhibits moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties (7), (8). These properties can help treat an inflamed scalp and dry and damaged hair. It is also anti fungal and can prevent scalp infections caused by fungi. You Will Need
3-4 drops of chamomile essential oil 1/2-1 tablespoon of any carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this 1 to 2 times a week.
5. Argan Oil
Argan oil is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and E and has antioxidant properties (9), (10), (11). It can help protect your hair from damage and breakage. It also contains linoleic acid and omega-6 fatty acids, the presence of which keeps your hair moisturized and healthy. You Will Need 4-5 drops of 100% argan oil What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Apply argan oil to your hair 1 to 2 times every week.
6. Green Tea
Green tea contains catechins that have antioxidant properties and stimulate hair growth (12), (13). It also possesses antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties (14). Hence, green tea can protect your scalp from infections and prevent thinning of hair. You Will Need
1/2 tablespoon of powdered green tea 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Use this hair mask at least once a week.
7. Egg Hair Mask
Egg whites are a rich source of proteins (15). They are used to keep the hair healthy, soft, and breakage-free. They exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (16). These activities can protect your hair and scalp from inflammation and damage. You Will Need
2 egg whites 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1 cup of milk A few drops of lemon juice
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this 2 to 3 times every month.
8. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel is quite popular for its skin and hair benefits. This is mainly due to its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, photoprotective, and antifungal properties (17), (18), (19). Aloe vera can help in keeping your scalp dandruff-free and prevent hair breakage and also restore the pH of your hair. You Will Need
1/2 tablespoon of aloe vera gel 1/2 tablespoon of almond oil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this 2 times a week.
9. Garlic
Your hair is mainly made up of keratin. Garlic is a rich source of sulfur, which acts as a building block of keratin. It also has antifungal and antioxidant properties (20), (21), (22). Thus, garlic can protect your scalp and hair from breakage and fungal infections. You Will Need
6-7 garlic cloves 100 mL of coconut or olive oil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Apply this oil at least once a week.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
A disturbed pH can cause your hair to become dry and damaged. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps to balance the pH of your scalp due to the presence of acetic acid in it. Acetic acid also helps in keeping your hair soft, thereby preventing breakage. Also, ACV is antimicrobial and antifungal (23), (24). These properties can help keep scalp infections at bay. You Will Need
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar 2 cups of water
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this once a week.
11. Avocado
The nourishing properties of avocado are due to the presence of vitamins and minerals. This fruit acts as a natural conditioner and prevents hair breakage and damage. Avocados are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids (25). They are quite important for having healthy and lustrous hair. You Will Need
1/2 avocado (peeled) 1 egg yolk 1 tablespoon of butter (optional)
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this at least twice a month.
12. Carrot Oil
Carrot oil is derived from the seeds of the carrot. This oil is a rich source of vitamins A and E and beta-carotene that are essential for healthy hair. It is also antibacterial and antifungal and has healing properties (26). All these factors can help you deal with a dry scalp and breakage-prone hair. You Will Need
6-7 drops of carrot oil Carrier oil like olive or coconut oil (optional)
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this at least once a week.
13. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is one of the best ways to keep your hair moisturized without weighing it down. This is because it is much lighter than most oils out there. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin E (27), (28). Thus, it can help in making your hair strong and preventing breakage. You Will Need 2-3 teaspoons of grapeseed oil What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Try this treatment once a week.
14. Onion Juice
Onions are rich sources of sulfur, which is a building block of keratin. Hence, onions not only help prevent hair fall and breakage but also make your hair stronger and healthier. Onions have antifungal properties and can prevent hair fall (29), (30). You Will Need
1/2 tablespoon of onion juice 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This Do this at least once a week.
15. Shea Butter
Shea butter can be used as a natural alternative to your conditioner. Its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties ensure a healthy scalp and hair (31). The highly moisturizing properties of shea butter protect your hair from breakage and further damage. You Will Need 1 teaspoon of shea butter What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can use shea butter whenever your hair feels too dry and messy. Use these remedies to help stop hair breakage. Here are a few tips you can follow to prevent this problem altogether.
Preventive Tips
Trim your hair regularly. Avoid blow-drying and ironing your hair every day. Do not comb your hair when it is wet. Do not change your hair color often, or look for a natural alternative if you plan to do so. Massage your hair and scalp with a good oil every now and then. Use a hydrating conditioner to keep your hair well moisturized. Do not wash your hair daily as it may damage it and make it dry. Follow a healthy diet that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meat, and lots of fluids.
Consult your healthcare provider if symptoms do not improve with changes in grooming and other home-care measures. Meanwhile, these simple treatments or changes can help reduce breakage.
Treatment For Hair Breakage
Use ammonium bi-sulfate cream relaxers, which are the least damaging to hair. Use conditioning shampoos and moisturizing conditioners with ingredients that will protect the hair. Such moisture-binding ingredients include sodium PCA, glycerine, panthenol, chitosan, dimethicone, and/or silicone.
What medical conditions can cause hair breakage? If you have lupus, the chances of your hair turning brittle and breaking are quite high. Those who have cancer, thyroid problems, and pituitary gland diseases are also more likely to experience hair damage and hair fall. What is the best hair mask to stop breakage? Although all the remedies in this article can give you effective results, the egg mask is the best. You can also try the avocado hair mask for stronger and healthier hair. Are lemons good or not for stopping hair breakage? Lemons, when used undiluted, are extremely acidic and can strip your hair of its natural oils. This may lead to dry, brittle, and breakage-prone hair. Hence, too much of lemons is not good for your hair. Can damaged hair grow back? Yes, damaged hair can grow back as hair grows from the roots and not the ends. So, as long as the follicles are preserved, hair can grow back. How long does it take to fix breakage hair? Generally, it takes 6 months to a year to see improvements in your hair condition. In fact, using products that nourish your scalp and hair can accelerate this process. What foods stop hair breakage? Eggs, Brazil nuts, beans, bell peppers, and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach are rich in protein, vitamins, and iron, and can help you fight hair breakage. Does drinking water help with hair growth? Yes. In fact, 25% of a single hair strand is made up of water. So drinking enough water helps energize and support hair growth and improves hair texture. Water intake also helps prevent split ends.
