Handling hair breakage

Good hair needs a lot of care in handling. Hair problems are symptoms of other body disorders. A trichologist is best equipped to help prevent damage to hair. Shiny hair is a sign of health because it shows that the hair root and its cuticles are healthy. When the scales of the cuticle lie flat, they overlap tightly, so the inner layers are well protected from heat, sun and chlorine. When hair is damaged, the scales may separate and hair can become dry. Because the scales on dry hair don’t protect the inner two layers as well, hair can break and look dull. Sebum, which is the natural oil on the hair, covers straight hair better than curly hair, which is why straight hair can appear shinier. Hair breakage Hair can break when points in the hair thicken or weaken. Sometimes this happens near the scalp so a person’s hair never grows very long. When hair breaks at its ends, they’re called ‘split ends’, and the splits can travel up the hair shaft. A major cause of hair breakage is improper use of chemical hair treatments, like colouring, perming and tinting. But, brushing or combing hair too frequently or in the wrong way (such as using a fine-toothed comb on very thick, curly hair or teasing hair) can lead to breakage. Hair extensions and braids can also cause breakage. Dry and brittle hair are signs of a medical problem, such as hypothyroidism or an eating disorder. If your hair is breaking even though you don’t excessively use chemicals or other styling products, see a Trichologist. Trichorrhexis Nodosa is the most common defect of the hair shaft where the hair breaks and falls. It’s caused by mechanical or chemical trauma and is classified as the fracture of the hair shaft. We need to do a tricho-analysis of the hair, to check the hair-fracture and to treat it. Hair damage In the hair business, ‘damage’ means that the cuticle or outer covering of the hair shaft has become rough, cracked and chipped. There is a long list of things that can damage hair, which ranges from too much washing, combing and brushing to chemically treating hair. Even swimming in saltwater can damage your hair roots if you are not careful. You should know that you hair is damaged if it’s dry, frizzy, breaking and falling excessively. Common causes of hair damage are: Chemicals: Bleach, permanent colours, perms, and straighteners leave the scales of the cuticle rough and prone to chipping. It also breaks the protein bonds in the hair, which weakens its structure. Physical wear: Friction is responsible for hair damage too. Roughly brushing hair can spoil it. Salt left on the hair after swimming or working out, and even pillowcovers, causes friction. Other physical damage can result from abrasion from rubber bands, barettes and tight ponytails. Just washed hair is especially susceptible to mechanical damage. Heat: Too-hot blow dryers, hot rollers, curlers and straighteners can crack the cuticles and evaporate the moisture from your hair. Weather : Ultraviolet rays damage hair. Regular exposure to sun can make the hair rough and delicate while, exposure to wind can damage its cuticles. Other causes of hair damage are: Not oiling and conditioning your hair regularly. Not having your split ends trimmed before they run up each hair shaft. Sleeping in tight rollers. Pulling braids too tightly from the scalp. Some medications and illnesses. Its cure... Figure out the cause of the problem. If a perm or a touch-up was the cause, discontinue all chemical treatments. Chemicals can rob the sebum from one’s hair and make it look dull and damaged. Condition your hair by oiling it at least twice a week. Handle your hair with care and avoid unnecessary medication. The faster you get qualified help, the faster your problem will be solved. Get your tricho check done immediately.