In this article, we look at 10 common causes of hair breakage and ways to treat and prevent future breakage and hair damage.

In most cases, hair breakage is temporary, and people can repair their hair and restore its strength by using products and home remedies.

People can experience hair breakage that affects all types of hair from straight to curly. It can make hair look frizzy or coarse either at the ends or near the top, or crown, of the head.

Hair breakage can happen for a variety of reasons, including specific hair products, diet, and stress. Home remedies can help.

The following section explores the common causes of hair breakage:

1. Hair products and styling

Share on Pinterest Common causes of hair breakage can include styling and over-brushing.

Products that people use for coloring, perming, or relaxing the hair contain chemicals that can weaken the hair and make it more likely to break.

Even some shampoos can cause the hair to break, become brittle, or turn frizzy.

A 2014 study reported that the acidity, or pH, of a shampoo may affect hair breakage. Certain shampoos are alkaline, or basic, which can cause a negative charge on the hair. This creates more friction between hair strands and can lead to hair breakage.

Avoiding the application of harsh chemicals to the hair and choosing a shampoo with a neutral pH can improve hair health.

2. Over-brushing

Brushing the hair too much can also cause breakage.

People may not need to brush their hair as much as they think. The American Academy of Dermatology advise only brushing hair as much as people need to style it. Notably, the idea that people should brush their hair with 100 brushstrokes is a myth.

3. Heat and lack of moisture

Frequently using heat on the hair can damage the hair shafts and remove the moisture from the hair, which can cause brittle hair and hair breakage.

Over time, the following heat treatments can damage the hair:

blow-dryers

straighteners

curling tongs

Hot weather and humid climates can also dry the hair out and increase the risk of breakage.

People can often avoid and prevent future hair breakage by reducing heat treatments.

4. Towel drying

Rubbing wet hair with a towel can damage the hair, increase frizz, and cause breakage. Wet hair breaks more easily than dry hair.

Instead of rubbing the hair, try wrapping a towel around it to absorb the moisture, or letting it dry naturally in the air.

5. Not having regular haircuts

A lack of regular haircuts can result in split ends. These broken ends make the hair more likely to break higher up, nearer the hair shaft.

Getting regular haircuts, even when an individual is growing out their hair, can help to keep hair healthy and strong.

A hairdresser will also be able to give advice for maintaining healthy hair and addressing any current issues people may be experiencing.

6. Diet

Share on Pinterest Brazil nuts contain selenium.

Nutrition plays an integral part in promoting healthy hair. If people are deficient in certain nutrients, they may have weakened hair that appears dry, dull, or brittle. Severe nutrient deficiencies may also lead to hair loss.

Eggs and fish contain biotin, which is essential for healthy hair growth, and Brazil nuts offer hair-boosting selenium. Learn about foods for healthy hair growth here.

It is essential that people get a balanced diet that contains plenty of the following:

omega-3 fatty acids

protein

vitamin D

iron

zinc

Once people resolve any nutritional deficiencies, they will likely find their hair becomes stronger and healthier again.

7. Tight hairstyles

If people are tying their hair back frequently in tight hairstyles, or using elastic bands to tie their hair up, this can lead to hair breakage. Tight hairstyles can stretch or break the hair away from the root.

If people regularly wear their hair in tight styles such as buns, cornrows, or braids, it may lead to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. Although this is a temporary hair loss that the hair can recover from, it can become permanent if it keeps happening.

Elastic ties can also pull tightly on the hair and increase the risk of breakage. People can switch to covered hair ties and wear their hair in a variety of loose styles to relieve pressure on the hair.

8. Stress

Extreme stress can cause damage to the hair and a condition called telogen effluvium.

A severe shock or stress can cause the hair roots to reach the resting stage of their growth cycle before they are meant to and the hair comes loose from the scalp.

Once stress has passed, people will usually find the hair regrows. If people notice unusual amounts of hair shedding, they should see their doctor to check for the underlying cause.

9. Thyroid disorders

Thyroid disorders can cause hair breakage. If people have a thyroid disorder, they may notice very brittle, dry, and dull hair. Hair can also become thinner, or people may notice excessive shedding or bald patches.

People with a thyroid disorder may also notice changes to their skin and nails, including the following:

nails crumble or break easily

wounds heal more slowly than usual

deep lines on the palms and soles of the feet

itchy skin

If people notice any of these symptoms, along with fatigue, they should see their doctor to check if they have a thyroid disorder.

10. Eating disorders

Eating disorders can cause breakage to the hair and can lead to hair loss.

The malnutrition and health issues that come from eating disorders can disrupt the natural cycle of hair growth. This disruption can cause hair to break off during the growth phase of the hair cycle, which is called the anagen.