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Preventing Breakage for Healthier Natural Hair
Natural hair requires specialized care to prevent dryness, tangling, and breakage. Understanding what causes damage can help you nurture stronger, more vibrant locks. This guide examines factors that contribute to breakage and tips to reduce it.
Lack of Moisture
Curly and coily textures need consistent moisture to stay supple and thrive. Infrequent conditioning, harsh shampoos, and failure to seal in hydration after washing can deplete strands of water. This leaves them brittle and prone to snapping when brushed or styled. Prevent breakage by regularly conditioning, using sulfate-free shampoos, and sealing damp hair with oils or butters.
Harsh Detangling
Aggressively raking through knots with combs or brushes is a common culprit. Trying to rip through tangled strands instead of patiently detangling small sections puts excessive tension on the hair. This can pull it out at the root or cause hairs to snap off mid-shaft. Prevent breakage by always thoroughly detangling curly hair in the shower with lots of slippery conditioner.
Heat Styling Damage
Frequent and excessive heat leaves natural hair dehydrated. The cumulative damage causes strands to weaken over time. Then, the fragile bonds easily snap and crack during basic maintenance. Those relying heavily on blow-drying, flat ironing, or curling must incorporate intensive conditioning and bonding treatments. Additionally, adjust heat settings to the minimum effective temperature for your hair type.
Improper Protective Styling
Braids, weaves, wigs and other protective looks get a bad rap due to improper installation and care. Styles that are too tight pull relentlessly at the follicles until hairs detach. Likewise, leaving extensions in too long without maintenance allows debris and matting at the roots. Prevent breakage by choosing reputable stylists, avoiding pain during installations, and promptly removing styles when growth needs a reset.
Environmental Damage
External factors like sun exposure, pollutants, and chlorinated water degrade the protein bonds that compose each strand. Without protective measures, this accelerated weathering causes tangible texture changes. As the damage accumulates, natural hair becomes increasingly fragile and prone to fracturing. Combat environmental damage by pre-pooing, protective styling, hydrating deep treatments, and limiting direct sunlight.
Nutritional Deficiencies
Just like skin and nails, our hair reflects our overall health. Crash diets, restrictive eating disorders, and even vegetarian lifestyles can deprive our bodies of essential vitamins and minerals that support follicular growth cycles. Combat depletion with supplements, a balanced diet, and foods high in bioavailable iron, vitamin D, zinc, folic acid, and protein. Prioritize consuming adequate macros and micros for stronger strands less prone to excessive shedding and breakage.
As you can see, hair breakage usually boils down to overexposure to physical, thermal, and chemical stressors. While avoiding every trigger may seem impossible, strategic protective measures make a big difference. Adjust damaging behaviors, compensate with intensive conditioning, and nourish hair holistically through diet and scalp care. With concerted effort toward retention-focused habits, your natural hair will keep growing ever stronger.