6 Ways To Help Prevent Hair Breakage

Few things are universal, but we’d argue that the desire for healthy (and healthy-looking) hair comes pretty close. Unfortunately, in the pursuit of soft, shiny strands, many of us do things that can have the opposite effect. While the occasional dye job or foray into heat styling is unlikely to wreak too much havoc, making these habits a part of your regular routine can result in damage and, ultimately, hair breakage. 

While some hair types are naturally more fragile than others, taking proper care of your hair can help keep breakage to a minimum. Here, we’re sharing six things you can do to help keep your strands strong and resilient — even if you’re not ready to break up with your flat iron for good. 

1. Avoid Bleaching Your Hair 

Even when done by a professional, bleaching your hair (which is needed for any lightening process) is damaging. Bleach contains chemicals that both open your hair’s cuticle and break down the bonds inside your hair. If done improperly — or too often — the process can leave your hair weak, fragile, and susceptible to breakage. It can even disrupt your natural curl pattern, according to expert hair colorist Sarah Louise Keane. 

The only way to prevent bleach damage is to avoid lightening your hair altogether. But if you really want to experiment with a lighter hue such as blonde highlights, be sure to visit an experienced stylist rather than taking the DIY route — it’s just too easy to overprocess your hair at home. Post-bleaching, you can also add a bond-strengthening treatment, such as K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, to your weekly routine. The leave-in treatment helps repair the structure of damaged hair, leaving it softer, smoother, and less likely to break.

2. Limit Use of Hot Tools

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), heat can damage the hair’s outer cuticle and interfere with its ability to retain moisture. An occasional blow-dry isn’t that big of a deal, but if you use heat on your hair every day, you run the risk of damaging your strands beyond repair. Opting for heatless hairstyles is an easy work-around, but if you can’t part with your blow-dryer, be sure to put it on the lowest heat setting to help prevent damage. It’s also a good idea to prep your strands with a heat protectant before using any hot tools. We love Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Leave-In Conditioner Primer, which protects against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and helps to hydrate dry strands.

3. Skip the Tight Hairstyles

We love a slicked-back bun as much as the next person, but if breakage is a concern, it’s best to save this sleek hairstyle for special occasions. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, tight hairstyles can cause hair to break or even (in some cases) fall out entirely. If you want your hair off of your face, consider clipping it back with a claw clip or loosely tying it up with a silk hair tie.

4. Switch to a Silk Pillowcase 

Friction (like the kind that occurs when you’re tossing and turning all night) can damage your hair’s outer cuticle, making it more porous. As your hair becomes more porous, it also becomes less elastic — and, therefore, more likely to snap off. To help prevent breakage, consider swapping to a silk pillowcase. Silk is far slipperier and much more gentle on your strands than standard cotton or linen pillowcases. And while silk pillowcases can be pricey, they tend to last a long time. You can also find more affordable satin options; we’re fond of the Kitsch Satin Pillowcase, which you can snag for under $20. 

5. Take Care When Brushing Wet Hair

According to trichologist Dorian Marie White, hair is most fragile when it’s wet — that’s a big part of why pros discourage sleeping with wet strands. Brushing your hair when it’s wet can cause your strands to stretch and snap — and once your hair is broken, there’s nothing you can do except wait for it to grow. That being said, it’s OK to detangle your hair when it's wet; you’ll just want to take the proper precautions to avoid excessive damage. White recommends using a leave-in detangler (we love the Unite 7 Seconds Detangler) and opting for a Wet Brush or wide-toothed comb rather than a traditional hairbrush. Start at the ends and work your way up to avoid creating larger, more troublesome knots. 

6. Get Regular Trims 

If left unchecked, split ends can “travel” up the hair shaft, leaving your strands frizzy, weak, and prone to widespread breakage. Typically, stylists recommend visiting the salon every six to eight weeks for a trim. You can stretch it out a little bit if your hair grows slowly (or looks to be in great shape), but generally, every two months is ideal for most hair types.