Are you tired of your hair breaking off? Do you feel like you’re doing everything right, but your hair won’t grow longer? Relaxed hair can be tricky to manage, but with the right tips and tricks, you can prevent breakage and keep your locks healthy and strong! This article will discuss 15 ways to avoid breakage on relaxed hair. We’ll cover everything from how to choose the right products to how to style your hair in a way that minimizes damage. Follow these tips, and you’ll be on your way to healthy, beautiful hair!
What is Hair Breakage?
Before we get into the tips, let’s first define hair breakage.
Hair breakage is when the hair shaft’s cortex, or inner layer, becomes damaged.
This damage can happen for various reasons, including over-processing, excessive heat use, and improper styling techniques.
When the cortex is damaged, it causes the hair to become weak and break easily.
A weak cortex can lead to split ends, frizz, and overall unhealthy-looking hair.
Hair Breakage vs. Shedding
It’s important to note that hair breakage is different from hair shedding.
Shedding is when the hair falls out at the root, while breakage occurs when the hair shaft snaps in half. With shedding, you’ll see a visible root attached to the hair, but with breakage, you’ll see a jagged edge where the hair has snapped.
Shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle; everyone sheds a few hairs daily. However, excessive shedding can signify an underlying health condition or something wrong with your hair care routine. If you’re noticing an abnormal amount of hair shedding, consult a dermatologist or trichologist to rule out any underlying health issues.
Hair breakage, on the other hand, is not a normal part of the hair growth cycle. It will usually occur when there has been damage to the hair shaft. If you’re experiencing breakage, it’s essential to take action to correct the problem.
What are the Causes of Breakage on Relaxed Hair?
Now that we’ve defined hair breakage and explained the difference between breakage and shedding, let’s discuss some common causes of breakage on relaxed hair.
Over-processing
One of the most common causes of breakage on relaxed hair is over-processing.
When you leave relaxers on the hair for too long, they can cause severe damage to the cortex.
Over-processing can leave the hair dry, brittle, and susceptible to breakage.
Abusing heat tools
Another common cause of breakage is heat damage.
Frequent use of hot tools, such as curling irons and blow dryers, can strip the hair of its natural moisture and oils.
This loss of moisture and oils can make the hair dry, frizzy, and more likely to break.
Over manipulation
Excessive and improper styling techniques can also lead to breakage.
For example, tugging and pulling on the hair can put unnecessary stress on the strands and cause them to break.
Additionally, harsh brushing techniques or scrubbing the scalp too vigorously can damage the hair and lead to breakage.
Poor Diet
A poor diet can also contribute to breakage.
Keratin makes up most of your hair’s structure. It is a protein that needs certain nutrients, such as iron, to stay strong and healthy.
If you’re not getting enough of these nutrients in your diet, it can lead to weak, breakable hair.
Why is Breakage on Relaxed Hair Common?
Hair breakage is a common issue for women with relaxed hair because the chemical process of relaxing the hair can be damaging.
Relaxers contain chemicals that break down the protein bonds in the hair shaft, making the hair weaker and more susceptible to breakage.
In addition, over-processing can cause even more damage to the hair shaft and lead to breakage.
If you have relaxed hair, it’s essential to take extra care to prevent breakage. But don’t worry – you can do plenty of things to keep your hair healthy!
15 Ways to Prevent Breakage on Relaxed Hair
Now that we’ve covered hair breakage, how it differs from shedding, and its causes, let’s move on to the tips!
Here are 15 tips to help you prevent breakage on relaxed hair:
#1: Use a Gentle Shampoo
One of the best ways to prevent breakage is to use a gentle shampoo.
Avoid shampoos with harsh sulphates, which can strip the hair of its natural oils and moisture.
Instead, look for a shampoo that’s sulphate-free and designed for relaxed hair.
Limit clarifying shampoos to once a month or when necessary, as these can be drying to the hair.
Clarifying shampoos contain potent ingredients that remove build-up from the hair, but they can also strip away natural oils.
#2: Deep Condition Regularly
Another critical step in preventing breakage is to deep condition your hair regularly.
Relaxed hair is often dry and brittle, so it needs extra hydration to stay healthy.
Use a deep conditioner at least once a week. Deep conditioners are more hydrating than regular conditioners and can help repair damage and prevent breakage.
Also, consider adding a leave-in conditioner to your daily hair care routine. Leave-in conditioners can help keep the hair hydrated (thus, preventing breakage) between wash days.
#3: Avoid Over-Processing
As we mentioned earlier, over-processing is one of the leading causes of breakage in relaxed hair.
Ensure you’re not leaving your relaxer on for too long to prevent breakage on your relaxed hair.
Follow the instructions on the package, and don’t leave the relaxer in longer than recommended.
Further, only relax your hair when necessary. If your hair is already straight, there’s no need to relax it again. Relaxing too often can lead to breakage, so only do it when necessary.
#4: Be Careful When Styling
When styling your hair, avoid pulling or tugging on the strands. Aggressive styling can put unnecessary stress on the hair and lead to breakage.
In addition, avoid using harsh brushing techniques. Instead, opt for a wide-tooth comb or paddle brush to detangle your hair. When brushing, start from the bottom and work your way up to avoid breakage.
Further, consider wearing protective styles from time to time. Protective styles take the hair away from daily manipulation, giving it a break from styling and reducing the risk of breakage.
Some common protective styles include braids, twists, updos, and wigs.
#5: Protect Your Hair From Heat
Heat damage is one of the leading causes of breakage, so it’s essential to protect your hair from heat whenever possible.
It is best to avoid heat styling altogether, but if you must use heat, be sure to use a heat protectant beforehand.
Try to air-dry your hair as often as possible and avoid using high heat settings on your tools (blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron, etc.).
In addition, avoid using hot water when shampooing and conditioning your hair.
Hot showers may feel good but can be bad for your hair. The hot water can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle.
Instead, use lukewarm water or cool water whenever possible.
#6: Don’t Sleep with Wet Hair
Sleeping with wet hair can cause breakage, so it’s essential to dry your hair before hitting the pillow.
Hair is weak when wet, so it’s more susceptible to breakage.
To prevent breakage, ensure your hair is completely dry before bed.
If you don’t have time to let your hair air dry, use a low heat setting on your blow dryer. Then, braid your hair or put it in a loose bun to prevent breakage while sleeping.
#7: Get Protein Treatments
Protein treatments are essential for preventing breakage in relaxed hair.
They help strengthen the hair and repair damage, making it less likely to break.
The proteins bind to the hair shaft and fill in gaps caused by damage to the strands. As a result, it makes the hair stronger and less likely to break in the future.
You can get protein treatments at a salon, or you can do them at home with a protein-rich deep conditioner.
However, when you get these treatments too frequently, it can lead to protein overload.
Protein overload can make the hair brittle and dry, causing it to break.
As a result, it’s important to use protein treatments sparingly and only when necessary.
Protein treatments are most effective when used once every four to six weeks.
#8: Limit Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments, such as colouring or bleaching, can also lead to breakage.
Since relaxing hair is already a harsh process, additional chemical treatments will only weaken the hair further.
If you must colour your hair, use a protein treatment beforehand to help strengthen the strands.
Try semi-permanent dyes as they are less damaging than permanent dyes.
And be sure to use a deep conditioner afterwards to help hydrate and repair the hair.
#9: Don’t Overdo It with Products
Using products designed for relaxed hair is essential, but don’t go overboard.
Using too many products can weigh down the hair and lead to breakage.
Start with a small amount of product, and only use what you need. You can always add more if necessary.
#10: Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Tight hairstyles, such as ponytails, buns, and cornrows, can put unnecessary stress on the hair and lead to breakage.
If you must wear your hair up, wear a soft satin or silk tie and avoid pulling the hair too tight.
Also, be sure to give your hair a break in between styles to allow the strands to recover.
#11: Get Regular Trims
Getting regular trims is an integral part of preventing breakage. When you get a trim, you remove the damaged ends, leaving your hair looking healthier.
Trimming removes split ends, which can travel up the hair shaft and break the hair.
As a result, regular trims help prevent breakage and keep your hair looking its best.
Aim to get a trim every three to six months to prevent breakage and keep your hair looking its best.
Depending on your hair styling routine, you may need to get a trim more or less often.
#12: Protect your hair at night
At night, wrap your hair in a silk scarf or sleep on a silk/satin pillowcase.
Silk or satin fabrics create a smooth surface that helps prevent friction and, thus, reduce breakage.
In contrast, cotton fabrics can be harsh on the hair and lead to breakage.
Further, silk or satin are less absorbent than cotton, meaning they won’t strip the hair of its natural oils.
As a result, your hair will be less dry and more moisturized in the morning.
#13: Eat a Healthy Diet
Eating a healthy diet is vital for overall health but can also help prevent breakage.
Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean protein, can help strengthen the hair and prevent breakage.
Eat a healthy diet. Include plenty of protein, iron, and other nutrients in your diet. Maintaining a healthy diet will help keep your hair strong and healthy.
So be sure to include these foods in your diet to keep your hair healthy and strong.
#14: Drink Plenty of Water
In addition to eating a healthy diet, be sure to drink plenty of water.
Water helps hydrate the hair and skin to keep them looking their best.
When the hair is adequately hydrated, it is less likely to break.
So be sure to drink plenty of it daily for healthy, strong hair. The recommended daily water intake is eight glasses per day.
#15: See A Professional
If you’re struggling to prevent breakage, it may be time to see a professional.
A professional stylist can help you find the right products and give you tips for preventing breakage.
So if you’re having trouble growing your hair or keeping it healthy, make an appointment with a stylist today.
A trichologist is a specialist who deals with hair and scalp health.
If you’re experiencing excessive breakage, it may be worth seeing a trichologist to get to the root of the problem.
They can perform tests to determine an underlying cause for the breakage and provide treatments accordingly.
Bonus Tip: Be Patient
Growing long, healthy hair takes time.
The average person’s hair grows about six inches annually (half an inch per month).
So if you’re patient and follow these tips, you’ll be on your way to long, healthy hair in no time.
FAQs on Breakage on Relaxed Hair
Q: Why is my relaxed hair so thin?
A: There are several reasons why your relaxed hair may be thinning.
It could be due to breakage, genetics, or a medical condition.
If you’re concerned about thinning hair, see a doctor or dermatologist to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Q: What is the best shampoo for breakage on relaxed hair?
A: The best shampoo for breakage on relaxed hair is gentle and hydrating.
Look for shampoos with ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, or jojoba oil.
Avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals or sulphates, as these can strip the hair and lead to breakage.
Q: What is the difference between shedding and breakage on relaxed hair?
A: Shedding is when hair falls out at the root. It is a natural process that happens to everyone.
On the other hand, breakage is when the hair breaks off near the root or mid-shaft.
Several factors can cause breakage on relaxed hair, including over-processing, heat damage, and high manipulation.
Q: How can I tell if breakage on my relaxed hair is due to heat damage?
A: If your breakage is due to heat damage, you may notice that your hair is dry, brittle, or has split ends.
Q: Why is my relaxed hair breaking off so much?
A: There are several reasons your relaxed hair may break off.
It could be due to over-processing, heat damage, high manipulation, or a lack of moisture.
Bottom Line
Breakage on relaxed hair can be a big problem. But with these tips, you can help prevent it.
Be sure to eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, and see a professional if you’re having trouble keeping your hair healthy.
And most importantly, be patient! Growing long, healthy hair takes time.
But if you follow these tips, you’ll be on your way to beautiful, healthy hair in no time.