Breakage Blog: Hair Loss or Breakage?

Hair Loss or Hair Breakage: What's the Difference and How to Protect Your Hair.

Hair loss and hair breakage might seem interchangeable, but they're very different issues. While hair loss is the shedding of the entire hair strand from the scalp, hair breakage happens when the strand weakens and snaps off somewhere along its length. 

Is it Hair Loss?

Hair loss can be caused by various factors, including genetics, hormonal imbalances, inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, stress, medications, and more. If you're unsure whether you're experiencing hair loss or breakage, take a close look at the strands. Hair shedding often has a small bulb at the root, indicating it fell from the follicle—this is normal, as losing up to 100 hairs a day is typical and usually not a cause for concern. However, if you notice split ends or small weak spots along the hair shaft, you're likely dealing with breakage instead. If you feel like you are loosing more than the 100 hairs a day explore our blog section for different types of hair loss, or reach out for a qualified diagnosis using the form at the bottom of the page, we can determine through analysis if your shedding is within normal range, from the telogen phase or anagen phase.

If you've determined its breakage, keep reading this blog to learn more about prevention and repair.

Focus on Hair Breakage

Breakage occurs when the structure of the hair strand weakens, often due to stressors that can lead from internal and external damage. Here are the main culprits:

1. Weak Points in the Hair Shaft - Hair strands can have natural weak points where they’re more susceptible to breakage. This can stem from dehydration, nutritional deficiency, medications, poor elasticity, or structural imbalances in the protein and moisture levels within the hair.

2. Chemical Damage - Chemical treatments like bleaching, perming, and dyeing can strip the hair of its natural oils, weakening the cuticle and making hair more prone to breakage.

3. Environmental Wear - Sun exposure, wind, pollution, and humidity can wear down the hair cuticle, causing dryness and breakage. UV rays, in particular, can break down the protein structure of hair, making it brittle.

4. Mechanical Tension - Wearing tight hairstyles (like ponytails or braids) frequently causes stress at specific points on the hair, leading to breakage, especially around the hairline or delicate fine hairs.

5. Hair Grooming - Over brushing, brushing hair when wet the or using hair tools that put stress on the hair can decrease elasticity leading to breakage.                                           
6. Heat Styling - Heat tools like flat irons and blow dryers can weaken the protein bonds in hair, leading to split ends and breakage over time, especially when used without heat protection.

Protecting and Repairing Hair from Breakage

To repair and strengthen hair, focus on these protective measures and repair tips:

• Nourish from Within
  Ensure your diet is rich in hair-friendly nutrients:

  • Protein: Essential for building hair structure.
  • Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Helps to keep the scalp healthy.
  • Antioxidants: Protect hair from environmental damage.
  • Hydration: Helps with hairs elasticity and moisture levels.

If you want a more comprehensive guide to a well balanced diet, check out our blog healthy hair from within.

• Ingredients to Look For
  Look for products with reparative and protective ingredients to support hair strength:

  • Reinforcement: Repairs damaged hair bonds.
  • Heat Halo: Protects and smooths the hair shaft and seals fragile ends.
  • Pre-treat: Repairs and protects from chemical, environmental and heat damage. 
  • Tangled Toner: Enhances moisture retention, contracts cuticle and evens out porosity.

• Protection Techniques

  • Limit Chemical Treatments: Space out treatments to give your hair time to recover. Reduce bleach and don't over lap on previous colour work.
  • Use Heat Protection: Always apply a heat-protective product before using styling tools.
  • Minimize Tension Styles: Wear loose hairstyles, especially when sleeping. Use claw clips instead of tight ponytails when hair is up.
  • Hydrate and Condition: Use hydrating masks and deep conditioners to keep hair moisturized and prevent brittleness.

Recommended Products

For effective hair repair, protection, and nourishment, check out our curated bundles on Halo Haircare. Our selection includes nourishing oils, protein-rich masks, and daily hair strengtheners designed to keep your hair resilient and healthy.