Our hair is one of the most important aspects of our appearance. Beautiful and healthy hair boosts the overall look and makes us feel confident.
But sometimes, even with our best efforts, our hair gets damaged and we are left wondering why it is happening. In this article, we will go over 30 reasons why your hair may be getting destroyed, and most importantly, how to fix it.
Reason 1: Heat Damage
Using hot styling tools on a regular basis can cause significant damage to your hair. The high heat weakens the hair, makes it fragile and causes breakage.
Try limiting the use of hot styling tools to once a week and choose a heat protectant spray before using any heat styling tools. You can also style your hair without heat by using overnight curls or braids.
Reason 2: Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments like hair dye, perming, and straightening can cause a lot of damage to your hair. The chemicals in these products weaken the hair shaft making it susceptible to breakage and split ends.
Always follow the instructions on the product carefully to minimize harm. Your hair will thank you.
Reason 3: Over-washing
Washing your hair too much can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Avoid washing your hair every day and opt for a dry shampoo when necessary.
Try to limit the usage of clarifying shampoos to once or twice a month to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils.
Reason 4: Tight Hairstyles
Pulling and tying your hair too tightly into ponytails, buns, and braids can cause traction alopecia – a condition where the hair falls out due to tension. Give your hair a break from tight hairstyles and opt for looser styles instead.
Reason 5: Poor Diet
Your hair needs a balanced and healthy diet to grow and stay healthy. A diet that is lacking in essential nutrients like protein, iron, and zinc can cause hair loss and thinning.
Make sure you consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins to keep your hair healthy.
Reason 6: Lack of Sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for healthy hair growth. Lack of sleep causes stress and hormonal imbalances that can lead to hair loss. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep every night to maintain healthy hair.
Reason 7: Sun Damage
Exposure to the sun can cause significant damage to your hair. The UV rays can cause the hair to become dry, brittle and prone to split ends. Protect your hair from the sun by wearing a hat or using a hair care product with SPF.
Reason 8: Hard Water
Hard water contains minerals that can build up on the hair, leading to dryness and hair loss. Consider installing a water softener or filtering your shower water to reduce the mineral content in the water.
Reason 9: Medical Conditions
Several medical conditions like thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and lupus can cause hair loss and thinning. If you suspect you have a medical condition, seek medical attention immediately to treat the underlying issue.
Reason 10: Medications
Some medications can cause hair loss as a side effect. If you are taking any medication and experiencing hair loss, speak to your physician to determine if there is an alternative drug that won’t harm your hair.
Reason 11: Genetics
Hair loss and thinning can also be caused by genetics. If your parents or grandparents have thinning hair or baldness, it’s likely that you may experience some form of hair loss as well.
Nonetheless, there are things you can do to keep your hair healthy, regardless of your genetic predisposition.
Reason 12: Hormonal Changes
Major hormonal changes like pregnancy, menopause and even stress can cause hair loss. Hormonal changes in the body can shift the hair growth cycle, leading to hair loss and thinning.
Speak to a specialist if you are experiencing hair loss due to hormonal changes.
Reason 13: Lack of Moisture
Dryness is a leading cause of hair damage, resulting in breakage, dullness, and split ends. Make sure to keep your hair moisturized by using conditioners, oils, and regular deep conditioning treatments. It will keep your hair healthy and hydrated.
Reason 14: Using the Wrong Hair Care Products
Using the wrong hair care products can do more harm than good. Heavy, greasy products or those with high alcohol content can strip hair of its natural oils and lead to dryness and breakage.
Always use products that are specifically designed for your hair type. If in doubt, consult with your stylist.
Reason 15: Poor Hairbrushing Habits
Poor brushing habits can lead to hair damage, breakage, and split ends. Brush your hair gently and avoid rough combing or brushing when it’s wet, or it’s more vulnerable to breakage.
Reason 16: Pollution and Environmental Factors
Pollution and environmental factors like dust, smoke, and UV exposure can cause significant damage to your hair. Protect your hair by wearing a hat, scarf or using a protective hair spray that prevents environmental damage to your hair.
Reason 17: Hormonal Imbalance
An imbalance of hormones in your body can lead to hair loss and thinning. If you suspect a hormonal imbalance, get medical advice immediately and avoid taking hormone supplements unless prescribed by a specialist.
Smoking: Reason 18
Smoking affects your hair in several ways, making it brittle and causing hair loss. The nicotine in cigarettes affects blood circulation, reducing the amount of oxygen and nutrients that reach your hair follicles.
Quitting smoking might help your hair health and your overall body health, too.
Reason 19: Too Much Swimming
Excessive swimming can cause significant damage to your hair because of the chemicals and salt that are present in the water. Always wear a swimming cap, use a clarifying shampoo and condition your hair before and after swimming to avoid damage.
Age: Reason 20
As we age, our hair goes through changes. It starts to lose volume, thickness and experience more dryness. It becomes important to treat your aging hair with care and use hair care products that cater to the particular needs of damaged and aging hair.
Reason 21: Lack of Exercise
Lack of exercise can lead to poor blood circulation and less oxygen for your hair follicles. This can cause your hair to become weak and fall out. Exercise regularly to maintain healthy blood circulation and avoid hair loss.
Stress: Reason 22
Stress can lead to hair loss and thinning of hair. It’s important to minimize stress and engage in relaxing activities like yoga and meditation that can help you reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
Reason 23: Using the Wrong Hair Ties
Some hair ties like those made of elastic bands can snag and cause hair damage. Opt for hair ties made of silk, satin or other fabrics that won’t cause hair damage.
Reason 24: Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control can affect hair growth and cause hair loss in women. Speak to your doctor about what kind of birth control options you have and their effects on hair growth.
Reason 25: Poorly Managed Hair
Not managing your hair properly and leaving it uncombed can cause knots and tangles. These knots can then lead to breakage when you try to detangle your hair. Take time to comb your hair daily and detangle it properly with a wide-tooth comb.
Reason 26: Using Hot Water to Wash Hair
Hot water can strip hair of natural oils and cause dryness. Always use lukewarm or cold water to wash your hair and avoid using hot water.
Reason 27: Using a Towel to Dry Your Hair
Friction caused by towels can lead to hair damage and tangles especially when the hair is wet. Instead, use a soft T-shirt to dry your hair gently or opt for a hair towel that lessens the chance of damage.
Reason 28: Not Getting Regular Haircut
Not getting haircuts regularly can lead to the split end, and split ends can lead to hair breakage. Regular haircuts get rid of split ends, allowing your hair to grow healthier, and prevents split ends from forming in the first place.
Reason 29: Nutrient Deficiency
Nutrient deficiencies like iron, B12, or zinc can cause hair loss and thinning. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins can help mitigate nutrient deficiencies. Consider taking multivitamins to supplement your diet.
Reason 30: Lack of Moisture in the Air
Hair needs moisture to thrive and look healthy. During dry weather, the air can be dry, causing your hair to become brittle and prone to breakage. Consider using a humidifier to add moisture to the air and keep your hair looking healthy.