Split ends, brittle hair, breakage – and that’s about it. May those strands of hair rest in peace! It’s not that having a good hair day is easy, but dry and damaged hair just makes it all the more difficult to achieve. So it is obvious to wonder, how to stop hair breakage? The answer is simple. Simply give the remedies listed below a shot to prevent hair breakage and make your locks soft and lustrous.
- What Is Hair Breakage?
- Why Is My Hair Breaking?
- How To Stop Hair Breakage Naturally
- Preventive Tips
What Is Hair Breakage?
When the shafts of your hair break, resulting in split ends and shorter hair strands, it is known as hair breakage. Hair breakage usually occurs due to a dry scalp and damaged hair.
Wondering what is causing your hair to break? Let us find out.
Why Is My Hair Breaking?
Your hair is breaking due to the following reasons:
- Lack of moisture
- Washing your hair with hard water
- Heat styling and blow-drying your hair
- Hair coloring
- Using cotton pillows
- Tying your hair up in a towel post-shower
Nobody wants their hair to be brittle and damaged. Your hair is called your crowning glory because it plays an important role in enhancing your look. Listed below are some of the best natural home remedies that can help you deal with hair breakage.
How To Stop Hair Breakage Naturally
- Vitamins
- Coconut Oil
- Castor Oil
- Essential OilsVitamins
- Argan Oil
- Green Tea
- Egg Hair Mask
- Aloe Vera
- Garlic
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Avocado
- Carrot Oil
- Grapeseed Oil
- Onion Juice
- Shea Butter
Home Remedies To Stop Hair Breakage
1. Vitamins
Vitamins C, D3, and biotin work exceptionally well in enhancing the health of your hair. For your hair to be in good shape, it is important that the hair follicles receive proper blood supply and nutrition. Vitamin C plays a significant role in the production of collagen that is the base for the formation of blood vessels. While vitamin D3 helps in the production of the component that makes up your hair, called keratin, biotin is essential for hair growth, and its deficiency was found to cause immense hair fall.
You can include these vitamins in your daily diet by consuming citrus fruits, eggs, cheese, and leafy vegetables. You can also take additional supplements for these vitamins after consulting your doctor.
2. Coconut Oil
You Will Need
- 1/2-1 tablespoon of coconut oil (depending on the length of your hair)
- Shower cap
What You Have To Do
- Massage the coconut oil gently into your scalp and spread it all over your hair with your fingers.
- Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave it on for 2-3 hours or overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this at least once a week.
Why This Works
Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer that helps prevent the loss of protein from the hair. The lauric acid in the oil imparts antifungal properties to it, which protects your hair from fungal infections like dandruff. These properties help in preventing hair breakage.
3. Castor Oil
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of castor oil
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil or olive oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix equal portions of castor oil and a carrier oil like coconut or olive oil.
- Massage this mixture into your scalp and along the length of your hair.
- Leave it on for 1 to 2 hours and wash it off with a mild cleanser.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this 1 to 2 times a week.
Why This Works
The ricinoleic acid in castor oil helps in increasing blood circulation to your scalp. This, in turn, nourishes and strengthens your hair and prevents breakage.
4. Essential Oils
a. Almond Essential Oil
You Will Need
- 2-3 drops of almond essential oil
- 1/2-1 tablespoon of any carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)
What You Have To Do
- Mix almond essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice.
- Massage this mixture gently into your scalp and hair.
- Leave it on for 1 to 2 hours and then wash it off with a good shampoo.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once a week.
Why This Works
Almond essential oil can help your hair regain its lost luster and thickness. It contains beneficial components like vitamin E, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids that nourish the hair and protect it from further damage and breakage.
b. Chamomile Essential Oil
You Will Need
- 3-4 drops of chamomile essential oil
- 1/2-1 tablespoon of any carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)
What You Have To Do
- Mix chamomile essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice.
- Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair and leave it on for an hour.
- Wash the mixture off with a mild shampoo.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1 to 2 times a week.
Why This Works
Chamomile essential oil exhibits moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat an inflamed scalp and dry and damaged hair. It is also antifungal and can prevent scalp infections caused by fungi.
5. Argan Oil
You Will Need
4-5 drops of 100% argan oil
What You Have To Do
- Take a few drops of argan oil in your palms and rub them together.
- Apply it directly to your scalp and hair.
- Wash your hair after 1 or 2 hours. You can also leave the oil on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply argan oil to your hair 1 to 2 times every week.
Why This Works
Argan oil is a rich source of vitamins A, C, and E and has antioxidant properties, which protect your hair from damage and breakage. It also contains linoleic acid and omega-6 fatty acids, the presence of which keeps your hair moisturized and healthy.
6. Green Tea
You Will Need
- 1/2 tablespoon of powdered green tea
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix the powdered green tea with coconut oil.
- Apply this paste to your scalp and hair and leave it on for 10 minutes.
- Wash your hair with cool water.
- You can also consume green tea.
How Often You Should Do This
You must use this hair mask at least once a week.
Why This Works
Studies have proved that green tea contains catechins that have antioxidant properties and stimulate hair growth. It also possesses antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties that can protect your scalp from infections and prevent thinning of hair.
7. Egg Hair Mask
You Will Need
- 2 egg whites
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 cup of milk
- A few drops of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
1. Mix the egg whites, olive oil, milk, and lemon juice in a bowl.
2. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair and leave it on for 30 minutes.
3. Wash your hair with a mild cleanser.
4. Alternatively, you can also use whole whipped eggs.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this 2 to 3 times every month.
Why This Works
Egg whites are a rich source of proteins and help in keeping your hair healthy, soft, and breakage-free. They exhibit significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can protect your hair and scalp from inflammation and damage.
8. Aloe Vera
You Will Need
- 1/2 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
- 1/2 tablespoon of almond oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix equal portions of aloe vera gel and almond oil.
- Apply this mixture all over your scalp and hair.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and then wash it off with some water.
- You can also apply aloe vera gel directly to condition your hair.
How Often You Should Do This
You can do this twice a week.
Why This Works
Aloe vera gel is quite popular for its skin and hair benefits. This is mainly due to its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, photoprotective, and antifungal properties, which help in keeping your scalp dandruff-free and prevent hair breakage. Aloe vera can also restore the pH of your hair as its pH is similar to that of your hair.
Plant of Immortality – Aloe Vera Health Benefits and Medical Uses
9. Garlic
You Will Need
- 6-7 garlic cloves
- 100 mL of coconut or olive oil
What You Have To Do
- Mince the garlic cloves and put into a container containing coconut or olive oil.
- Store this in a cool and dry place for about a week.
- Apply it to your hair and scalp.
- Wash it off after an hour or so.
How Often You Should Do This
Apply this oil at least once a week.
Why This Works
Your hair is mainly made up of keratin. And garlic is a rich source of sulfur, which acts as a building block of keratin. Additionally, garlic also has antifungal and antioxidant properties that can protect your scalp and hair from breakage and fungal infections.
10. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups of water
What You Have To Do
- Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to two cups of water and mix well.
- Use this solution to rinse your hair after shampooing.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once a week.
Why This Works
A disturbed pH can cause your hair to become dry and damaged. Apple cider vinegar (ACV) helps to balance the pH of your scalp owing to the presence of acetic acid in it. Acetic acid also helps in keeping your hair soft, thereby preventing breakage. Also, ACV is antimicrobial and can prevent scalp infections.
11. Avocado
You Will Need
- 1/2 avocado (peeled)
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tablespoon of butter (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Blend the pulp of half an avocado with an egg yolk to form a smooth paste. You can also add some butter.
- Apply this paste to damp hair, from the roots to the tips.
- Massage your scalp gently with this mixture for a few minutes and leave it on for at least 20 minutes.
- Rinse your hair and shampoo and condition it as usual.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this at least twice a month.
Why This Works
The nourishing properties of avocado are due to the presence of vitamins and minerals. This fruit acts as a natural conditioner and prevents hair breakage and damage. Avocados are also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that are quite important for having healthy and lustrous hair.
12. Carrot Oil
You Will Need
- 6-7 drops of carrot oil
- Carrier oil like olive or coconut oil (optional)
What You Have To Do
- Take about 6 to 7 drops of carrot oil and apply it directly to your scalp and hair.
- Alternatively, you can also mix carrot oil with any carrier oil and apply it to your hair.
- Leave it on for 1 to 2 hours before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this at least once a week.
Why This Works
Carrot oil is derived from the seeds of the carrot. This oil is a rich source of vitamins A and E and beta-carotene that are quite essential for healthy hair. It is also antibacterial and antifungal and has healing properties that can help you deal with a dry scalp and breakage-prone hair.
13. Grapeseed Oil
You Will Need
2-3 teaspoons of grapeseed oil
What You Have To Do
- Heat grapeseed oil and massage your hair and scalp gently with it.
- Cover your head with a shower cap and let the oil work on your hair overnight or for 1 to 2 hours.
How Often You Should Do This
You must try this treatment out once a week.
Why This Works
Grapeseed oil is one of the best ways to keep your hair moisturized without weighing it down. This is because it is much lighter than most oils out there. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin E and can thus help in making your hair strong and preventing breakage.
14. Onion Juice
You Will Need
- 1/2 tablespoon of onion juice
- 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix the onion juice with coconut oil.
- Apply this mixture to your hair, concentrating on your scalp.
- Leave it on for 20-30 minutes before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this at least once a week.
Why This Works
Onions are a rich source of sulfur, which is a building block of keratin. Hence, onions not only help prevent hair fall and breakage but also make your hair stronger and healthier. Also, the antifungal properties of onions help in preventing dry scalp and dandruff.
15. Shea Butter
You Will Need
1 teaspoon of shea butter
What You Have To Do
- Take a teaspoon of shea butter and rub it in between your palms until it melts.
- Apply it to your hair using your fingers.
How Often You Should Do This
You can use shea butter whenever your hair feels too dry and messy.
Why This Works
Shea butter can be used as a natural alternative to your conditioner. Its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties ensure a healthy scalp and hair. The highly moisturizing properties of shea butter protect your hair from breakage and further damage.
Use these remedies to help stop hair breakage. Here are a few tips you can follow to prevent this problem altogether.
Preventive Tips
- Trim your hair on a regular basis.
- Avoid blow drying and ironing your hair every day.
- Do not comb your hair when it is wet.
- Do not change your hair color often or look for a natural alternative if you plan to do so.
- Massage your hair and scalp with a good oil every now and then.
- Use a hydrating conditioner to keep your hair well moisturized.
- Do not wash your hair daily as it may damage it and make it dry.
- Follow a healthy diet that consists of fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meat, and lots of fluids.
A little care and a little effort are all you need to prevent hair breakage and keep your hair tangle-free. Religiously following the remedies given here will save your hair from further damage and also repair the damage that is already done. So, get going and get started on your journey towards beautiful and healthy hair.
Questions on Hair Breakage from Readers and Answers by Experts
What medical conditions can cause hair breakage?
If you have a medical condition called lupus, the chances of your hair turning brittle and breaking are quite high. Those who have cancer, thyroid problems, and pituitary gland diseases are also more likely to experience hair damage and fall.
What is the best hair mask to stop breakage?
Although all the remedies in this article can give you effective results, the egg mask is the best. You can also try the avocado hair mask for stronger and healthier hair.
Are lemons good or not for stopping hair breakage?
Lemons, when used undiluted, are extremely acidic and can strip your hair of its natural oils. This may lead to dry, brittle, and breakage-prone hair. Hence, too much of lemons is not good for your hair.