Some of us schedule hair appointments on a regular basis, almost as if it were a military mission. However, this is not true for the vast majority of us. We go to the salon, leave feeling great, and wonder why we waited so long to get a haircut.
Then we promise to make another appointment in a timely manner, but the unavoidable occurs: we forget, life goes on as usual, and we tell ourselves that our precious locks will ‘last.’ Before we know it, six months have passed and our hair has outgrown the ability to pull off the slightly ‘undone’ look and is begging to be saved by expert hands.
Regular haircuts should be scheduled on a regular basis. It not only keeps our hair styled, but it also keeps our locks in good condition by removing split ends, which can cause additional damage if left alone.
Why is my hair getting shorter?
You’ve probably noticed that your hair is getting shorter, but you haven’t cut it yet. Breakage is one of the most important factors in the shortening of your hair. You should also understand what hair breakage is.
Hair shedding and hair breakage may appear to be the same thing, but they are not. Shedding is a natural part of the hair cycle. You’re supposed to lose hair every day—50 to 100 hairs per day, to be precise.
Breakage, on the other hand, happens when the strand shreds itself. Most of the time, small pieces of hair, rather than full hairs, will be found on the ground. Breakage causes your hair to look even shorter.
1. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormones (low thyroid disorder). Despite its small size, the thyroid plays an important role in keeping your body running. This includes your metabolism, heart rate, and even your hair growth.
People with low thyroid can have excessive hair damage, especially after brushing, which could explain why your hair is getting shorter.
Consult your doctor if you have dry, damaged hair, low energy, sudden weight gain, or depression.
2. Eating disorders
If you or a loved one has an unhealthy relationship with food, hair damage could be a symptom. This is especially true for malnutrition-causing eating disorders like anorexia and bulimia nervosa. When the hair follicles lack the nutrients needed to produce new hair, the process is terminated. You may even notice new hairs falling out during the growth cycle. As a result, this may be one of the reasons your hair is getting shorter.
What’s causing hair breakage?
1. Dietary Principles
The old adage “you are what you eat” holds a lot of truth when it comes to hair and skin health. Certain nutrients aid in hair growth and the prevention of breakage caused by damage. Make sure you consume enough zinc, iron, and folic acid on a daily basis.
Protein and antioxidants (found in plant foods) can also help to maintain the health of your hair. The following are the top five hair growth vitamins.
2. Stress/Nervousness
There is a lot of evidence that stress causes hair loss, but it is also known that stress causes hair breakage. Telogen effluvium is the most common type of stress that causes hair damage.
Hair that is in the middle of a growth cycle may fall out because this type of stress causes your follicles to go dormant. You may also notice that your old hair is thinning. Stress reduction may lead to healthier hair.
3. A scarcity of moisture
Hair that is unusually dry is a risk factor for damage and breakage. It is also caused by a variety of factors, including dry weather, low humidity, and extreme heat. When washing your hair, use warm water instead of hot water, as the latter causes additional drying.
If the ends of your hair are dry, try concentrating shampoo on the scalp only. Skipping the conditioner is also a bad idea. Use a leave-in conditioner before combing wet hair if you’re pressed for time.
4. The dangers of heat
For the best results from your hair dryer, flat iron, or curling iron, use high heat. However, if you use these tools incorrectly or excessively, the cuticle may be damaged due to high temperatures.
One way to avoid overall heat damage is to give your strands a break from all styling tools at least once a week. Choose ceramic styling tools to reduce actual heat damage from styling tools; they heat up more evenly, so you don’t have to keep using them on the same sections of hair over and over. It’s also important to protect your hair before using heat.
5. Excessive processing is a no-no.
Perms, relaxers, professional straightening, and colouring can all make your hair look healthier after just one or two treatments. However, if you perform these services on a regular basis, the cuticle may break down and cause hair damage.
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends extending the time between sessions to 8–10 weeks if possible. In the meantime, try a hair mask, such as this color-protecting mask, to extend the life of your hair.
6. Excessive scrubbing
If you have oily skin, you are more likely to have excess sebum (natural oil) production in your scalp. This may lead to the desire to wash your hair more frequently than is necessary.
If you have oily hair, daily washes are fine, but you should not wash it more than once per day. According to the Nemours Foundation, extremely dry hair may only need to be shampooed once a week. Also, gently shampoo the scalp and apply conditioner from the ends to the roots. Try Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo if you need extra oil control during the day.
7. Insufficient towel drying
It’s natural to rub your skin and hair with a towel after you get out of the shower. This rubbing motion, however, harms your hair at a time when it is most vulnerable (after being wet). Instead of rubbing water out of your hair, wrap it in an absorbent towel. As a temporary measure, you can also use a towel to absorb excess water in your hair.
8. Hair ties made of elastic are another option.
While exercising, elastic hair ties are essential for keeping your hair out of your face. And, let’s face it, they can come in handy on bad hair days or when you’re in a hurry.
Hair ties are bothersome because they irritate your scalp and hair cuticle. When you undo your ponytail, you may notice that some hair falls out. You can fix this by occasionally letting your hair down or by making your up-do a little looser so it doesn’t pull on your hair as much. Also, use real hair ties rather than rubber bands, which can cause damage to your hair.
9. Inadequate brushing and combing
You may have heard that brushing your hair 100 times a day is good for it, but the AAD says this is a myth. When styling your hair, they recommend that you only brush and comb it. Make sure to use wide-tooth combs to avoid breakage. You should also brush your hair only when it is completely dry, and avoid using plastic bristles. Use a brush with natural bristles instead.
10.Insufficient hair trimming
It may appear that cutting your hair can be damaging to it. Hair trims, on the other hand, aid in the maintenance of healthy hair and the prevention of split ends. Consider a hair trim to be similar to skin exfoliation — in both cases, you must remove some of the old cells to allow new ones to grow. Split ends can cause breakage because the splits in the cuticle can travel up the rest of your hair’s length.
You should see your stylist at least once every eight weeks. Even if you’re growing out your hair, trimming damaged ends can help prevent further breakage.
What happens if you don’t cut your hair?
1. Your hair “stops growing.”
“By not cutting your hair, you’re actually risking the length rather than letting it grow,” explains Bivona. Trimming your hair on a regular basis may seem counterintuitive, but it will prevent breakage by removing the dead, fragile ends. When split ends travel up your hair and break it off higher, leaving you with shorter hair than before—as was the case with my poor, poor locks.
“I recommend doing a dusting once a season to keep your hair growing,” Bivona says, “so you can stay on top of those split ends without cutting off your precious length.”
2. It causes external damage.
“Your hair will continue to rub against clothing, be ripped out by sunglasses, and be generally abused by your daily life,” observes Bivona. “This roughens the cuticle of your hair, causing it to lose its shine and become even more dry and weak. Unfortunately, as your hair ages, it becomes more prone to breaking off and becoming entangled.”
3. Your natural texture will no longer behave as it did previously.
“The ends of naturally curly hair become weak and lose their natural shape when they are not cut. So, by cutting off the dead ends, you can revitalize your curls.”
4. It leads to split ends:
Surprisingly, allowing your hair to grow without trimming it causes damage and breakage at the ends. If you don’t have damaged or split ends, cutting your hair too frequently will prevent it from growing longer because you’ll be cutting healthy sections of hair.
How to repair hair that’s damaged due to breakage?
1. Maintain a regular hairstyle.
Even if you’ve been growing out your hair for what seems like an eternity, regular trimmings are required to remove dry and split ends. Do you do your nails and exfoliate your face? It’s basically the same idea.
Cutting off the dead ends prevents splits from travelling up your hair and causing more length to be lost. You should Trim your hair every four to six weeks if you want to keep your favorite cut, or every six to eight weeks if you want to grow it out.
2. Invest in a Hair Mask.
Hair that is well-hydrated is hair that is healthy. Invest in good hair care, such as a good moisturizing hair mask, which will help repair damaged strands over time and make your hair look glossy the next day.
Hair masks and deep conditioners that contain reparative keratin and protective amino acids (Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask) hydrate and strengthen the hair at the same time by containing hydrating botanicals and oils (such as the nourishing rosehip oil in BRIOGEO HAIR CARE). Use the deep conditioning treatment instead of conditioner every few times you wash your hair.
3. Do Not Brush Wet Hair (Seriously).
“You may brush wet hair if you have a brush specifically designed for detangling wet, fragile hair,”. When in doubt, use a wide-tooth comb that won’t snag on hair at its weakest point. Also, when brushing wet hair, use a leave-in conditioner to help the brush glide through without snagging or breaking.
One of our favorites is COLOR WOW HAIR Pop + Lock Frizz Control and Glossing Serum, which helps nourish damp hair, conceal split ends, and lay down the hair’s cuticle for a healthier, shinier look.
4. Use sunscreen to protect your hair.
Hair sunscreen is available, and it is critical to protect your strands. UV rays can harm both hair and skin. If you’re going to be out in the sun, wear a hat or apply hair sunscreen. Don’t worry, it won’t leave your hair greasy. “Invest in heat and UV protectant hair products for the best ray and temperature protection.
5. Limit your chlorine exposure.
“If at all possible, limit your time in the pool soaking [your hair],” Chlorine in pools depletes your hair’s natural oils, leaving it dry, rough, and damaged. “If you are a swimmer or spend a lot of time in the water with your hair, use chlorine-protecting products,”. Don’t overlook the hair masks!
6. Add some oil to the pan.
For soft, manageable hair, we recommend Argon oil (which contains fatty acids and vitamin E) and good old coconut oil. When your hair is extra-rough, such as after swimming, use a little argon oil to soften the strands.
You can make your own leave-in conditioner with coconut oil. Apply a small amount from the mid-shaft to the ends of your hair. If you prefer to buy a product, we recommend BRIOGEO HAIR CARE, which contains replenishing ceramides and essential fatty acids. Repair, don’t give up! TM Strengthening Treatment Oil can assist you.
7. Look for treatments that repair hair bonds.
Bond building treatments, such as OLAPLEX No.0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment, are popular among professional stylists and colorists because they work on a molecular level to rebuild the broken bonds that give strands strength and structure. What happens when those bonds come together? Your hair will appear shinier, smoother, and softer, as well as more vibrantly colored.
8. Try not to wash your hair every day.
It’s time to get to know dry shampoo. Only you (and your hairstylist) are aware of how often your scalp becomes greasy. Some people prefer to wash every other day, while others only wash once a week. Avoid washing every day if at all possible.
“If you wash once a day, cut out one wash day per week,”. Washing your hair too frequently can strip essential oils from your scalp before they can work their way down the hair shaft and nourish your entire lengths.
9. Allow Your Style to Breathe.
If you’re experiencing a lot of split ends and breakage while styling, avoid tight hairstyles like ponytails and buns—especially while you’re sleeping or your strands are still damp. “Putting your hair in a pony or bun while it’s still wet and fragile causes elastic breakage. This also applies to braids and buns that have not been properly cared for.
10. Reduce the temperature of hot tools.
If you have color-treated hair, you already know that you should avoid using curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryers. But, if you must use hot tools, don’t just turn them all the way up to the highest setting. The majority of hot tools have at least three different heat settings.
Consider these temperatures to be hair types, with one for fine, medium, and thick hair. Use the low or medium heat setting if you have fine hair, especially if it is color-treated, and so on. Not to mention the heat protectant, which can help prevent further damage when using an iron or blow dryer.
Watch Why your hair is stuck in the same spot not growing | Video
What happened to my hair?
Your hair is most likely getting shorter due to breakage. When your curls are not properly cared for, they can become so dry and brittle that they break off.
Why is my hair getting thinner as I get older?
Some nutrients, such as iron, which is necessary for healthy hair, are processed inefficiently by the body as you age. Because iron is needed for healthy red blood cells, which transport oxygenated blood to the scalp and hair follicles, iron deficiency can result in thin, lifeless hair.
What’s the deal with my hair not growing?
A variety of factors, including age, genetics, hormones, and stress, can cause hair to stop growing or grow slowly.
Is vitamin A good for hair growth?
To grow, all cells require vitamin A. This includes hair, the fastest growing tissue in the human body.
How often should you trim your hair if you want it to grow?
“If you want your hair to be long and healthy, or if you’re trying to grow it out, it’s a good idea to cut off half an inch every 10 – 12 weeks,” says the expert.
Conclusion
Although it may seem counterintuitive, cutting your hair can actually help it grow longer. This isn’t because cutting your hair encourages it to grow faster because you trim the tips rather than the root, where it grows from.
Allowing professional hands to trim your hair on a regular basis, on the other hand, will remove any damaged hair and split ends that may be slowing the growth process.
Surprisingly, allowing your hair to grow without trimming it causes damage and breakage at the ends. If you don’t have damaged or split ends, cutting your hair too frequently will prevent it from growing longer because you’ll be cutting healthy sections of hair.
If your hair is in good condition and you want it to grow longer, gradually increase the frequency with which you have it trimmed while still keeping split ends at bay.
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Until the, Read about, How to Remove Black Box Dye from Hair: 7 Different Ways
