Causes of Hair Damage

Chemicals

Bleach, permanent colours, perms and straighteners leave the scales of the cuticle rough and prone to chipping or coming off altogether. Bleaching, perming and straightening also break down some of the protein bonds in the hair, weakening it's structure.

Physical Wear and Tear

Friction is responsible for more damage than most people realise. A rough brush or comb (or even a good brush or comb used too much), salt left on the hair after swimming or a work out, and even pillowcases cause friction. Other physical damage can result from abrasion from rubber bands and tight pony tails.

Heat

Too-hot blow dryers, hot rollers and curling and straightening implements can all crack cuticles and evaporate the moisture in your hair. However, adequate conditioning can insulate hair against low and medium heat.

Weather

Ultraviolet rays break down some of the protein bonds in hair. A little sun won't have too much of an effect on healthy hair (particularly if it's dark) but it can be pretty rough on chemically processed hair. And wind can also damage cuticles.

Other causes of hair damage are:

• Not oiling and conditioning regularly
• Not having your split ends trimmed before they run up each hair shaft
• Sleeping in tight rollers
• Pulling braids too tightly from the scalp
• Some medications and. illnesses

Make Sure You

Figure out the cause of the problem. If a perm or a touch-up was the cause, discontinue all chemical treatments to you hair until the damaged hair has grown out. Once in a way chemical treatment is fine but too often and too repeated chemical treatment to the hair is damaging.

Condition your hair by oiling it at least twice a week.

Do not consult a Trichologist as the final alternative. The faster you get qualified help, the faster your problem will be solved.