There are a plethora of things that can make your hair fragile and cause it to break. If you’re at the end of your wits when it comes to trying to make your hair stronger, you’ll want to find out ways to make your hair less less breakable, as told by the experts.
If your teeth, general health, or skin were not all in tip-top condition, you’d go to the relevant professionals to seek their advice – you should take the same tack with your hair. If you chipped a tooth, you’d likely make an appointment with your dentist right away, rather than try to find a home remedy or just grin and bear it. So, if you want healthy, strong hair, instead of just going off hearsay or random urban legends you stumbled across on the internet, it’s best to get your expert advice straight from the source.
Fragile hair can be super frustrating, especially if you’re trying to grow it or get it back into good shape after damaging it, possibly through too much bleaching. Every time you find another split end you lose more hope in your dreams to achieve healthier and stronger tresses. I spoke to a bunch of experts to get the actual facts on how to make your hair less breakable, so you can start nursing your locks back to health.
1. Deep Condition With A Nourishing Treatment At Least Once A Week
Hair Rules Quench Ultra Rich Conditioner, $28, Birch Box
Daven Mayeda at Honey Artists says, “Try Hair Rules Quench Conditioner from Ricky's NYC for daily treatment or Joico K-PAK Reconstructor for weekly treatments.”
Board Certified NYC Dermatologist Dr. Kally Papantoniou also recommends a good quality hair conditioner, “Use a good hair conditioner, don't skimp on this and make sure to leave it on for around 5-10 minutes depending on how much time you have. This will help restore your ends, provide sheen and prevent future breakage.”
2. Don’t Over-Wash Your Hair
Honey Artist Wesley O'Meara tells me, “It's no secret that over washing and conditioning can weaken the hair.” So you might want to cut down the amount of times you wash your hair each week.
3. Use A Reconstructor If Your Hair Is Damaged From Coloring
Joico K-Pak Reconstructor, $13, Amazon
Honey Artist Tyler Colton tells me, “If you have fine or brittle hair caused from hair coloring I suggest using K-PAK Deep Reconstructor from Joico.”
4. Decrease Hair Processing
Dr. Papantoniou informs, “Decrease hair processing if possible… daily blow drying, dying, bleaching, perming, relaxing treatments, etc. These processes can wreak havoc on your hair making it dry, brittle, and result in actual hair loss.” Instead of these hair processes, Dr. Papantoniou recommends people to, “Try more natural hair styling options.”
5. Maintain A Healthy Diet
Mayeda tells me, “A healthy diet is extremely important for preserving the quality and intensity. Nutrient starved diets will negatively impact the quality of your hair immensely.”
Chelle Neff, the owner of Urban Betty Hair Salon in Austin, Texas, seconds this saying, “Keeping your hair strong starts way before it is growing out of your head. Your body is where it begins. You must eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and take a multivitamin.”
6. Switch Your Shampoo To A Cleansing Cream
AG Hair Cleansing Cream, $15, Amazon
O’Meara says, “I suggest switching from a shampoo to a cleansing cream. It is a mild cleanser that doesn't strip the hair too much allowing the natural oils to do what they do best: Protect.” He continues, “AG Hair has a great cleansing cream that won't make your hair fall out. They have also launched a Moisture Mask Infusion Treatment that you can apply before you wash – best to distribute through damp hair and let set 10-30 minutes, or even overnight. Then wash out with the cleansing cream.”
7. Take A Supplement
Vitafusion Multivites Plus Hair, Skin And Nails Support 70 Count, $20, Amazon
Dr. Papantoniou tells me, “Don’t forget to take a hair supplement. Even if you think you have a great diet, you may be surprised that you are deficient in a nutrient. Plus, when it comes to hair, skin, and nails the more the merrier. You may want to try Viviscal (which is very popular); Sugar Bear Hair; or Vitafusion Hair, Skin & Nails Formula, which are yummy gummies and offer more comprehensive vitamins.”
Neff tells me about the multivitamin she takes, “My favorite multivitamin that I take is the Shaklee Vitalizer for women." However Neff says, "Unfortunately there are no secret ‘hair pills’ that actually work to make your existing hair stronger. If you want a plant to be strong it begins with the soil. This is the same with your hair.”
8. Alternate Between A Moisturizing Conditioner & A Deep Reconstructor
Colton says, “The secret to strengthening and reducing damage to hair is to alternate between a moisturizing conditioner and a deep reconstructor.” He elaborates, “Too often when people have damaged hair they try using protein reconstructors every day, which can actually cause more breakage. When your hair is damaged or dry you need to put more moisture back into the hair and use protein conditioners every couple shampoos.”
9. Apply Oil To Your Hair
PURA D'OR Moroccan Argan Oil 100% Pure & USDA Organic For Face, Hair, Skin & Nails, $20, Amazon
Dr. Papantoniou says, “Apply oil to the ends of your hair 2-3 times per week such as argan, moroccan, or coconut oil, to help restore sheen and hydrate.”
10. Don’t Put Your Hair Up When It’s Wet
Mayeda explains, “Avoid putting your hair up when wet, it's fragile in its wet state and tends to shrink up when drying, resulting in breakage by the band.”
11. Use An At Home Remedy In Between Salon Visits
Bumble And Bumble Full Potential Hair Preserving Shampoo, $31, Sephora; Bumble And Bumble Full Potential Hair Preserving Conditioner, $34, Sephora; Bumble And Bumble Full Potential Hair Preserving Booster Spray, $60, Sephora
Neff says, “If you need a take home remedy for fragile/breakable hair, Bumble & Bumble’s Full Potential line will be your new best friend. It has a secret hair preserve blend which has been shown to reduce hair loss by breakage up to 46 percent for one month! The shampoo, conditioner, and booster spray work together seamlessly for stronger locks.”
12. Use More Natural Hair Dyes
“Try hair dye that is more natural and has fewer chemicals, such as Palette by Nature, this may be more forgiving to your hair as well.” Dr. Papantoniou tells me.
13. Sleep With A Satin Pillowcase
2pc New Queen/Standard Silky Satin Pillow Case Multiple Colors, $11, Amazon
Personally, I had no idea that something as simple as a pillowcase could make a difference to the quality of my hair. Mayeda says, “Sleep with a satin pillow case to keep your hair from getting essential oils and moisture stripped from cotton pillowcases.”
14. Don’t Wear Your Hair Up All Day
“This can also lead to breakage of hairs, kinking, and knotting of strands of hair.” Dr. Papantoniou informs me.
15. Use A Demi-Permanent Hair Color Glazing
Colton says, “For fragile hair or fine hair, I always suggest a demi-permanent hair color glazing to seal the cuticle and strengthen the hair.” In addition to this Colton recommends, “If you have fine or damaged hair I also suggest using a hair strengthening and growth product called Viviscal. I have suggested this product to many clients and have had great results, but you must give it at least 30 to 60 days to see the maximum results.”
16. Get Regular Trims
Neff tells me, “And last but not least, to keep your hair stronger, you MUST get regular trims. Every 6-8 weeks is what I suggest. If split ends don’t get trimmed, they will continue to break up the entire length of the hair shaft. Keeping a regular scheduled trim will help your hair maintain its strength and balance.”
So there you have it – follow this expert advice and you'll be sure to have the stronger strands you've been hoping for! Stronger, healthier hair can be a reality, not just a dream.
Images: Getty Images (10); Courtesy of brand
