If Your Hair Is Snapping, These Are the Habits You Need to Change ASAP

Over the past few weeks, it’s safe to say that we have all experienced a beauty mishap or two. From patchy, half-fallen-out lash extensions to grown-out manicures and toes that need some serious tending to, there’s no doubt that our beauty routines have recently been flipped on their heads. The biggest issues that it seems almost everyone is facing, though, are those to do with our hair. 

Being unable to get out to salons means that many of us are currently facing unsightly roots and split ends and even risking at-home haircuts in a bid to better the situation. One of the most common complaints that I have come across, however, is that of hair breakage. In fact, almost everyone I have spoken to agrees that their hair seems to be snapping much more than it ever has before.

hair-breakage-287122-1588781608875-image

(Image credit: @FONGMINLIAO)

Unsure whether your short strands are breakage or just baby hairs? "Loss of elasticity in hair leads to snapping. Healthy hair will be able to ping back into shape. The stress test is when it's wet, if you pull the hair and it bounces back, it's healthy,” says Paul Edmonds, celebrity hairstylist and official BAFTA partner.

While there’s no doubt that regular trims are essential for keeping hair healthy and strong, there are some things that will help prevent further hair breakage. Keep scrolling to discover the hair habits that experts warn could be causing your strands to snap and what you can do to help.

Heat Styling

hair-breakage-287122-1588781975910-image

(Image credit: @LELETNY)

Okay, it might seem obvious, but overprocessing your hair, in general, is sure to lead to some sort of weakening and breakage, and when you throw some serious heat into the mix, things get a whole lot worse. "Heat styling causes both disulphide bonds and hydrogen/salt bonds to degenerate. These bonds form the structure of the hair, and once compromised, they make the keratin weak and shed. Keratin is the material that hair is made from, so the hair itself gradually becomes thinner and snaps,” explains Edmonds.

While social trips out are on hold for a little longer at least, now is a great time to give your hair a bit of a break from all of the heat styling. Why not let your hair air dry or take a hiatus from daily tonging? If you can’t face the thought, investing in a hard-working heat protectant is absolutely imperative if you want to prevent breakage.

Using Tight Hairbands

hair-breakage-287122-1588782312116-image

(Image credit: @CASSDIMICCO)

If you have long hair and are anything like me, your go-to hairdo for the last six weeks will have been a zero-effort topknot that teeters somewhere between your forehead and your crown. A chic look it is not, but given the current working-from-home situation, I have found it quite practical. 

The bad news is that it’s causing serious breakage. "People are wearing their hair up more than they usually would. Using elasticated bands with dry hair that’s knotted will cause more breakage,” says Edmonds.

So what can be done to help? Revlon Professional global artistic ambassador Mark Leeson advises that there are kinder ways to style your hair practically. "Try a loose plait to keep hair away from your face and tie with a silk hair tie that won’t cause snags,” he says.

Twisting

hair-breakage-287122-1588782894556-image

(Image credit: @ITSHEYMORGAN)

Fiddling, twisting and playing with your hair might seem like a harmless habit at first, but actually anything that causes unnecessary friction will cause damage. "Twisting your hair with your fingers out of nervous habit can definitely cause breakage,” says Edmonds.

On a wider scale, your hair is likely experiencing damaging friction every day that can be drastically reduced. Take towel-drying your hair, for instance. "Rubbing when towel-drying can damage vulnerable hair,” warns Leeson. "Always blot instead of rub.”

Brushing When Wet

hair-breakage-287122-1588783417093-image

(Image credit: @ALYSSAINTHECITY)

I get it. Brushing your hair is kind of a must, especially when it’s knotted and wet. However, it’s not so much the action of brushing your hair that causes breakage, more the way that you do it. "Brushing too hard and vigorously when hair is wet can cause snapping. If you start from the top, you can cause more knotting, causing it to snap,” says Edmonds. He also recommends starting from the ends and gradually working your way up to the root.

The trick to keeping your brushing routine healthy is all in the tool. "Choose a brush that makes light work of knot and tangles, smoothly gliding through hair from root to tip,” advises Leeson.

Overwashing

hair-breakage-287122-1588783764589-image

(Image credit: @AYSHA.SOW)

It might not seem to make much sense, but actually, washing your hair too often can cause issues. "Depending on your hair type, overwashing can cause dryness. Daily washes are okay if you have oily hair, but those with dry hair might only need to wash once a week,” says Leeson. 

Besides the obvious issues that arise with the friction of washing, subjecting your hair to water every day might not help, either. "In poor-water-quality regions, there is a high concentration of mineral salts that cause lime. During rinsing, lime can deposit on the hair, leaving it dull, rough and prone to breakage,” Leeson adds. In order to fight against breakage that occurs as a result of washing and lime, experts recommend nourishing treatments to restore moisture and proteins.

Freelance Beauty Editor

Shannon Lawlor is a renowned beauty journalist and has contributed to Who What Wear’s beauty content since 2020. As a leading beauty editor, expert and brand consultant, she has over eight years of experience working for some of the industry’s most esteemed titles, including Who What Wear (of course), Glamour UK, Stylist, Refinery29 and Fabulous.

Having also worked behind the scenes with some of the industry’s biggest brands and retailers, Shannon has a unique insight into what people really want from their beauty routines. Understanding that beauty lovers seek honest, open and responsible advice, she has it made her mission to demystify the intimidating world of beauty, taking a no-frills approach to the most relatable topics.

While Shannon is the first to admit she doesn’t hold the answer to every beauty question out there, she is dedicated to sharing her expert insights in a bid to help. As a self-proclaimed lazy girl, Shannon has an affinity for easy-to-use, foolproof beauty products and has made it her mission to scope out the best of the best.

When she’s not working, Shannon is likely soaking in the bath or giving no-holds-barred beauty reviews on Instagram from her bathroom floor.