You know we love a good hair-plant analogy, so nothing strikes as close to home as when we walk by a “Hey, I’m trying to grow” sign in our local parks and gardens. At this very moment, 90% of the hairs on our heads are actively growing, and it’s our job to protect them. 

Unfortunately, hair breakage happens often, especially to hair that is already brittle or damaged. A healthy strand is built with overlapping scales around an inner cuticle. When a hair breaks, these scales fall apart, leaving you with dry, dull hair that’s vulnerable to even more damage. Once a hair is broken, there’s not much you can do other than conditioning frequently and waiting it out, so prevention here is key.

Most of us already know the basics of breakage—heat tools, chemical treatments, chlorine, etc—but, let’s be honest, we’re not all diligent when it comes to taking advantage of the products available to help soften the blow. For your strands’ sake, always use a heat protectant before using hot tools, don’t even think about turning on the blow dryer until your hair is already 75% dry, and take a break from washing for at least a few days after any type of treatment. And, as much as we love brushing our hair, too much can lead to breakage so make sure to stop when the time feels right. (Trust us, you’ll know.) 

Common fabrics and materials often cause damage without us even knowing. Cotton is extremely absorbent and can soak up your hair’s natural oils and moisture through your pillow while you sleep. Even your softest cotton towel is likely abrasive on your strands, so consider switching to a microfiber blend instead. One of the most common culprits when it comes to strand damage is the traditional elastic hair tie, which reminds us… we’re always looking for ways to make your path to healthier hair a little easier, so we’ve made something extra special for you that launches later this week. Stay tuned and take care...

Henri Rousseau ‘Two Lions on the Lookout in the Jungle’ (1909-1910)

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