Brittle hair and split ends? The remedies are there

Brittle hair, a frequent problem, especially for those who keep them long. Here are the causes and remedies to always have healthy and beautiful hair.

They break, fall, have no volume and have split ends. When the hair is brittle it is necessary to run for cover. Here are some tips.

The fragility of the hair, more common if the hair is long and already prone to dry, is caused by the formation of free radicals in the protein part of the hair.

The cells of the cuticle – that is, the outer lining of the hair whose function is to protect it – which in a normal situation should remain attached to each other, crumble giving rise to fissures. The most obvious result is split ends.

The most common causes

But why does hair dry out, becoming brittle? The main defendant is environmental pollution, both indoor and outdoor, but also treatments such as dyes, permanents, use of plates, hot curlers, high temperature hair dryers and even the water with which they are washed.

From our taps, in fact, comes down a water often too added with chlorine and rich in limestone. A simple extra in the care of brittle and brittle hair is to rinse it, after shampoo and conditioner, with natural mineral water.

Even some diseases, for example hypothyroidism or anemia, can manifest themselves with suddenly dull and fragile hair. Of course they are less frequent, but require consultation with your doctor.

Simple remedies, to be adopted immediately

To find healthy hair, all too aggressive interventions (dyes, discoloration, etc.) and “stressful” hairstyles, such as braids, ponytail, tight chignon, should be abandoned as soon as possible, at least until improvement.

In case of split ends, a cut of a few centimeters, just above the first signs of flaking, immediately improves the appearance of the hair.

A real beauty treatment consists in applying an oil along the entire length, for an hour before shampooing. You can choose between jojoba, coconut, almond, wheat germ.

The shampoo must be possibly non-foaming and it is made even more delicate by mixing it with a little natural mineral water.

Wash your hair with warm water as too high a temperature dries them even more. The balm is necessary and the application times indicated on the packages must be respected. Never comb your hair when it is wet because it gets damaged and breaks. Use a towel and, if necessary, the hair dryer pointing the revenue towards the roots, at low speed.

And the famous 100 brush strokes before going to sleep? They risk doing only damage: it is enough to use a comb with wide and soft teeth, avoiding pulling the hair.

The right nutrition and, when needed, integrate

The fragility of the hair may depend on some food deficiency. Weakening and dryness could be the consequence of a low protein diet: if meat and fish rarely appear on the table, change the menu in this sense.

Among the vitamins necessary for hair health, A, those of group B and E. In particular, vitamin B4, present in meat, cereals, egg yolk and cabbage, regulates the activity of hair follicles.

All citrus fruits maintain the elasticity of the hair, preventing it from getting worn out. And no less important are the mineral salts; The diet for brittle hair must be varied and include foods that contain:

Minerals Food sources Function
Iron Red meat, dried fruit Lack can cause hair loss
Copper Liver, molluscs, walnuts Fundamental in keratinization processes
Selenium Whole grains, onion Powerful antioxidant
Zinc Red and white meats, beans, peas Compound naturally present in the hair
Sulphur Eggs, shellfish, chicken Makes hair shiny and fluffy

And, for extra help, you can ask your pharmacist who can recommend the right vitamin and mineral supplements.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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