How to stop hair breakage and shedding

If strands of your hair break off while you’re sleeping, showering, brushing it - or even simply doing nothing - then you’re far from alone! This article is all about how to stop hair breakage and shedding, so you can lose as little hair as possible. Learn more about how to keep your hair in top condition here.

Covered are the answers to frequently asked questions, as well as real-life solutions so you can minimise shedding and breakage. Spoiler alert - it’s not all about the shampoo and conditioner you use. Believe it or not, good hair care can even take place while you’re sleeping!

If you want to know how to stop hair shedding naturally, then the simple answer is that you can’t. Not completely, anyway. However you can share hacks regarding how to reduce shedding hair, so you see fewer strands on the pillow, in the hairbrush and on the floor.

Read on to discover all you need to know in the fight against non-Afro and black hair breakage and shedding. Plus a natural hair shedding remedy or two.

Why hair breakage and shedding happens

So before addressing how to stop natural hair from breakage and shedding, why do we encounter the problem in the first place?

Remember that some hair loss is natural. Even those with super healthy hair will lose a few strands here and there during the course of the day - and night. Thus it follows that you cannot stop hair from shedding altogether.

It’s also true, though, that certain practices and processes can contribute to breakage. Hair may break due to over-styling, dehydration or brushing too harshly, for example. Styling or brushing hair while it’s wet isn’t ideal, and even towel-drying it can contribute to shedding and breakage.

Naturally curlier hair tends to be more brittle than straight locks, which is one of the reasons why black hair shedding can be such a problem.

Treating your hair with care means taking simple steps that can help reduce breakage and shedding. Here are some easy ways to give your hair the TLC it deserves - that can also result in less lost strands.

Turn the thermostat down

Try turning down the heat when you’re washing your hair. Too much heat can damage hair, and can also literally ruffle its feathers.

Finishing with a cool rinse can help hair cuticles to lie flat. Thus making it appear sleeker and healthier than when it’s been exposed to hot water.

Drop the towel

Another weapon in the armoury of those battling processed or natural hair and shedding can be how you dry it. Yes, too much heat from the hairdryer is bad news, but your towel can also play a part.

Try doing as Merwave advises and wrap an old t-shirt around your head instead of a towel. The softer surface is far kinder to hair, often leading to a clearly visible difference in your hair’s condition.

Add moisture

The drier your hair is, the more moisture it needs. Post-wash conditioning may not be enough for some hair types. If yours tends to be unruly, try adding a nourishing leave-in product to see if that helps.

Finding a favourite can be fun, and it’s always wise to go for one that’s designed to treat your hair type.

Go au naturel

Do you really need to blow dry your hair every single day? Plus, perhaps, straightening or curling it?

If you can, having even just one hairdryer-free day per week can help to give your hair a much-needed break. Ditto the curlers or straighteners.

For those with longer hair, you could always tidy it up by tying it up out of the way. Whether that’s for work or the weekend.

Use the right brush

A gentle brush like a Tangle Teezer can help to detangle hair while you’re styling. Without the damage to hair that can be caused by other kinds of hairbrush.

Switching to a hairbrush that’s designed to treat hair gently is another simple way you can help to reduce hair loss and breakage.  

Swap your scrunchies

While we’re on the topic of taming your hair by putting it into an up-do… think about what you’re using to secure it with.

We suggest swapping to silk scrunchies. Not only do they look utterly lovely and unashamedly luxurious, they’re also far kinder to your hair.

Can you imagine the difference between running a regular rubber band and a silk scrunchie over the surface of your locks as you tie them back for the day or night? Silk causes far less friction, and therefore its use can combat breakage and shedding.

It also makes your crowning glory look as shiny and sleek as it's possible for it to be.

Sleep on silk

Swapping a regular synthetic or cotton pillowcase for a silk one can pay huge dividends. All with absolutely zero effort after you’ve ordered it.

Silk is so much better for your hair. If you do treat your hair to leave-in moisturising products, then silk won’t absorb these in the way that cotton does. Leaving them in place to work their magic.

Fine silk is so much smoother than cotton. It’s also sleeker than satin, which can cause static and friction because it’s a man-made material. This keeps your hair smoother as you move around during the night.

Sleeping on silk will mean waking up with fewer strands of hair strewn all over the pillow. (As well as less fine lines and wrinkles one your face.)

See our post on the best pillowcase for your hair to learn more about the differences in pillowcases and how they can affect the condition of your hair.

Why does my hair shed so much?

Losing some hair is natural and it happens to everyone. There are some factors, however, that can exacerbate the problem. Everyone can experience hair loss due to stress or poor diet, for example.

Women, for example, may experience more hair shedding and breakage due to hormonal changes, especially after pregnancy or during the menopause. Some men, meanwhile, may begin to lose their hair as early as their late teens.

How can I stop my hair from shedding and breaking?

Some hair loss is entirely natural, but the good news is that you can give your hair a helping hand by treating it more gently.

To reduce hair shedding and breakage, try applying less heat in the shower or via the hairdryer; swapping your towel, hairbrush and scrunchies for gentler alternatives; adding a leave-in conditioner and sleeping on a silk pillowcase.

A silk pillowcase and set of silk scrunchies are two of the most natural answers to the question of how to stop natural hair breakage. Why not shop our gorgeous range today?