What should you know about cure for hair breakage?

Breakage is damage to the hair shaft rather than hair leaving the follicle. You may see shorter uneven strands, split ends, rough texture, or broken hairs around the hairline. Frequent bleaching, relaxing, heat styling, tight hairstyles, harsh brushing, and pulling on wet hair can weaken the cuticle. Breakage can occur alongside hair loss, but they are not the same process.

Handle hair gently: use a wide-tooth comb, start at the ends, and avoid forceful detangling. Reduce high heat and chemical processing, and use a conditioner after washing. Loose styles and covered elastics can reduce tension. A trim can remove split ends, although it does not change growth from the follicle. If itching, scaling, tenderness, or a receding hairline accompanies snapping, a clinician can check for a scalp disorder such as Scalp Ringworm or Traction Alopecia.

Arrange a dermatology assessment if breakage is sudden, worsening, associated with patchy thinning, scalp pain, crusting, marked itch, or loss of eyebrows. Seek prompt care for swelling, pus, fever, or rapidly spreading scalp inflammation. Bring a list of hair products and styling treatments so the likely trigger can be reviewed.

Could this be shaft damage, true hair loss, or both? Which scalp signs would suggest infection or traction? Should I pause a chemical treatment, change my washing routine, or have testing for another cause?