What should you know about extremely brittle hair?

Bleaching, repeated colouring, heat styling, tight hairstyles, chemical straightening, sun exposure and rough brushing can weaken the outer cuticle. Hair may then split, snap at different lengths, tangle easily or feel straw-like. Breakage is different from shedding: a broken strand is shorter, while a shed hair usually has its full length.

New brittle hair can accompany scalp inflammation, thyroid or other health problems, nutritional deficiency, or an inherited hair-shaft disorder. A clinician may examine the scalp and hair, review diet and medicines, and decide whether blood tests or a hair specialist referral is appropriate.

Pause bleaching, relaxing and frequent high-heat styling. Use a gentle shampoo, conditioner on the lengths, a wide-tooth comb, and a towel or soft fabric that does not require vigorous rubbing. Detangle from the ends upward, avoid tight pulling, and trim split ends when helpful. Protect hair from strong sun and chlorine, and keep meals varied rather than starting high-dose supplements without advice.

Hair supplement therapy may be considered when a clinician identifies a relevant nutritional need; supplements do not repair already broken fibres. Take photographs and note recent treatments so changes can be compared over time.

Arrange a medical review when breakage starts suddenly, affects the eyebrows or other body hair, comes with scalp pain, scaling, sores or hair loss, or continues despite gentle care. Seek earlier advice for a child with markedly fragile hair or a family history of unusual hair texture.

Ask whether the problem is breakage or shedding, whether the scalp looks inflamed, which tests could identify an underlying cause, and which styling practices to stop. Share recent illness, diet changes, medicines, supplements, colour treatments and tight hairstyles.