What should you know about hair breakage after straightening?

Chemical straightening alters the hair structure, while heat straightening temporarily reshapes it. Either approach can leave the shaft more vulnerable when used often, applied over old treatment, or combined with vigorous brushing. Breakage appears as short, uneven pieces and split or white-looking ends; shedding leaves a full-length hair with a root end. Check the scalp as well as the ends. Itch, scale, or clustered broken hairs can occur with Scalp Ringworm. Hairline thinning after sustained pulling can occur with Traction Alopecia.

Give processed lengths a break from straightening, colouring, bleaching, and tight updos. Choose a gentle cleanser, condition the mid-lengths and ends, and separate knots with your fingers before using a wide-toothed comb. Keep heat low or allow air-drying, and avoid dragging a brush through wet hair. Do not scratch a sore scalp. Note the kind of straightening used, when it was done, and whether the product touched the scalp; this information makes a clinical review more useful. A small trim may remove frayed ends but will not treat follicle problems.

Arrange a dermatology appointment if the hair continues to snap, the hairline or parting is thinning, or breakage is occurring in patches. Seek prompt care for intense scalp pain, blistering, crusting, swelling, or discharge after a treatment. These findings need assessment rather than another cosmetic service.

Are my follicles affected, or is the problem limited to the hair shaft? Could the scalp changes indicate infection or product irritation? What should I avoid before the next wash, cut, or salon appointment?