Hair has no known vital function in human beings, yet every broken strand breaks our hearts. Brittle hair is mostly the outcome of an unhealthy lifestyle.

The quality of our hair depends on the balance of chemicals such as steroids and thyroid hormones in the body and external physical stress factors such as the use of cosmetic hair-styling products and techniques.

What causes brittle hair?

Hair is not a single sheet of cells but is made up of hard protein called keratin which has multiple sulphur bonds. A strand has a core which is hollow, like a thin pipe.

Avoid tying up your hair

On this core keratin overlaps like successive scales with free edges, directed towards the tip. As the strand grows, this becomes jagged—a process called weathering.

Some amount of weathering is natural, but when the shiny outer layer or the cuticle gets damaged, hair becomes weak, porous, dry and prone to breakage. Brittle hair is the term used when the damage in the hair shaft is sufficient to cause a significant cosmetic disability.



* Genetic make-up Genetic causes are associated with increased fragility and lead to patches of diffused hair loss, but these are rare conditions and are investigated only when the common causes have been ruled out.

* Overexposure to the sun: The sun’s UV rays damage the cuticle.

* Humid environment: The hair shaft swells in the presence of excess moisture. This also damages the cuticle.

* Hormonal imbalance Hypothyroidism is emerging as a major cause of brittle hair. It causes alteration in the body’s protein metabolism process.

* Nutritional deficiency: A diet deficient in Vitamin B, copper and iodine leads to low sulphur content in the hair and therefore weakens bond formation, leading to breakage.

Man-made causes

* Repeated brushing and combing

* Using hard water to wash hair

* Trichotillomania—the compulsive habit of pulling out hair. Use of hair bands, clutches and clips

* Cosmetic procedures, such as blow-drying and ironing, done repeatedly

* Permanent changes such as perming and straightening of wavy hair



The most severe effect is caused by so-called permanent hair procedures as they work by breaking the natural sulphur bonds. In the process, the cuticle is permanently destroyed.

Once the strands start breaking, take it as a wake-up call and start damage control at once. How? Read on.

What not to do

Do not wear rubber bands and clutches they pull the hair and make it weak. Do not use plastic combs they can create an electric charge—especially during the monsoons—which in turn can harm your hair. Instead, use wooden wide-tooth combs. Do not leave any split ends.

Use a wide tooth comb

Trim them regularly to avoid further damage. Avoid hard water Add alum to the water to make it soft. Or, use potable water and not from the bore-well to wash hair. Avoid shower baths Instead, take a bucket bath and let the water stand for ten minutes. The sediments settle at the bottom, leaving the water relatively free of hair-damaging particles.


Avoid frequent hair treatments Keep them at least six weeks apart. Choose hair color over henna I know this goes against grandma’s wisdom but science says henna damages the cuticle by coating it. Using hair color is a better and safer option. Eat a high-protein diet for healthy hair take lots of proteins. Soya is one good source. Take sulphur-rich food Cabbage, cauliflower and asparagus can make your hair healthier if consumed regularly. Use hair packs once a week if you have dry or damaged hair, and once a month if you have oily hair.

TIPS: Hair pack recipe for dry and brittle hair: Mash a banana, add cream, honey and whisk them into a paste. Apply from the root of the hair to the tip. Cover with a hot towel, leave for half-an-hour. Rinse with warm water. To add volume to your hair do the first rinse with soda water and then with warm water.

Do these help too?

Oiling hair Oiling helps only by way of massage. Beer rinse if you must, rinse with beer from a freshly opened bottle. But use it warm, not chilled. There’s no science-proven benefit except that it makes the cuticle shine. Take good care of yourself and your hair. Worry, shock, repeated illnesses can affect your hair adversely. And yes, stay happy. Happiness will make your hair glow!

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