Brittle hair - causes, treatment and home remedies

Does your hair break easily and looks dull, frizzy and dry? You probably have brittle hair which if ignored can lead to hair loss eventually. But there are tips and tricks which can help you manage this condition yourself. We asked renowned hair and skin expert Dr Jaishree Sharad to tell us more about brittle hair – its causes and ways to manage it.

Why does hair become brittle?

Your hair can turn brittle without you even realising it. Even people who have luscious locks can have brittle hair if they do not take good care of it. According to Dr Sharad, ‘Brittle hair is generally caused by various chemical and physical treatments done to the hair fibre such as excessive curling, dying, or the improper use of other hair straightening products, excessive sun exposure. Because so many environmental and cosmetic factors may be at once, it is difficult to pinpoint one factor as THE CAUSE of hair weathering.’

Tips to reverse this condition

A few dietary changes and DIY tips can help you tackle brittle hair with ease. Lack of certain essential vitamins such as vitamin C, B complex, iron too can result in weak and brittle hair. Since the hair is made of keratin which is a protein, it is vital to feed your hair that to increase its strength. Here’s what Dr Sharad advises:

• Eat a high-protein diet comprising chicken, eggs, fish, sprouts, soya, paneer, milk, yoghurt to make hair stronger from within.
• Use mild hair shampoos to wash your hair.
• Avoid blow drying and other heat treatments such as perming or straightening.
• Avoid sun exposure or cover hair with a hat or apply hair sunscreen to protect it from harmful rays.
• Check your hemoglobin level and if low, take supplements.

DIY hair packs for brittle hair

A simple hair pack which you can make at home is of aloe vera gel and honey. Mix the two in equal proportions and then apply the mixture on your roots and hair and let it stay for 15 minutes. Then rinse hair with plain water or a mild shampoo. Do this twice a week to see results. The gel will make your hair less frizzy and honey will provide the moisture it needs.

Another hair mask which you can make at home is using the yolk of an egg and adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with it. Apply it the same way and leave for 15-20 minutes before washing it off. This will not just strengthen your roots but add a shine too. 

Hair loss mega guide – causes, treatments, medications, home remedies and more

Hair loss is a feared condition which in addition to one’s hair also results in a certain loss of self-esteem and confidence. The sad part is, it is quite prevalent in youngsters these days but the good news is, it can very much be controlled and reversed with the latest advancements in technology.

There are certain common causes which lead to hair loss. These include:

Stress: Fast-paced and hectic lifestyles can sap a lot of energy out of us and increase our stress levels. Numerous studies hold stress responsible for many health problems ranging from smaller ones like a headache to life-threatening ailments like a heart attack. True, a good percentage of people who shed a bit of extra hair are susceptible to a lot of stress, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that stress is the only factor responsible for baldness.

Hair styling tools: Blow drying your hair after a shower may seem to be an easy and no-fuss method, but numerous studies suggest that blow drying your hair on a daily basis could contribute to a lot of hair fall. Other styling treatments like straightening and curling if done frequently, contribute to a few extra strands on your hairbrush.

Junk food: Junk food is criticised and held responsible for almost all health conditions, and it’s mostly because junk food hardly gives your body any nutrients. Living on junk food could lead to nutritional deficiencies, which may contribute to baldness. People having eating disorders are also more likely to suffer from extensive hair loss.

Not just these, hair loss could also be a result of certain conditions: 

Psoriasis: Dandruff is a common problem that can be easily treated with an anti-dandruff shampoo. But if your dandruff is starting to turn into thick, scaly patches, it could be a sign that you have psoriasis. It is a long-term skin problem that causes skin cells to grow rapidly that leads to thick, white, silvery, or red patches of skin. 

Protein deficiency: Another sign of a more serious problem could be dry and brittle hair that breaks easily. Your hair is made up of a protein called keratin, and if you’re not getting enough protein in your diet, it could weaken your hair. This could also be another sign of a thyroid issue, so be sure to check with your doctor if this is the case.

Home remedies to treat hair loss

If you are experiencing hair fall, you can control it with inexpensive home remedies. These help in strengthening the roots to initiate new growth. Some of these are:

Onion: Squeeze an onion and take juice out of it. Add one to two teaspoons of honey to it. To do away with the odour, you can use rose water with onions. Mix and apply it on your hair. Keep it for 40 to 50 minutes. Then wash your hair. 

Coriander: Make a paste with freshly chopped coriander leaves and water. Use its juice to apply on the scalp. Keep it for about an hour and then wash it off.

Curry leaves: You can make an effective hair tonic by boiling some curry leaves in your hair oil and applying it on your scalp. Massage it well for at least 15-20 minutes. Follow this procedure twice a week to stimulate your hair growth.

Coconut: Coconut provides a host of ingredients that naturally condition and promote growth of hair. The milk of the coconut contains proteins, essential fats and minerals such as potassium and iron; using it regularly can reduce the breakage of hair. Coconut oil also carries the same rich ingredients and it helps to make the hair stronger right from the root, through the shaft to the tip. Regular use of this oil to massage the scalp has a protective action against hair loss. Grate coconut and squeeze out the milk by mixing in a little water. Apply this to the specific area where you notice thinning or balding. Allow to stay overnight and the next morning, rinse off with water.

Amla: Packed with vitamin C and rich in antioxidants, amla is the perfect solution for most hair loss woes. Besides applying to the scalp, it is also helpful to consume it on a regular basis because the vitamin C is good for your body. Crush the amla fruit to extract a juice or buy the amla powder available at an herbal store. Add 2 teaspoons of the juice or the powder into an equal quantity of the juice freshly squeezed from a lime. Mix well, apply to the scalp and leave it to dry; then rinse using warm water.

Other treatments

Hair transplant: This is perhaps the most permanent solution for hair loss. It is broadly achieved by removing grafts/follicles from the back of the head which are more resistant to hormonal changes, and placing them in areas of scanty growth or baldness. There are two methods to remove the grafts – Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) and Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE).

Hair restoration: This procedure consists of regrowing hair on the scalp without any linear scarring. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area before the procedure and hair follicles are removed from the non-testosterone sensitive zone at the back of the head. After this, the hair follicles are placed on the scalp. On an average, 6,000 to 9,000 hair follicles are placed on the scalp. The hair begins to grow after about three months of the treatment and thickens up between the fifth and eighth months. Patients can see a full growth within 10 months of the procedure. This method of hair restoration does not use cutting objects like scalpels or sutures which cause scarring and takes up to six hours for one sitting.

Hair extensions: Hair extensions are a temporary solution for people who have lost hair either made of human hair or synthetic hair fibre supplements. They can make your thin hair look voluminous. Wax, glue, adhesive or silicon rings are used to attach the extensions to hair. If you are using human hair, you need to take care of it by keeping it well-conditioned. On the other hand, synthetic fibres lose shine and colour due to frequent washing. So be careful with them.

Stem cell treatment: In this process, a small amount of fat is taken from the waist area of the person whose hair is being treated through a mini-liposuction process. This fat, which contains dormant stem cells, is then put in a centrifuge and spun to separate the stem cells from the fat. Once that is done, an activation solution is added to these cells. The cells might have to be multiplied in number depending on the size of the bald area that needs coverage. Once activated, the solution is washed off so that only cells remain. Now, the stem cells are injected into the scalp where hair loss has appeared. One can find some hair growth in about two to four weeks.

In this technique, a thin and transparent membrane containing human hair is applied to the scalp and woven with rest of the hair for a natural look.

Wefts and strand-by-strand procedures: The process involves selecting the hair type and membrane that matches best with the patient so as to give the hair a very natural look and feel. The colour, hair type etc. need to be similar to their existing hair. Next in line is the adhesive used for bonding the membrane to the scalp. Due to technological advancements, the adhesive used these days is very strong and does not come off due to sweat or water. 

Apart from these, there are also medications to control hair fall depending on the type of hair loss you are suffering from.

For male pattern baldness

Finasteride: It is a pill that blocks the action of natural hormones in scalp hair and reduces hair loss. Approved for use in only men with androgenic hair loss, this drug is found to be safe in postmenopausal women. 

Dutasteride: It may help in hair loss by blocking the production of or binding of testosterone in the scalp hair follicles. You are not permitted to donate blood before the six-month clearance time after taking this medication.

For patchy hair loss

Small amounts of steroids like triamcinolone may be injected into your affected scalp patches to stimulate hair growth. 

Other options such as oral steroids, immune-suppressants or ultraviolet light therapy are available for severe cases but they have potential side effects or risks.

Though these are the available options you can choose from if you suffer from hair loss, in order to avoid it, eat a healthy diet and nourish your hair to keep it from falling. Massage using oils like olive, coconut, almond, etc.

7 Home Remedies to Control Hair Loss

Owe it to our flawed genetics or hectic lifestyles and the falling standards of nutrition in our diets hair loss seems to have turned into a healthcare plague.

Use the following home remedies for controlling hair loss:

1. Regular Massaging with Basic Oils

Regular massaging of the scalp with lukewarm oil helps to stimulate the hair follicles. This is also an easy way to cure hair growth deterrents like dandruff and fungal infections. Regular massaging increases the blood circulation in the scalp. It is also useful for lowering anxiety or stress that is often the underlying reason for thinning of hair. Recommended oils for 3 to 4 times-a-week massaging schedule includes coconut oil. You can alternate this with mustard oil. Keep the oil on for at least six hours before washing it off with a mild shampoo. Other oils that can be mixed with coconut oil in trace amounts for faster results include almond oil.

2. Natural Concoctions for Preventing Hair Loss

Coconut milk is among the richest sources of tissue-nourishing, plant derivatives. It is an excellent home remedy for keeping the hair soft without depending upon chemical formulations and regenerating dead hair follicles. You can also use a concoction of coconut oil mixed with half the amount of Amla oil. Just add a dash of lemon juice to this mixture and you have an effective, dandruff-fighting and scalp-healing concoction that arrests receding hairline.

3. Nature’s Effective Hair-stimulating Juices

Wheatgrass juice is one of the most effective remedies against hair fall. It is known to decrease the shedding tendency of hair within a few weeks of regular intake. Aloe vera juice has a similar effect. However, aloe gel can be applied to the scalp too. This is helpful for preventing hair loss due to irritated, dry or infected scalp. After massaging the head with aloe gel, wash the hair with lukewarm water. This can be done twice, every week.

4. Slightly Demanding But Very Effective Natural Therapies

You can make your own hair fall-preventing medicine at home by frying some fenugreek (methi) seeds in coconut oil. Strain this mixture and apply it in minimal amounts, rubbed gently into the hair roots. Alternatively, you can boil some henna leaves in mustard oil. After cooling and straining this preparation, add drops of it in your coconut oil container that you are using for regular massaging.

5. Homemade Pastes

You can wash the hair with a paste made from Neem leaves. This is particularly effective for hair loss caused due excessive build up of scalp oil or invasive skin infections. For restoring the alkaline balance of the scalp and preventing hair fall, you can follow this with washing the hair with apple cider vinegar. Other homemade pastes that can be very useful include a mixture prepared from adding honey and olive oil to some cinnamon (dalchini) powder.

6. Arrest Hair Fall With Elementary Household Items

Before washing your hair, apply the juice extracted from crushed coriander (dhania) leaves. You can also use a mixture of curd and gram flour (chana atta) that should be kept-on for at least an hour before bathing.

7. Hair Fall Dietary Recommendations

For a comprehensive, hair fall prevention regimen, you need to be equipped with a diet plan that includes foods that can arrest hair fall and stimulate better scalp health. Recommendations here include eating more seeds and nuts (almonds and peanuts) along with green leafy vegetables like spinach and sprouts of a variety of dals (legumes). Basically, foods rich in calcium, protein and iron are vital for ensuring overall health of the scalp. Combine this with some basic dietary supplementation, i.e. using over-the-counter products that help to ensure wholesome nutrition for your hair. Regular intake of Amla juice ensures adequate amounts of Vitamin C but you can boost this with eating more guavas. Ensure you take a multivitamin that combines beta-carotenes, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin E and trace amounts of zinc and iron.