5 things hairstylists wish you knew about hair breakage
You could do hours of hair research and still not know as much as someone who has hands-on experience, day in and day out. So, grill your hairdresser – AKA the ultimate haircare expert – on how to protect your hair and prevent thinning caused by breakage. Not booked in any time soon? Here are the words of wisdom they’re likely to share with you when you do…
1. “Growing your hair? Trim it regularly”
We know it sounds like the most contradictory advice ever, but listen up. The ends of your hair are the oldest and most damaged, which often manifests in frazzled split ends. Not only will a good trim make frayed ends look healthier and thicker, but it will prevent splits from traveling further up the hair shaft. Aim for a trim every three months at least, or closer to two months if you notice visible damage sooner.
2. “Hair needs beauty sleep”
Hair doesn’t regenerate overnight like skin (if only), but most people are unaware of just how much damage takes place while they sleep. Think about how much your head moves around on the pillow overnight – the friction this causes can raise and damage the hair cuticle, causing flyaways (hello, bed head!) Sleeping on a silk pillowcase (or synthetic satin if you want a vegan alternative) will go a long way in reducing this damaging friction.
3. “Invest in good haircare – it’s worth every penny”
Plenty of haircare works to make hair look healthier on a superficial level, but the NEXXUS Unbreakable Care Shampoo and Conditioner contain a PROTEINFUSION blend with collagen, biotin, spirulina, and an advanced keratin protein – all proteins high in arginine amino acid, which boasts inner-core-strengthening properties. How? The keratin actives penetrate hair’s core, restoring bonds and internal resilience while providing a nourishing and protective cuticle barrier that helps to prevent breakage. Meanwhile, spirulina and collagen enhance hair’s strength and flexibility and therefore its resistance to damage. Biotin, an essential vitamin, also plays a key role in the health of the hair and scalp by contributing to growth, thickness, strength and shine while helping to build fullness. This means the hair strand is strengthened from the inside, and with micro-thickening technology that creates flexible thickening bonds between hair fibers, the range builds up your hair’s shape and structure. This leaves hair stronger and fuller-looking with up to 97% less breakage*.
4. “Protecting your cuticle will pay off”
Ever noticed the one thing your hairdresser always does before blow-drying your hair? They spritz on a heat protectant (and if they’re not, they should be!). This is because they know how damaging the hot air they’re about to expose your strands to can be. The good news is, most hair protectants offer other benefits, such as the Unbreakable Care Anti-Breakage Root Lift Thickening Spray, powered by NEXXUS’ new Strand Exxpand Technology, which works from the inside out to weightlessly thicken every single strand by +3.4% (resulting in the look and feel of nearly 3,000 more hair strands). This means you are strengthening your hair as you style.
5. “Colored hair is extra fragile”
Many colorists will apply a bond-building treatment along with your color, to limit the cuticle-raising damage caused by dyes and bleaches. It’s up to you to do the same at home, using haircare designed to bolster the hair cuticle and lock in essential moisture (plus that lovely new hair hue you just paid out for). There are plenty of bond-building products available, but any product that protects the integrity of the inner core and cuticle will assist in locking in color and preventing fade.
*vs non-conditioning shampoo