What Makes Womens Hair Stop Growing & Brittle?

Some hair treatments can lead to brittle hair and hair loss.

Hair grows in a continuous cycle. Repeated chemical treatments and use of hairdryers can damage hair follicles and disrupt this cycle, causing hair to turn brittle. Hereditary disorders may also be responsible for thinning hair and hair loss.

Hereditary Issues

Some women experience brittle hair and hair loss because of a hereditary condition called monilethrix. According to the American Hair Loss Association (AHLA), monilethrix causes hair to break easily, often at the back of the scalp and neck. The severity of this condition may worsen in winter and improve in summer.

Styling

Certain styling techniques can also damage hair. Chemicals that straighten, dye, curl or wave hair can weaken the follicles and make hair brittle. Tight hairstyles like braids and ponytails can pull hair out of the scalp and, according to the Mayo Clinic, can prevent hair growth at the front of the scalp.

Solutions

For a woman with monilethrix, avoiding treatments that cause hair damage such as highlighting and blowouts can reduce hair loss. Ending or lessening a destructive styling habit can give follicles a chance to begin producing new, undamaged hair. As hair is weakest when it is wet, do not brush your hair until it is dry. Use a detangler to loosen knots and then a wide-toothed comb to gently work them out.

References

• American Hair Loss Association: Hair Shaft Defects
• Mayo Clinic: Hair Loss
• "Hair Growth and Disorders"; Ulrike Blume-Peytavi; 2008.