How to prevent hair breakage around the hairline

June 4, 2015

I know, I know. I blog about The Important Things.

haha

A couple readers mentioned that the broken hairs around my hairline might not be caused by hair color. 

I am still moving forward to natural -- thank you all so much for the encouraging comments!! -- but I thought I'd do a little research into other possible causes of breakage around the hairline. 

Besides being possibly caused by hormonal changes, stress, and poor eating habits, breakage can be caused by how we care for (or don't care for) our hair. {Another, nicer, possibility is that it isn't breakage at all, but new, baby hairs.}

Here are a few things I learned.

Don't:
  • Brush or even comb your hair while it is wet. Instead, use your fingers to gently "comb" through your hair. 
  • Blow dry your hair or use heating elements on it (flat irons, curling irons, hot rollers). If you must blow dry your hair, wait until it is almost 90% dry, and use the lowest heat setting.
  • Pull your hair tightly back from your face.
  • Use gels or hairspray, which can dry the hair and make it more susceptible to breakage.
Do:
  • Apply moisturizing masks to your hair once a week. A good, simple one is coconut oil. Apply to hair, distribute evenly, and let it soak in for a good half hour. Wash out with shampoo; no need to follow with conditioner.
  • Use a boar bristle hairbrush, which is gentler on hair.
  • Sleep on a silk pillowcase. It's not as rough on your hair as cotton, especially if you are a restless sleeper, or toss a lot, like me. (It will also prevent face creases.)

This is not really groundbreaking info to me, but I needed to remind myself. I'm guilty of breaking a number of these guidelines. I'm not sure I can wean myself of the hot rollers and hairspray yet.


But if I'm going to have "real" hair, I'm going to want to take good care of it. It's very possible it will have a different texture anyways, and can be cared for differently.

I've ordered some shampoo and conditioner for silver hair after reading up on the best ones. Kind of jumping the gun here, as it will take several more weeks to even see the real silver.

Again, thanks for the encouraging comments. You all have been so supportive of my weight loss. It really has helped me through the tough times. And now, I'm just going to be thinking of all you lovely women with your beautiful hair who have told me that it's worth it, and I will be glad to have ditched the dye.

I like to pretend I'm very casual and okay with all this, but I'm not. Hair really has so much to do with our identity and beauty and sense of self, doesn't it? Much more than I'm willing to admit.

But, the Bible tells us that gray hair is a crown of splendor.

 I'm just wondering whether my crown will be platinum, nickel, silver, chrome, or some kind of alloy?

19 comments

  1. Going grey is a real transformation and I think it takes a lot of courage. I am very happy that I stopped having mine coloured....in Paris meant women just towel dry their hair and because they have a great cut it looks great. The trend now is to have hair look as if you just woke up!
    Would you share with us your reviews on the new products for grey hair?
    Enjoying your hair series!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wash and wear sounds wonderful. I agree; a good haircut is key. Yes, I'll review products; I'm going to be taking you all on this journey with me!

      Delete
  2. I keep thinking I looked younger when I had blond hair but I'm not concerned enough to color again. It took me too long to grow mine out! lol I wonder what products you've ordered too. Sweet hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  3. I admire you for taking the plunge! I have been thinking of letting mine grow out, too, My natural color is reddish brown, so the transition will be very dramatic. Most of it is silver underneath the dye now. It's a little exciting to wonder what color yours will be - I like your descriptions of the possibilities and your tips on preventing hair breakage. I keep breaking mine by putting my glasses on top of my head. When I pull them down, I break my hair or pull it out! I have been trying to be more careful....Ah, the pleasures of ageing! xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are leading the way, I am waiting for the cooler weather and then just letting it grow out, hiding behind a hat for awhile. I hadn't given any thought to products.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my! I am breaking a lot of those rules! One more, too, which I now think is responsible for my broken hair...I put my glasses and sunglasses atop my head and so now I have stopped that. I also don't remove my glasses by lifting up, but by sliding down and off, if that makes sense. It'll be you and that'll be beautiful. Healthy hair always looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  6. It does take courage to stop coloring your hair and going natural. I'd like to know what shampoo for silver hair you are getting also. I try to stay away from the bad chemicals that are in shampoos, it isn't easy.

    I towel dry my hair, use a big toothed comb for combing it out wet, and have a natural bristle brush. I just shampoo my hair, no conditioner, no hair spray, no hot rollers, just let it dry naturally. I know, I'm weird.

    Looking forward to reading about your products and what you think.

    Have a lovely evening and a great weekend ~ FlowerLady

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for this wonderful post, sweet Deborah. I have often thought about getting a silk pillow case...I've heard it's also better for your face :) You are simply the sweetest and I appreciate your posts. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've always thought it was new hair growth that I'm getting around the hairline, so I'm sticking with that :) Enjoy your 'hair adventure' and keep us posted!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dearest Deborah,
    Yay, happy to see my very Mason Pearson brush here and I do have the small one for travels. It sure has helped me in not losing too much hair. One factor you omitted and that's aging... We are not going to have prettier hair but it is key for preserving the natural beauty of our hair. For being able to gracefully age...
    Sending you hugs and sunshine for a lovely weekend!
    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for those helpful tips about hair. I want to try the coconut oil on my hair. Coconut Oil has so many uses. Wishing you luck in this process with your hair. Have a wonderful day and weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I think if you added up the amount of time most women spend thinking about, stressing about, worrying about and generally dealing w/their hair, it probably takes an enormous chunk of time out of our lives.

    I love the path you've chosen, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

    I started getting some gray hairs when I was in my 30s. Because of my coloring (warm), gray does not suit me and never will, so I'm still fighting the good fight to keep my "natural" red. Some day, perhaps, I may just throw in the towel.

    xoxo, M-T

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such commonsense rules here, Deborah. I recently listened to my hair stylist and stopped fighting the curl I was born with. I let her give me a curly cut and I no longer blow dry my hair. And I love it!

    A few years ago I tried the shampoo that Paula Deen recommended and immediately realized that I am not a silver! Her complexion was perfect with that but the platinum look that's my natural type of gray hair looks best on me.

    I have a 20-year old boar bristle hairbrush that I treasure. It's like getting a good massage to use it! I think I might have to try the coconut oil treatment. I use the Renee Furterer little tubes once a week but they're expensive.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Deborah, very good post and I have been wanting a silk pillowcase for a long time but forget to look for them when shopping. I know it really helps when if you like to sleep on your side and concern for face wrinkles. I think the short hair around the hairline is new growth. Thanks for sharing all this info.
    Have a great weekend.
    Blessings, CM

    ReplyDelete
  14. What great tips you've shared, my friend! I really need to try to find a silk pillowcase. I guess it's too late for my wrinkles, but it could help my hair. I can't wait to see your hair color when it's all transformed and I so admire you for it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Whatever it is, it will be beautiful b/c it will be YOU. Wow -- that's a good list of guidelines for hair care. I do use a silk pillowcase. I never, ever blow dry or curl or straighten. Not much hair spray. I do comb out gently when my hair is wet b/c it's longish and takes a long time to dry on its own. Helpful post, Debbie!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Much thanks to you for offering tips for hair growth . I am losing my hairs quick in age of 23 and I know it is a direct result of wretchedness however this hair fall is expanding my despondency considerably more… Well, I am going to apply your suggestive tips. Hope I will recover my hairs.

    ReplyDelete
  17. What the cool thing about going natural and letting it go to silver is that it does not change who you are; your the same person either way...

    ReplyDelete
  18. I think your hair looks really beautiful; YOU are beautiful! I read your don'ts with interest. I MUST have my hot rollers and hairspray. My hair is straight and limp without some help. I do try to be kind to my hair however...

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting! I'm truly delighted to hear from you.