Causes Of Hair Breakage At The Crown
1. Sectioning Your Hair
The way you part your hair can cause breakage at the crown. Every time you style your hair, you split your hair into sections, and your hair is being pulled down and away from the crown. The repeated tension on the hair follicles in this area could eventually lead to hair breakage. Even using a pick to fluff your hair on the crown area for volume can lead to breakage. Try periodically switching the sides you part your hair. Also, be sure to incorporate protective styles into your hair care regimen.
2. Insufficient Moisture
One common cause of hair breakage is lack of moisture. Most people forget their crown area when their hair is braided up or pulled back in style. But it is important to pay attention to this area to avoid breakage. The crown area has high porosity. Hence, section it out and moisturize it daily to keep your hair soft and supple. The hair on the crown area is drier and coarser than the rest of the hair. Hence, it has more difficulty retaining moisture. This leads to breakage. The crown area is exposed the most to the environment, and lack of proper conditioning can cause hair breakage. Using alkaline shampoos can also cause dryness and frizz and cause breakage (1). Apply an extra amount of your moisturizing (thicker and creamy) product to your crown section.
3. Hairstyle That Is Too Tight
Tight ponytails, or pulled-back hairstyles like puffs and hair buns, can cause hair breakage at the crown. These hairstyles put a lot more stress on the hair follicles. Constant tension and manipulation of the same areas on your scalp can also lead to breakage. Constantly picking the hair at the crown of your head for volume can also cause breakage. Try fluffing with your hands or a wide-toothed comb that can take on denser roots. Try different hairstyles to minimize this issue.
4. Excessive Heat Styling
The crown of our head is the most exposed part and is often the very first area to get dried out. It can receive a lot more heat from heat-styling tools like dryers. The heat-styling tools with high-temperature settings can cause hair breakage. If you are blow-drying your hair, make sure its roots are protected from excess heat. Remember to use the cool-shot setting. Make sure your dryer circulates heat well and that you can adjust your heat settings as needed.
How To Identify Hair Breakage At The Crown?
Thinning Of Hair
Have a close look at the crown of your head. Are the hair strands on your crown shorter than those on the other parts of your head? Do you notice any thinning or balding on your crown? These are signs of hair breakage at the crown. The tapered and weak hair strands lead to breakage and eventually lead to hair thinning.
Soreness
Soreness on the crown is another sign of hair breakage. This soreness could be caused due to the tension placed on your follicles. The sores can also result from pulled-back hairstyles that create stress on your scalp.
Why Does Your Crown Area Have Different Porosity?
The crown area gets exposed to more heat from the sun daily. This constant heat exposure could increase porosity. High porosity is also caused by heat damage from blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. Frequently moisturizing your hair is key. Hair breakage at the crown can get embarrassing if not addressed in time. We have discussed a few tips that can help with the same.
Tips For Repairing Hair Breakage At The Crown
Trim Your Hair
There is no point in letting those split ends and broken hair strands stay at the crown of your head. Trimming your hair is the best way to deal with breakage. It also encourages healthy hair growth.
Regular Spa Massages
Massaging your scalp helps stimulate blood flow that also may promote hair thickness, and growth (2), (3). Add to the massage a hair oil that contains ingredients beneficial for hair growth and moisture. For added benefit, you can also dilute essential oils of lavender or peppermint in carrier oils like almond, coconut, or grapeseed oils. Separate your hair into smaller sections when applying products to ensure all of your strands are getting their share of moisture and/or protein. Remember to use styling products that are moisturizing and easy to distribute from the roots to the ends.
Get A humidifier
The sudden transition in temperatures can zap moisture from your tresses in winters. A room heater can provide warmth when the temperature drops. But it can also dry the air inside your room, damaging your hair. The crown is more likely to dry out first. A humidifier helps balance the moisture levels inside a room and prevent this dryness.
Use Satin Pillowcases
Cotton pillowcases can make your hair messy and tangled in the mornings. But satin and silk fabrics are soft and cause less friction. Opting for satin and silk pillowcases will help keep your hair healthy(4). These materials also prevent split ends and tangled hair. What vitamin is good for hair breakage? Vitamins C, D3, and B7 (biotin) can improve your hair health, making your tresses strong. Vitamin C increases collagen production, vitamin D3 increases keratin production, and biotin stimulates healthy hair growth. Does brushing hair cause breakage? Yes, brushing your hair too much or too vigorously can cause hair breakage. Using the wrong brush for your hair type may also cause hair breakage, especially in curly hair. If you don’t brush your hair regularly, knots can form in your hair. Your hair may break or split when trying to untangle these stubborn knots. How long does it take for hair breakage to stop? If you are taking the right precautions and using the correct products, you should begin to see some minor improvement in your hair texture in 2-3 months. You may notice a reduction in hair breakage in 6-8 months. What foods help hair breakage? You should eat foods like whole grains, leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, and nuts that are filled with proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that improve your hair’s health and make it stronger. Avoid fat-heavy and sugary foods. How can you tell the difference between hair breakage and hair loss? Hair loss occurs at the root or hair follicle. Hair breakage occurs anywhere along the hair shaft. Does stress cause hair breakage? Yes, stress may cause hair loss and breakage. Some people deal with obsessive habits arising from stress and anxiety. These obsessive habits may cause them to pick at their hair, leading to hair breakage. Stress can also impact your hair health, causing your tresses to thin out, leading to reduced elasticity and hair breakage. Can lack of vitamin D cause hair breakage? A vitamin D deficiency may cause the hair strands to thin out, which can lead to hair breakage. Can hormones cause hair breakage? Some hormones (like dihydrotestosterone) may cause a deterioration in hair health, leading to hair thinning, breakage, and loss.
