How to Prevent Natural Hair Breakage

It's a winter wonderland outside — but unfortunately, even with holiday cheer and snow abound, this time of year wreaks havoc on natural hair.

Winter sucks the moisture out of our curls and coils, leaving hair dry, brittle, and susceptible to breakage. So for your winter hair routine, it needs to be all about hydration. Moisturized strands leads to flexible, buoyant hair that is less likely to experience breakage. That's why ensuring you are using products that fight dryness of your scalp and lock in moisture will help your hair flourish in the cooler months.

"Breakage happens when the [hair] cuticle has been damaged," explains pro hairstylist Madison Dufour. "Once the cuticle has been cracked and damaged to that degree, there is no reversing it."

Dufour, along with former Bumble and Bumble product development manager and founder of Allyoos, Samantha Denis share the best tips to avoiding hair breakage this winter.

Secure Your Hair Higher Than Your Neckline

Believe it or not, your winter style can be causing breakage to your hair.

"When coat collars are high, scarves are on, and hair is down, our hair is wrestling with the wind and fabric of what we're wearing," explains Denis. In other words, your hair is getting tangled, matted, and knotted when it rubs against clothing, which can lead to breakage. So instead of letting your 'fro out, die your hair up, and if it's hiding under a hat, protect with a silk or satin lining.

Don't Overdo It With Ponytails

Tying your hair too tightly, especially when it's wet, can lead to breakage.

"Hair has a fluctuating level of elasticity that changes when it is wet or dry. If the strand is stretched too tightly when wet and forced to dry, it damages the elasticity and weakens the cuticle by stretching it," explains Dufour. Be mindful of hairstyles like high ponytails and overly tight large braids that can cause tension on the scalp and stress on the hair follicles.