New Hair Growth Vs. Breakage: How To Tell The Difference
Have you ever wondered why those stray strands of hair appear on your brush or pillow?
It's a common concern many of us face, and the answer lies in understanding the difference between these two hair phenomena--new hair growth vs. breakage. One hair phenomenon can refer to constantly growing fresh hair strands, while the other can result in fragile or damaged strands, leading to issues like split ends.
Thus, recognising its differences is crucial towards healthier, more resilient hair. In this article, we'll guide you through these key concepts, helping you recognise the signs of new hair growth and understand how to tackle hair breakage.
The Difference Between New Hair Growth And Hair Breakage
We all notice those stray strands occasionally, but how can you tell if it's new hair growth or breakage? Hair growth is a natural cycle where your scalp continuously produces fresh strands, such as baby hairs.
In addition, hair breakage happens when strands become weak and brittle, often due to heat or chemical damage. Now, we'll help you differentiate more about these various hair developments, ensuring you can take the best care of your hair.
What Are Baby Hairs?
Baby hairs are those small, fine strands that sit along your hairline and can be seen at the nape of your neck, sideburns, and forehead. Unlike the rest of your hair, they're usually short and have a softer, silkier texture.
They are a natural part of your hair's growth cycle. Some people style these strands to frame their faces, while others prefer to slick them down. Additionally, the texture and appearance of baby hair can change as individuals grow, influenced by hormones, lifestyle, and genetics.
Handling them gently is essential regardless of how you manage your baby hairs, as their hair strands make them more delicate than the rest of your hair. So, when you spot those tiny hairs around your hairline, know that they are a normal part of your hair.
Recognising New Hair Growth
Spotting new hair growth can signify your hair is healthy and flourishing. Often softer and healthier, these new strands might stand out from the rest of your hair.
Thus, maintaining a regular hair care routine is key to ensuring these new strands stay healthy. Here's a simple guide to help you recognise new hair growth:
- Texture and Colour: Notice if the texture or colour of your new hair growth differs from the rest. If you've dyed or treated your hair before, it might look curlier, coarser, or a different colour.
- Short Length: New hair growth usually starts at short strands because it's just beginning to grow from the hair follicle.
- Halo Effect: Look for new hair growth near your hairline, creating a halo-like appearance around your forehead and temples.
- Flyaway Hairs: New hair growth may appear more delicate and stand out from the rest, especially if it's growing at a different rate from the neighbouring strands.
- Different Curl Pattern: If you have curly or wavy hair, you might notice new hair growth has a different curl pattern or wave structure.
- Increased Shedding: Don't be alarmed by a temporary increase in hair shedding as new hair growth pushes out old hair strands.
- Regrowth After Hair Loss: New hair growth can indicate recovery after temporary hair loss, whether due to illness, stress, or postpartum changes.
Understanding The Causes Of Hair Breakage
Hair breakage can be a common concern for many, leaving hair frizzy, coarse, or damaged. This breakage could be due to various reasons, from how you style your hair to the products you use and even how you treat your hair daily.
It's essential to understand what leads to this issue so that you can take steps to protect and strengthen your hair. So, let's explore the causes of hair breakage:
- Hair Products: Certain hair products, like those used for colouring, perming, or relaxing, may contain chemicals that weaken hair, making it prone to breakage. Even some acidity or pH levels of shampoos can contribute to hair becoming brittle or frizzy.
- Over-brushing: Excessive brushing can also cause hair breakage. Remember, you may not need to brush your hair as much as you think.
- Heat Styling Without Protection: Excessive use of heat-styling tools, like flat irons or blow-dryers without proper heat protectants, can lead to thermal damage and visible breakage.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Nutrition plays a vital role in maintaining healthy hair. Deficiencies in essential nutrients can result in weakened, dull, or brittle hair, resulting in hair loss. Foods rich in biotin, like eggs and fish, can promote healthy hair growth.
- Tight Hairstyles: Wearing your hair in tight styles like buns, cornrows, or braids can stretch and break hair away from the root, potentially causing hair loss and may lead to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.
How To Avoid Hair Breakage?
Now that we understand what causes hair breakage, it's time to take action and restore the strength and vitality of your hair. The good news is that hair breakage is temporary, and effective products and home remedies help rejuvenate your hair.
Minimise Use Of Heat Tools
Heat tools can strip away natural oils, leaving your hair vulnerable to breakage. If you're dealing with damaged hair strands, try to lessen the use of the straighteners and curling irons. In addition, when it comes to styling those baby hairs, you can opt for gentle methods like bobby pins or a bit of hair wax.
Do Scalp Massages Regularly
Another way to maintain healthier and new hair growth is to massage your scalp with your fingertips in gentle, circular motions. This can boost blood circulation to your hair follicles, encouraging hair growth.
Protect Your Hair At Night
Treat your hair with care while you sleep. Use a satin bonnet scarf, or switch to a silk pillowcase. This helps reduce breakage and keeps your hair moisturised.
Apply A Home Herbal Hair Growth Paste
If you're up for a bit of DIY, home kits that include all you need to create an herbal paste for your scalp are available. Two Herbs' specially designed home kit includes everything you need to create a nourishing herbal paste.
The herbs are brewed for two hours to extract their rich nutrients, which are then applied to your scalp. This natural approach promotes hair growth and strengthens your hair.
Use A Hair Fall Control Shampoo
A hair fall control shampoo can be a valuable addition to your hair care routine. Such shampoos can address hair issues like thinness, weakness, and limpness. They work by cleansing your scalp effectively, strengthening hair roots, regulating oil secretion, and encouraging the growth of new, healthier hair.
Quality is key when it comes to these products, so ensure you choose a shampoo manufactured to the highest standards for the best results.
Choose The Right Clarifying Shampoo
Maintaining a clean and healthy scalp is essential for promoting robust hair growth and preventing hair loss. A clarifying shampoo can help you achieve this. It effectively removes excess oils and dirt, allowing your hair to grow stronger and minimising the risk of hair loss.
Moreover, some clarifying shampoos can be made free from parabens, sulphates, thickeners, silicon, and artificial colours, making them a trustworthy choice for maintaining scalp health.
Conclusion About New Hair Growth And Breakage
Understanding the difference between new hair growth and breakage is crucial for maintaining healthy, vibrant hair. Whether dealing with new hair growth or breakage, taking the right steps to nurture your hair and scalp is essential.
At Two Herbs, we offer a proven solution to promote hair growth and prevent breakage. Our treatment, with 100% Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs, increases the chances of quick recovery by addressing various scalp issues.
Ayurvedic herbs like shikakai, amla, and bhringraj have a trusted history of solving scalp and hair-related problems, promoting growth, and ensuring healthier hair.
Finding the right hair treatment is essential for tackling hair loss. If you’re looking for natural remedies, our herbal hair loss treatment offer a plant-based approach to healthier hair. For men facing hair thinning, our specialized male hair loss treatment in Singapore can help you regain confidence. Additionally, maintaining a healthy scalp is key consider our scalp treatment for hair loss for the best care.
Ready to take the first step towards healthier, stronger hair? Schedule an appointment with us for a free scalp analysis and discover how Two Herbs can help you achieve your hair goals.
Frequently Asked Questions About New Hair Growth And Breakage
Does New Hair Regrow Every Day?
New hair growth is a continuous process, but its rate varies from person to person due to genetics and overall health. On average, hair grows at approximately 0.3 to 0.4 mm daily, about one-tenth of an inch or slightly more in a week.
Does Colouring Your Hair Cause Breakage?
Hair colouring can lead to hair damage, including loss of strength, reduced thickness, and other side effects. The chemicals in hair dyes can weaken the hair's structure, making it more susceptible to breakage, especially with repeated colouring sessions.
Over time, dyed hair may become fragile, and the colour may also not hold. It's crucial to prioritise hair repair and nourishment when colouring your hair to minimise the risk of breakage and maintain healthy, vibrant hair.
Can Your Hairbrush Cause Hair Breakage?
Using a hairbrush aggressively, even once a day, can lead to hair breakage. Vigorous brushing can damage the hair, causing it to weaken and break.
Choosing a hairbrush with soft bristles or using a wide-toothed comb to detangle hair gently is important, especially when wet and more prone to breakage. Treating your hair carefully during brushing can help prevent unnecessary breakage and promote healthier hair.
Does Hair Breakage Stop Hair Growth?
Untreated hair breakage can have a negative impact on hair growth. When hair strands are damaged and prone to breakage, it can further harm the hair follicles responsible for hair growth. Damaged follicles may result in reduced hair growth and, in some cases, hair loss.
It's crucial to address and repair damaged hair using appropriate hair care products and techniques to support hair growth and prevent breakage. This ensures that your hair remains healthy and continues to grow as intended.
