How to reduce hair breakage for black women

How to Reduce Hair Breakage for Black Women

If you're a black woman with hormonal issues such as menopause, stress, or postpartum recovery, you may be dealing with hair breakage. While this can be frustrating, there are some things you can do to help reduce the amount of breakage you experience. In this blog post, we'll share some tips on how to keep your hair healthy and strong.

Black woman holding hair

Use a pre-shampoo treatment once a week.

Using a pre-shampoo treatment on your hair once a week can make all the difference when it comes to combatting heat and chemical damage, improving detangling and reducing breakage. Before your usual shampoo, a pre-shampoo treatment is applied to the hair and ideally left in for an amount of time to penetrate the cuticle. This helps create better, longer-lasting results which will have you feeling fresh with glossy and healthy-looking locks for days. With many products now available on the market specifically designed for this purpose, why not give one a try? You may find yourself pleasantly surprised with the outcome!

Shampoo your hair with lukewarm water and avoid using hot water.

Washing your hair with lukewarm water rather than hot is a simple way to keep your hair looking and feeling its best. The temperature of the water should ideally be comfortable to the touch and no hotter than would be safe for your skin. Hot water can weaken the protective layer of the scalp, leading to irritation and dryness. It can also slowly strip away natural oils present in your scalp, making your hair more brittle and vulnerable to breakage over time. Therefore, washing your hair with lukewarm water is key for maintaining healthy and strong locks.

Be gentle when shampooing and avoid scrubbing your scalp too hard.

Caring for your scalp is an important part of maintaining healthy hair. When shampooing, be sure to use gentle strokes and avoid scrubbing your head too aggressively. While vigorous scrubbing can make you feel as if you have rid yourself of dirt and oils, it can also damage the scalp. Too much scrubbing can tear the delicate skin cells on the scalp, resulting in a dry, uncomfortable feeling over time. To keep your scalp clean and healthy, approach washing your hair in an even and gentle manner.

Condition your hair regularly, using a deep conditioner at least once a week.

Keeping your hair healthy is an important part of personal maintenance. One key way to do that is through regular conditioning, which adds nourishment and hydration to prevent breakage or split ends. A deep conditioner should be employed at least once a week, while more frequent use may be needed for natural or colored hair. Not only does frequent conditioning make your hair shine and look its best, it also helps protect your hair from environmental damage and keeps it stronger for longer. Incorporating the use of a deep conditioner into your weekly routine will ensure you get maximum benefits in beautiful, healthy looking locks.

Avoid using heat on your hair, or use heat protectant products if you must use heat styling tools.

When it comes to heat styling your hair, you should use extreme caution. Overuse of heat styling tools causes damage to the hair cuticles, leading to weakened and brittle strands. The more frequently you expose your hair to the intense heat of such tools, the more likely that you'll suffer from split ends and other forms of breakage and damage. To protect yourself against this problem, consider investing in a good quality heat protectant product—these are designed to reduce the amount of damage produced by hot styling tools so you can less frequently use them without worrying about damaging your locks. Ultimately, if you wish for healthy hair in the long run, it's best to minimize or avoid using heat on your tresses altogether.

Brush your hair carefully, using a wide-toothed comb or brush designed for black hair types.

Woman brushing other woman

Brushing your hair with a wide-toothed comb or brush designed specifically for black hair types is essential to caring for your hair. This type of comb or brush is designed to reduce pull and breakage, ensuring your hair remains healthy and strong. It’s recommended that you use the right tool for detangling before styling to prevent damage. Additionally, always make sure to be gentle when brushing your hair, as too much pulling can harm delicate strands and impede growth. With consistent care and using the appropriate tools, you can look forward to achieving beautiful, healthy hair.


By following these tips and taking the proper steps to care for your black hair, you can keep your hair healthy and looking amazing. Keeping in mind the fragility of black hair will ensure it remains nourished and well taken care of. Be sure to regularly moisturize your scalp, avoid overprocessing chemicals, use pre-shampoo treatments, and lukewarm water for shampooing, condition weekly with a deep conditioning treatment, use heat protection products when necessary, and brush cautiously with a wide-toothed comb or brush designed for black hair types. Ultimately, it is important that you learn the unique needs of your own specific type of black hair so that you can properly tend to its individual needs. With proper knowledge and dedication to these caring practices, you’ll be able to maintain healthy, beautiful black hair!