Remedies for Hair Breakage: 9 Proven Ways to Strengthen Fragile Strands

Hair breakage is a significant obstacle to achieving long, healthy hair. It can affect anyone, even when practicing good hair care—moisturizing, using natural products, and avoiding heat—yet strands may still snap mid-shaft or fail to grow past a “stuck zone.”

Breakage is distinct from shedding. Some shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle—hair falls out at the root, complete with a white bulb, at a rate of about 20–100 hairs per day. Breakage, in contrast, happens mid-shaft or at the ends. You’ll know you’re experiencing breakage if you see shorter, brittle strands in your brush without a root bulb.

The good news? Breakage doesn’t mean your hair isn’t growing—it simply means you’re losing length due to strands snapping. Your growth may still be healthy and rapid, but strand retention is compromised.

This guide will explore the proven remedies for hair breakage—natural, effective methods to address root causes and restore both strength and length from scalp to ends so you can finally grow past your “stuck zone.”

Why Hair Breaks—and How to Stop It

Before jumping into solutions, it’s essential to understand what breakage is—and how it differs from shedding.

Breakage vs. Shedding

Shedding is part of the natural hair growth cycle. A shed strand will have a white bulb at the root, indicating it detached from the follicle. Breakage, on the other hand, happens mid-shaft or at the ends, often due to external damage or internal weakness.

Top Causes of Hair Breakage

• Dryness – Dehydrated strands are more prone to snapping.

• Over-manipulation – Tight hairstyles, constant brushing, and friction.

• Product overload – Buildup from silicones, sulfates, and alcohol weakens hair over time.

• Heat damage – Flat irons, blow dryers, and curling tools rob hair of moisture and elasticity.

• Poor diet or stress – Hair is often the first place the body reflects internal imbalance.

Understand Your Hair’s Elasticity

Healthy hair stretches slightly when wet and returns to its original shape. If it breaks while stretching, it likely lacks moisture. If it stretches too much and becomes gummy, it likely needs more protein. Finding a balance between protein and moisture is key to preventing breakage.

Best Natural Remedies for Hair Breakage

These nine remedies for hair breakage are rooted in time-tested traditions and offer a minimalist, natural approach to restoring strength, resilience, and length. By focusing on gentle practices and whole-ingredient treatments, you can reduce breakage and support long-term hair health.

Oil Infusions: Castor, Olive, and Jojoba

Oiling is one of the most effective remedies for hair breakage.

Castor oil is rich in ricinoleic acid and acts as a moisture-sealing agent, helping reduce protein loss and friction-related damage. Olive oil penetrates the hair shaft, softening brittle strands and restoring suppleness. Jojoba oil closely mimics the scalp’s natural sebum and is ideal for daily hydration of dry ends.

Use these oils as part of a weekly overnight pre-wash soak, applying generously to the scalp and hair. Throughout the week, a few drops of jojoba oil on the ends can help maintain softness and prevent split ends.

Clay Washing Instead of Shampoo

Traditional shampoos—especially those containing sulfates—can strip hair of its natural oils and weaken the cuticle over time. As a natural alternative, clay washes like rhassoul offer gentle cleansing without disruption to the hair’s moisture barrier. Rhassoul clay also supports scalp clarity, reduces buildup, and enhances volume and shine. Rhassoul clay also strengthens the hair strand itself, reducing the chance of breakage over time.

Once a week, cleanse the scalp and lengths using a diluted clay wash. Follow with a light conditioner, a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse, and a final cold water rinse to smooth the cuticle and lock in hydration.

For my personal Rhassoul Clay Wash Recipe, click here.

Protein: Internal Strength for Breakage Resistance

When it comes to natural remedies for hair breakage, don’t overlook what’s happening beneath the scalp. Hair is made almost entirely of keratin—a protein your body produces from amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Without enough of the right building blocks, strands become weak, brittle, and prone to breaking long before they grow long.

A diet rich in high-quality protein (like eggs, fish, beans, lentils, and red meat) supports strong hair from the inside out. But internal nutrition isn’t the only way to boost protein pathways—targeted topical ingredients can help too.

That’s why my Herbal Hair Growth Oil includes specific ingredients to help your body maintain healthy keratin structure. Key ingredients in the formula are chosen specifically for their role in strengthening strands and encouraging protein synthesis:

• MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) – A bioavailable sulfur compound that helps support keratin and collagen production, both vital for hair structure.

• Amla – Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which help protect the follicle and assist in collagen support.

• Fenugreek – A plant high in plant-based protein and nicotinic acid, known to strengthen roots and reduce thinning over time.

• Coconut and Olive Oil – Penetrate the strand and help prevent protein loss during washing or daily wear.

Together, these ingredients support your body’s natural ability to build stronger strands, reduce breakage, and retain length. To learn more about how my Herbal Hair Growth Oil aids in all 3 stages of the hair growth cycle, click the link below.

Herbal Hair Growth Oil 100ml

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Finger Detangling

When it comes to detangling, less is more. Using your fingers instead of brushes or combs allows you to feel and gently separate knots without tearing through them. This tactile approach reduces unnecessary tension on the strands, especially for textured or curly hair types prone to breakage.

Detangle hair while dry, using light oil for slip. Work from the roots to the ends, isolating and loosening tangles gradually with minimal friction. For more details, read my post about Historical Hair Detangling.

Silk Wraps at Night

Friction during sleep is a major cause of breakage, especially on cotton pillowcases. Wrapping your hair in a silk or satin scarf—and using a silk pillowcase as backup—helps preserve moisture, reduce tangling, and minimize mechanical damage.

Braid hair loosely before bed, apply a bit of light oil if needed, and wrap securely to keep strands protected through the night.

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinses

An apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse is a simple but effective way to restore the scalp’s pH and smooth the hair cuticle. This leads to less frizz, more shine, and improved resistance to breakage.

Mix 2-4tbsp ACV with 2 cups of filtered water and pour over the hair after conditioning. Leave on for a few minutes, then rinse with cold water to seal the cuticle.

Avoiding Heat and Harsh Products

Hot tools, sulfates, drying alcohols, parabens, and chemical treatments are all known to compromise the structure of the hair shaft. Over time, they cause dryness, loss of elasticity, and increased breakage.

Replace synthetic products with natural, botanical alternatives like Rhassoul clay wash and apple cider vinegar rinses previously mentioned, and avoid all forms of heat styling. Air-drying, gentle detangling, and low-manipulation styles offer far better long-term results.

Proper Hydration and Diet

Hair is made primarily of keratin, a protein that depends on a steady intake of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. A diet rich in protein, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids supports strong strands from the inside out. Adequate water intake also ensures that the scalp stays hydrated and the hair remains supple.

Scalp Massage

Scalp massages increase circulation to the follicles, supporting nutrient delivery and encouraging healthy growth. Incorporating essential oils like peppermint or rosemary into your massage can further stimulate the scalp and reinforce overall scalp health.

Massage the scalp gently for several minutes a few times a week, ideally while applying your oil blend as part of a pre-wash routine.

The Long Game: Habits That Heal Over Time

While quick remedies for hair breakage offer immediate relief, the foundation for lasting improvement is built on healthy, consistent routines that honor gentle, protective care.

Protective Styling

Protective styles such as loose buns, low-tension braids, or twists help reduce breakage by shielding ends from friction, weather, and everyday wear. Studies show that when executed properly—avoiding tight roots and heavy accessories—protective styles help retain length and protect fragile strands.

Make sure to alternate styles and gently untwist to avoid tension-related breakage or traction alopecia.

Routine Trimming

Regular “micro trims” are a practical remedy for hair breakage. By removing split ends every 8–12 weeks (or as needed), you prevent splits from moving up the shaft and causing more damage. Keeping the ends fresh encourages healthier-looking growth and helps maintain even length. Make sure if you are doing this yourself, that you are using a high quality, sharp pair of hair cutting scissors. I have a video all about this to learn more. 

Stress Management

Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can prematurely shift hair follicles into the shedding phase (telogen effluvium) or worsen breakage through hormonal imbalance.

To protect hair quality, adopt stress-reduction practices like regular sleep, exercise, meditation, journaling, or aromatherapy. These habits support not only mental well-being but also contribute to stronger, more resilient hair.

FAQ

How fast can I reverse hair breakage?

It depends on the extent of the damage. With consistent use of these remedies for hair breakage, most people can expect to see noticeable reduction in breakage within 4–6 weeks, as the hair shaft responds to improved care. Severe damage—such as from chemical treatments or chronic heat—may take 3–12 months to restore strength, often requiring proactive trimming along with gentle routines.

To speed up the process, consider checking our my Herbal Hair Growth Oil, specifically formulated with 14 proven, natural ingredients that reduce breakage, heal the scalp, and revive dormant follicles.

Can breakage happen even with “natural” products?

Absolutely. “Natural” isn’t always safer if used incorrectly. Overloading with protein-heavy masques, using essential oils undiluted, or applying heavy oils like castor too frequently can lead to dryness, brittleness, or follicle blockage—all contributing to breakage. Always patch test, dilute oils properly, and rotate treatments based on your hair's changing needs.

Do I need to trim  my hair if it’s breaking?

Usually, yes. Once you spot visible split ends or mid-shaft breakage, trimming is recommended. Split ends cannot repair themselves and, without careful trimming (every 8–12 weeks), splits can worsen and travel up the strand. A small trim not only removes damaged parts but also promotes healthier overall hair appearance and retention. See my hair trimming video for more info.

How to Get a Head Start on Length Retention

Retention is the cure for breakage, but that's only one piece of the puzzle...

To grow your longest, thickest, head-turningest hair ever, you also need:

• To prime your scalp for growth (otherwise thinning starts)

• To revive your dormant strands (otherwise the thinning stays for good)

After these two steps are taken care of, that's when length retention truly starts to show.

That's why I created a 14-ingredient, slow-infused, hand-made formula that accomplishes all 3 steps of the hair growth cycle at once:

Priming the scalp, encouraging new growth, and retaining length.

Using this forgotten recipe not only helped me grow past my shoulders for the first time in my life, but a few years later my hair is down to my tailbone and still growing!

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