If you are suffering from brittle hair then it’s important to look after it very carefully to prevent breakage and loss.

Brittle hair can be a combination of dry, dull, frizzy, broken hair, split ends, shedding and lackluster locks. It's similar to dry skin in that it has a spectrum of levels, from mildly dull to full-blown breakage. One characteristic of brittle hair is spongy hair – hair that looks spongy and tangles when wet.

Reasons

• Side effects of certain medications

• Illness or disease, such as overactive or hypoactive thyroid gland

• Excessive sun exposure

• Chlorine from swimming pools or sun

• Overuse of hair products or salon treatments

• Poor diet

• Medical conditions

Tips for dealing with your brittle hair

• Food. Increase your protein levels to ensure that keratin levels are kept high as they are responsible for hair growth.
• Water. If you are dehydrated then this will result in dry hair and skin. Drink more water, as much as 8 glasses a day which will re-hydrate your scalp as well as ensure that your follicles receive vital nutrients.
• Massage. Give your scalp a quick massage as this will improve blood circulation in that area.
• Ask your doctor about certain meds you may be taking as brittle hair may be a side effect.
• Treat a possible medical condition that causes brittle hair
• Wear a swimming cap and rinse your hair out regularly in clean water.
• Limit usage of chemical treatments on your hair
• Be careful when washing your hair, as it is most fragile when wet.
• Wash it once a week and keeping rinsing off to a minimum.
• Use a mild shampoo specially formulated for dry/brittle hair.
• Use a conditioner but only one that can be left on the hair for a long period of time.
• Choose oils which contain banana or coconut as these are ideal for strengthening your hair.
• Make sure your hair is completely dried before brushing or combing out any tangles.
• Avoid using a hairdryer, curling tongs or straighteners

If none of this works or you want further advice then speak to a trichologist.