What Leads to Hair Thinning at the Ends?

Thick and full hair is every girl’s dream, but when your hair starts thinning out, especially at the ends, it will make you ask yourself why this is happening. The answer is that brittle and dry hair leads to thinning at the ends.

Brittle hair is made up of split-ended, frizzy, dry, dull, and lusterless hair, and its appearance differs from full-and healthy hair.

Reasons for Hair Thinning at the Ends

These are some of the reasons for hair thinning at the ends.

1. Continuous use of heat styling tools

One of the ways moisture escapes from your hair is by evaporating and turning into steam. When you wash your hair, it returns to its natural state as moisture is restored.

Using hot tools (1) or equipment to style the hair is a very common practice. Although you may look beautiful after hair styling, the impact of these devices is negative. It makes your hair dry, thin, damaged, and prone to breakage too.

For instance, straightening irons remove all the moisture from the hair to straighten it. (2)

2. Overshampooing the hair

Overwashing your hair might lead to dry hair ends. Shampooing your hair every day may not be suitable for your strands. (3)

While shampoo helps eliminate dust and dirt and cleanses the scalp properly, excessive washing of the hair is not advisable. It strips the natural oil from hair strands and makes hair dry, which leads to weak and thin hair at the ends.

3. Not detangling the hair before shampooing

Detangling before shampooing will ease the knots formed in your hair. It is difficult to detangle hair when wet, and it’s also unsuitable as it is in its most fragile state and can break easily.

To easily detangle hair, divide your hair into four parts and comb it out gently before washing it. Gently massage your scalp with shampoo to stimulate blood circulation, which can help decrease hair fall and prevent clogging of pores.

4. Underlying causes

Dry and brittle hair is treated by finding out the underlying cause, which can be psoriasis, thyroid issues, etc. (4) Also, different hair therapies, including natural products, can help treat the condition.

It is also beneficial to take care of your hair through regular oiling, applying hair masks, etc., so the hair can be kept healthy and strong.

5. Poor nutrition

A diet lacking in vitamins and protein may make the hair dull, dry, and brittle. (5)

If your diet consists of only bad fats and sugar, your hair may not get the nutrients needed to grow well. Poor nutrition does not only make hair brittle, but it may also lead to breakage and fall.

Therefore, you must consume a balanced diet and eat foods rich in vitamins C, A, D, and E for healthy hair.

6. Excessive hair bleaching

Bleach reacts with the pigments in the hair in a chemical process called oxidation, which leads to the removal of the hair’s natural color, rendering it colorless. Excessive bleaching might lead to hair loss that leads to hair thinning at the ends. (6)

One study found that the properties of bleached hair, such as elongation and tensile strength, were different from those of untreated hair. Also, bleached hair suffered from accelerated photodamage when compared to virgin hair. (7)

7. Using low- or bad-quality hair dyes

Dyeing the hair weakens it. Semipermanent and permanent hair coloring products contain ammonia and peroxide. The ammonia swells and opens the hair’s cuticle, permitting the peroxide and dye to get inside, leading to color change. These openings are closed partially when a pH-balancing conditioner or color-stopping shampoo is used.

This process of hair coloring makes the hair weaker and more porous, resulting in thinning at the ends. (8)

Remedies for Hair Thinning at the Ends

To save your hair from thinning at the ends, try these measures.

1. Fenugreek hair mask

Here is a simple way to use fenugreek seeds for hair growth:

1. Soak 1 tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight or for 12 hours.
2. The following day, put it in a grinder to make a paste. You can add a little water to make it a thin paste. If you have dandruff, you may also add yogurt. Mix the ingredients well.
3. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp and along the length of the hair. Give your scalp a gentle massage.
4. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
5. Wash it off with lukewarm water.
6. Repeat the process twice weekly for at least a month to see desired outcomes.

2. Oil massage

Nowadays, more people are turning to traditional hair oiling to look after their hair and prevent hair thinning. Dermatologists are getting many queries about the types of oils that are beneficial for the hair and how to use them. (9)

Here is a simple method to infuse your scalp with nourishing oils to encourage healthy hair growth.

1. Heat a mixture of oils that includes 1 tablespoon each of olive oil, castor oil, and coconut oil in a pan.
2. Massage your scalp with this oil concoction in a circular manner.
3. Cover your hair with a damp towel.
4. Leave it on for 1 hour.
5. Wash your hair with regular shampoo.
6. Repeat this process twice a week for best results.

Precautions to Prevent Hair Thinning

• Always apply heat protectants before using heat styling tools.
• Deep conditioning once a week by applying a leave-in conditioner is crucial.
• Use a hair mask if you have long locks. It offers an extra boost to your hair by providing it with nutrition and hydration.
• After hair washing, it is best to air-dry rather than rub your hair with a towel.
• Avoid excessive combing of your hair. Rough and extra combing of the hair can damage the hair cuticles, resulting in hair thinning.
• Trim your hair often as it helps in the growth and thickening of the hair. Hair ends may have been weakened and need to be cut off. (10)

General Queries Related to Hair Thinning

Final Word

There are many reasons for thinning of hair at the ends. Usually, this issue is temporary and can be resolved with simple lifestyle changes. Seeking medical help is also a great option.