Hair Breakage At The Crown: Causes And How To Fix

Hair breakage at the crown is more common than on any other area of your head. This is where hair follicles undergo a lot of tension. The hair strands undergo a lot of stress and are very dry and brittle on the scalp. But worry not, as this condition can be reversed most often. This article explores the causes of hair breakage at the crown, how to identify it, and some tips for possibly reversing it. Keep reading to know more.

Causes Of Hair Breakage At The Crown

1. Sectioning Your Hair

The way you part your hair can cause breakage at the crown. Every time you style your hair, you split your hair into sections, and your hair is being pulled down and away from the crown. The repeated tension on the hair follicles in this area could eventually lead to hair breakage. Even using a pick to fluff your hair on the crown area for volume can lead to breakage.

Try periodically switching the sides you part your hair. Also, be sure to incorporate protective styles into your hair care regimen.

2. Insufficient Moisture

One common cause of hair breakage is lack of moisture. Most people forget their crown area when their hair is braided up or pulled back in style. But it is important to pay attention to this area to avoid breakage. The crown area has high porosity. Hence, section it out and moisturize it daily to keep your hair soft and supple.

The hair on the crown area is drier and coarser than the rest of the hair. Hence, it has more difficulty retaining moisture. This leads to breakage. The crown area is exposed the most to the environment, and lack of proper conditioning can cause hair breakage. Using alkaline shampoos can also cause dryness and frizz and cause breakage (1).

Apply an extra amount of your moisturizing (thicker and creamy) product to your crown section.

3. Hairstyle That Is Too Tight

Tight ponytails, or pulled-back hairstyles like puffs and hair buns, can cause hair breakage at the crown. These hairstyles put a lot more stress on the hair follicles. Constant tension and manipulation of the same areas on your scalp can also lead to breakage. Constantly picking the hair at the crown of your head for volume can also cause breakage.

Quick Tip

Use scrunchies and silk hair ties instead of rubber bands to tie your hair. This will reduce the overall tension along the hairline and prevent hair breakage.

4. Excessive Heat Styling

The crown of our head is the most exposed part and is often the very first area to get dried out. It can receive a lot more heat from heat-styling tools like dryers. The heat-styling tools with high-temperature settings can cause hair breakage. If you are blow-drying your hair, make sure its roots are protected from excess heat. Remember to use the cool-shot setting.

Make sure your dryer circulates heat well and that you can adjust your heat settings as needed.

5. Chemical Hair Treatments

Opting for chemical hair treatments frequently can also lead to hair breakage at the crown. The chemicals in relaxers and colors can weaken the hair shaft and cause hair breakage. Regular use of chemical hair straighteners may also lead to hair loss (2). One of the main reasons your hair is prone to breakage is that these chemicals strip your strands of moisture, making them dry and brittle. Other strong-hold chemicals in hair products and your immediate environment, like chlorine in swimming pools, can damage hair. Hence, you need to use hair products with moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil and coconut oil to replenish the lost moisture and strengthen your strands. Avoid products with parabens and sulfates and adhere to a regular hair care routine to achieve shiny, healthy locks.

Lesley, a blogger, spoke about the different causes of hair breakage such as rough handling, tight hairstyles, combing wet hair, and chemicals. She said, “Of course, there are other ways that breakage can occur but these are the main ways I’ve noticed (i).”

How To Identify Hair Breakage At The Crown?

• Thinning Of Hair

Have a close look at the crown of your head. Are the hair strands on your crown shorter than those on the other parts of your head? Do you notice any thinning or balding on your crown? These are signs of hair breakage at the crown. The tapered and weak hair strands lead to breakage and eventually lead to hair thinning.

• Soreness

Soreness on the crown is another sign of hair breakage. This soreness could be caused due to the tension placed on your follicles. The sores can also result from pulled-back hairstyles that create stress on your scalp.

Why Does Your Crown Area Have Different Porosity?

The crown area gets exposed to more heat from the sun daily. This constant heat exposure could increase porosity and cause hair damage. High porosity is also caused by heat damage from blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons. Frequently moisturizing your hair is key.

Hair breakage at the crown can get embarrassing if not addressed in time. We have discussed a few tips that can help with the same.

Tips For Repairing Hair Breakage At The Crown

• Trim Your Hair

There is no point in letting those split ends and broken hair strands stay at the crown of your head. Trimming your hair is the best way to deal with breakage. It also encourages healthy hair growth.

Quick Tip

Trim a quarter-inch of your hair every 12 weeks to prevent split ends and hair breakage for optimal hair maintenance and hair health.

• Regular Spa Massages

Massaging your scalp helps stimulate blood flow that also may promote hair thickness, and growth (3), (4). Add to the massage a hair oil that contains ingredients beneficial for hair growth and moisture. For added benefit, you can also dilute essential oils of lavender or peppermint in carrier oils like almond, coconut, or grapeseed oils.

The survey had a total of 340 respondents, which accounted for 17.9% of all the people who took part. Out of those who completed the survey, 327 individuals, representing 17.2% of the respondents, stated that they had tried standardized scalp massages (SSMs). Among the SSM participants, the majority (68.9%) reported that their hair loss either stabilized or showed signs of regrowth. The participants engaged in SSMs for an average of 6-7 months, dedicating 11 to 20 minutes each day to these massages. The amount of time spent on massages daily, the duration of the massages in months, and the overall effort invested in massaging are calculated by multiplying the daily minutes by the number of months and were all positively related to how the participants perceived changes in their hair. On average, 68.9% of participants noticed improvements in their hair after approximately 36.3 hours of massaging effort. In other words, 7 out of 10 people showed hair growth and reduced hair fall.

Separate your hair into smaller sections when applying products to ensure all of your strands are getting their share of moisture and/or protein. Remember to use hair styling products that are moisturizing and easy to distribute from the roots to the ends.

• Get A humidifier

The sudden transition in temperatures can zap moisture from your tresses in winters. A room heater can provide warmth when the temperature drops. But it can also dry the air inside your room, damaging your hair. The crown is more likely to dry out first. A humidifier helps balance the moisture levels inside a room and prevent this dryness.

• Use Satin Pillowcases

Cotton pillowcases can make your hair messy and tangled in the mornings. But satin and silk fabrics are soft and cause less friction. Opting for satin and silk pillowcases will help keep your hair healthy(5). These materials also prevent split ends and tangled hair.

Infographic: Effective Tips To Fix Hair Breakage At The Crown

Factors like the use of heat styling tools or tight hairstyles along with excessive hair treatments can cause hair breakage at the crown. To help you out, we have rounded up the most effective tips you should start practicing right away to make your hair happy and healthy. Check out the infographic below to know more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my hair separate into sections at the top?

Khamis Maiouf, a hair stylist, says, “Your hair might be separated into sections at the top due to a number of factors. It could be caused by using products that are too heavy, using too much heat, or using the wrong type of brush. It could also be caused by a lack of hydration or a lack of natural oils in the scalp.”

What is trichonodosis?

Maiouf says, “Trichonodosis is a condition that affects the scalp and causes the hair to break off in patches or clumps. It is caused by a type of fungus that grows on the scalp and can be triggered by stress, poor nutrition, hormonal changes, and other environmental factors. It is usually treated with medicated shampoo and topical creams.”

What vitamin is good for hair breakage?

Vitamins C, D3, and B7 (biotin) can improve your hair health, making your tresses strong. Vitamin C increases collagen production, vitamin D3 increases keratin production, and biotin stimulates healthy hair growth.

Does brushing hair cause breakage?

Yes, brushing your hair too much or too vigorously can cause hair breakage. Using the wrong brush for your hair type may also cause hair breakage, especially in curly hair. If you don’t brush your hair regularly, knots can form in your hair. Your hair may break or split when trying to untangle these stubborn knots.

How long does it take for hair breakage to stop?

If you are taking the right precautions and using the correct products, you should begin to see some minor improvement in your hair texture in 2-3 months. You may notice a reduction in hair breakage in 6-8 months.

What foods help hair breakage?

You should eat foods like whole grains, leafy greens, fruits, vegetables, and nuts that are filled with proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that improve your hair’s health and make it stronger. Avoid fat-heavy and sugary foods.

How can you tell the difference between hair breakage and hair loss?

Hair loss occurs at the root or hair follicle. Hair breakage occurs anywhere along the hair shaft.

Does stress cause hair breakage?

Yes, stress may cause hair loss and breakage. Some people deal with obsessive habits arising from stress and anxiety. These obsessive habits may cause them to pick at their hair, leading to hair breakage. Stress can also impact your hair health, causing your tresses to thin out, leading to reduced elasticity and hair breakage.

Can lack of vitamin D cause hair breakage?

A vitamin D deficiency may cause the hair strands to thin out, which can lead to hair breakage.

Can hormones cause hair breakage?

Some hormones (like dihydrotestosterone) may cause a deterioration in hair health, leading to hair thinning, breakage, and loss.

Are you struggling with hair breakage at the crown? Learn how to stop it and keep your hair healthy by checking out this video.

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Dr. Shruti ChavanMBBS

Dr. Shruti Chavan is a consulting dermatologist at Dr.Sheth's Skin and Hair Clinic since 6 years. She is a co-committee member of CDSI (Cosmetic dermatologist Society of India). She is highly skilled in non-surgical facial skin rejuvenation and face lift by the use of injection treatments and lasers.   Dr. Chavan is well-versed with dermatological and aesthetic procedures. Her special...more

• Khamis MaioufHairstylist

  Khamis Maiouf is a professional hairstylist with over 20 years of experience. He helps his clients achieve consistently attractive haircuts, discover the coolest hairstyles, and find the best hair products.
  
  Khamis Maiouf is a professional hairstylist with over 20 years of experience. He helps his clients achieve consistently attractive haircuts, discover the coolest hairstyles, and find the best hair products.

Arshiya SyedaSenior Editor

 

Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care. She holds a bachelor's degree in literature and psychology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a post-graduate diploma in psychological...more

Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal. She also did a certificate course in dermatology offered by the Novosibirsk State University...more

Medha DebCommerce Editor

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest...more