Habits That Might Be Breaking Your Hair (and What to Do Instead)

When you’re dealing with hair thinning, especially during perimenopause, it’s not just about what’s happening inside your body. It’s also about how you treat the hair you still have.

Fragile, thinning strands can be easily damaged by daily habits most women don’t think twice about. As a trichologist and hair loss specialist in Buford, I often see breakage on top of shedding, which makes hair loss look and feel worse. The good news? Small changes in your routine can make a big difference.

Why Thinning Hair Is More Fragile

When follicles miniaturize under the influence of DHT, stress, or nutritional deficiencies, the new hairs they produce grow in finer and weaker. These fragile strands can’t withstand the same friction, heat, or handling that thicker hair might.

That’s why protecting your existing hair is just as important as working on regrowth. Think of it like tending a delicate silk fabric, it requires a gentler touch.

Common Habits That Break Fragile Hair

1. Sleeping with Wet Hair

Going to bed with wet hair weakens strands. As you toss and turn, the friction against your pillow stretches and snaps them. Over time, this leads to breakage, frizz, and the illusion of even more thinning.What to do instead: Wash earlier in the day, or use a quick-dry microfiber towel and let hair air-dry before bed.

2. Aggressive Brushing

Yanking a brush through tangles causes mechanical breakage, especially at the ends. On already fragile hair, this damage adds up quickly. What to do instead: Detangle gently from the ends up using a wide-tooth comb or detangling brush, ideally on damp hair with a leave-in conditioner.

3. Rough Towel Drying

Rubbing hair with a cotton towel creates friction that lifts the cuticle and weakens the shaft. What to do instead: Switch to a microfiber towel or soft cotton T-shirt. Blot and squeeze. NEVER RUB.

4. Wind and Friction Damage

Long car rides with the windows down, scarves rubbing at the nape, or even frequent ponytails can erode fragile strands. What to do instead: Use protective styles (like loose braids), satin pillowcases, and silk scrunchies to reduce wear and tear.

5. Heat Styling Overload

Flat irons, curling wands, and high-blast blow dryers break down keratin bonds inside the hair. Thinning strands are less resilient and show damage faster. What to do instead: Embrace lower-heat styling or air-drying. Always use a heat protectant if you must style.

Why These Habits Matter More in Perimenopause

During perimenopause, hormonal changes make hair weaker at the root but visible thinning is often made worse by external breakage. Many women think their hair loss is accelerating, when in reality, fragile hairs are simply snapping before they have a chance to grow out.

By adjusting your daily habits, you not only protect the hair you have but also create the foundation for regrowth treatments to be more effective.

Trichology Tips for Protecting Fragile Hair

At Scalp Garden Buford, I coach women on both advanced treatments and everyday care. Some of my top tips:

• Gentle tools: Use wide-tooth combs, boar bristle brushes, and silk scrunchies.

• Protective fabrics: Sleep on a silk pillowcase to reduce nighttime friction.

• Mindful styling: Rotate styles, avoid tight elastics, and embrace low-manipulation looks.

• Hydration and scalp care: Products that balance scalp health (like Cult+King Tonik) also improve how hair handles daily stress.

Local Perspective: Buford & Gwinnett

I’ve met many women in Buford and across Gwinnett County who come to me worried their shedding is “getting worse.” Once we assess, it often turns out much of what they’re seeing is actually breakage. Damage from styling habits that can be corrected.

That’s empowering news, because breakage is preventable. By shifting daily routines, you can protect your strands while working on long term regrowth strategies.

Final Thoughts

Hair loss can feel overwhelming, but you have more control than you think. By treating thinning hair like the fragile fabric it is, you’ll protect your existing strands and give your scalp treatments the best chance to succeed.

If you’re in Buford or Gwinnett and want to understand what’s breaking your hair (and what can be done about it) book a Know Your Roots session at Scalp Garden. Together, we’ll create a plan that supports both your scalp and your daily habits.