I battled constant hair breakage for years. My hair felt brittle no matter what products or techniques I tried; it would break off with the smallest tug. There were times when I nearly gave up hope of ever having healthy hair again because it was so frustrating.
However, I found a few things that helped lessen the breakage through trial and error. I experienced my fair share of obstacles along the way, and some strategies were more successful than others. But these encounters gave me insightful knowledge about what my hair actually required.
I’ll discuss both my personal successes and setbacks in the battle against hair breakage in this post, including adjustments that have had a significant impact and errors I wish I could undo. I hope my story can assist you in finding a solution that works for your hair as well, if you’ve been going through something similar.
My victories | My defeats |
Switched to a wide-tooth comb | Used heat styling too often |
Started using leave-in conditioner | Forgot to trim my ends regularly |
Added more protein treatments | Skipped deep conditioning treatments |
Reduced towel drying, switched to air-drying | Brushed my hair while wet |
Increased my water intake | Overused hair dyes |
- My hair
- 2025: the best and worst visual
- 2025: registration on the site
- 2025: a breakthrough in quality
- 2025: what kind of hair is today
- The best against breakage
- Kérastase Resistance Therapiste Bain Shampoo
- Kérastase Resistance Therapiste Renewal Mask
- My impressions
- Pros and cons
- Protection during toning
- What accessories did I refuse
- My wish list
- Video on the topic
- Trichopigmentation. Diffuse alopecia. Rare hair growth. Female alopecia
- After THESE AMPOULES, they began to GROW CRAZILY HAIR⬆️😱🔥
- Hair breakage: causes and how to eliminate it
- What to do if your hair gets dirty quickly
- Mesotherapy of the head. What do you think the result will be?
My hair
For the past year, I have been actively combating hair breakage. However, let’s take a brief look back to see what the hair looked like in the past.
2025: the best and worst visual
Even though I had already been completely blonde for a year, I was quite content with my hair at the start of the year. The length was satisfied with its visual, and the care was primarily mass-market and easiest. There was friability, shine, and an even cut.
And prior to the quarantine, everything was wonderful. Since salons were closed, I made the decision to color my own hair. In this post, I discussed coloring that didn’t work. And I see this as the start of the end at this point.
My hair went from being fairly thick and even to being gnawed. I had recently joined the site, looked through the posts, and was immediately inspired to bring back the previous image.
2025: registration on the site
I was so focused on my work that I failed to notice that my hair had gotten worse. I had been trying to grow bangs for more than six months at that point, and I already had severe brittleness. However, it simply did not grow back! And I was shocked when I chose to view the length from the back. Split ends, broken strands, and ripped cuts. This is how I initially perceived my hair.
And I concluded it was time to create an account on the website. I began purchasing professional hair care products at the same time, primarily Kaaral, even though I had no idea what hair loved at the time. Nevertheless, I was determined.
I ran my first marathon in March, and while I didn’t finish, I did start down the path to recovery. I was thrilled that I also chose to have a keratin straightening procedure. My hair fell in a flawless lay without frizz. I also intended to try the same process again, but it was unsuccessful. I kept taking care of my hair, and the keratin left my hair clean and unharmed.
However, the year proved to be filled with events, and my hair became less noticeable. The fragility did not disappear, but it did lessen; I did not consider what was best for my hair; the care was automatic.
Since I don’t have a picture of my hair from the back taken in the second half of 2021, I’ll just give you a picture that illustrates the state of my hair.
2025: a breakthrough in quality
I went into great detail in this post about this time period. However, I see 2022 as being pretty successful for me. And even though I did a lot of things wrong, I still think it turned out well. This year was the first that I started to take better care of my hair and realized what it needed.
An image of the hair at the start of the year:
Snapshot of hair at year’s end:
I concluded 2022 with this outcome. Additionally, there is a clear difference between the 2021 and 2021 photos—the hair is longer and the cut is thicker. Even though I didn’t like the color at the time, I knew that I could change it in the upcoming year.
2025: what kind of hair is today
I started the New Year off with a successful spring marathon. I also succeeded in getting that perfect color.
I was happy with everything in the visual, but the brittleness persisted. I believed that eventually I would continue to be bald after every hair wash. Too much hair was still in the drain; after drying, the hair spread out like a carpet on the ground. And I was unable to identify my mistakes. Thermal care and restorative masks are what I do. And my hair breaks off—though less so now that I’m using Kérastase heat protection.
I just gave up and told myself that this was how I usually did things. And if I hadn’t purchased two genuinely magical jars, I would have kept thinking that.
The best against breakage
I’d like to share with you the hair purchase that has been the best of the past two years. And this is, naturally, the Kérastase that everyone is familiar with.
Kérastase Resistance Therapiste Bain Shampoo
Description of the manufacturer:
Shampoo for extremely damaged hair Kerastase The purpose of Therapiste is to mitigate the impacts of thermal, chemical, and mechanical harm. It is evenly distributed throughout the length of the strands, enveloping them and preventing damage because of its balm-like consistency. The therapist serves as a restorative element by embedding active particles into the damaged structure to strengthen and compact it. Strands soften, take on a natural sheen, and become manageable. Shampoo helps severely damaged hair by adding elasticity and resilience to the fibers. Curls take on body and appear opulent.
Composition:
Sodium laureth sulfate – coconut – aqua-Betaine Sodium chloride, glycerin, glycol distearate, and amoditethicone Sodium Benzoate, Polyquaternium-6, Dimethicone, PPG-5, Ceteth-20, and Peg-150 Deteriorate – Glycine – Trideceth-6 – Citronellol – Salicylic Acid – Linalool – 2-Oleamido-1,3-Octadecanediol -Benzomer – Arginine – Hydroxypropyltrimonium – Proline – Tyrosine – Glutamic Acid – Geraniol – Serine hydrated Cetrimonium, a wheat protein Chlorine Benzyl Alcohol, Isoeugenol, Trehalose, Safflower Glucoside, and Tamarindus Indica Seed Polysaccharide, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Myrothamnus Flabellifolia Leaf Extract, Parfum / Fragrance
How to use:
Give your hair a good, thorough wet. Using massage motions, apply a small amount of Therapiste shampoo-bath to each of the five main zones. Massage your scalp and hair gently, then give it a thorough rinse. Reapply shampoo if needed, then give it a few minutes. Pour in a small amount of water and mix the mixture until foamy. Give it a good rinse.
I was first enamored with this Kérastase line following Tanya Le fleurs de Lilis’s post. I was drawn to these emerald jars, but I was unable to purchase them for a while because the brand was no longer available in Russia. And I was ecstatic like a kid when I opened the package. Before I even tried the shampoo and mask, the outcome had already won my heart.
And here it is, the first try. The shampoo is similar in texture to a balm, but it foams perfectly, gives a lot of elastic foam. The washing ability is strong, but there is no tangling of hair in the root zone. With repeated lathering a slight creaking sensation is felt in the temporal area. The squeak is not pronounced, more like after using a peeling.
In fact, I think the shampoo should be even softer because I don’t think it overfeeds the root zone. I have a scalp that itches for three to four times a day when I use it nonstop from excessive cleaning. However, the hair itself appears fantastic—it’sshiny,silky, and has plenty of volume.
Kérastase Resistance Therapiste Renewal Mask
Description of the manufacturer:
The SOS remedy is the Therapiste regenerating mask. It fortifies the structure of severely damaged hair that is frequently subjected to harsh environmental factors, such as heat, chemical, and mechanical stress (damage level 3-4). Additionally, the product works well for extremely thick hair that is challenging to comb and style. Your curls are covered by the mask, which affects the shaft’s deep interior as well as its surface. Thick and delicate texture will be provided by economical consumption, and the long-awaited sense of comfort and lightness will be provided by the floral scent.
The maker guarantees that their product will stop breakage and repair severely damaged hair. Perfect for my pale blonde.
Composition:
Water (aqua), mineral oil (paraffinum liquidum), sesame oil (orbignya oleifera), parfum (fragrance), cetyl esters, cetrimonium chloride, caprylyl glycol, linalool, citric acid, dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, Benzyl alcohol, safflower glucoside, isoeugenol, glycerin, trehalose, tamarindus indica seed polysaccharide, citronellol, bht, glycine, arginine, proline, tyrosine, glutamic acid, geraniol, serine, hydroxypropyltrimonium hydrolyzed wheat protein, and myrothamnus flabellifolia leaf extract
The mask’s protein and amino acid content is extremely high.
The juice of myrothamnus is one of the main ingredients.
How to use:
After washing, dampen your hair and place the mask at least 2-3 cm away from the roots. Give your hair’s length and ends extra consideration. Avoiding the roots, massage the product all the way to the ends of your hair. Give it a five-minute run. After adding water and giving your hair a quick massage, thoroughly rinse it out.
Although the mask is quite thick, it is also very cost-effective. I was shocked by such a small consumption because, typically, I use a much larger amount. For my length, I need about a teaspoon.
I hand-squeeze out my damp, clean hair before applying the mask. I apply a tiny amount of the product to my palms before rubbing it into my hair, being especially careful around any damaged ends. The mask covers every hair with such ease that it appears as invisible armor. Usually, the holding period lasts 10 to 15 minutes, no longer.
I well emulsify the mask with water until a soft foam forms before removing it from the hair. And the hair is already starting to get denser and heavier at this point. Additionally, breakage reduces right away following the initial use. The quantity of hair in the drain makes this very evident.
My impressions
I have a thing for this couple. And if I still don’t understand the shampoo, the mask captivated me right away. The hair is dense, thick, and silky after it. Thick and thick hair is the sensation.
As SOS care, my initial plan was to use the products once a week or once every two weeks. However, I chose this approach after speaking with Helen_M and finding out that Kérastase representatives suggest using the mask and shampoo in a course. And for me, it was this use that decreased breakage.
I repeatedly used the mask four times and the shampoo three times. And the hair got better and better with each use. Even the ends started to grow back and become less knotted. Additionally, I selected masks with a moisturizing and nourishing focus for variation based on Helen_M’s advice. Furthermore, the brittleness did not return even though I did not use the Therapiste line. As a result, I think these products will continue to work, but that doesn’t mean the brittleness won’t return if you don’t use a mask.
I’m thrilled to have these wonderful products under my control. They have made me so happy that I can’t even compare them to other products. Everything that a Kérastase Therapiste does, plus a little bit more. With any other product, I have never had such a great outcome.
Pros and cons
The shampoo just got the better of me. I exclusively used sulfate-free shampoos for a very long time, initially due to keratin and then just out of habit. And I didn’t even look at the composition when I bought this one based on a review. As a result, the shampoo first seemed to me to be very cleansing, and my scalp slightly objected. However, the scalp took it very well the last time I used it. And these are the benefits I mentioned:
- Shampoo cleanses very high quality and at the same time very delicate with a length
- Hair is smooth, shiny and there is volume at the root zone
- In my opinion, it prolongs the freshness of the scalp due to SLES
- Economical due to excellent foaming.
Personally, I didn’t see any drawbacks. However, in my view, the shampoo is inappropriate if:
- For natural, undamaged hair, it can hide the volume of the root zone
- If the scalp is sensitive to SLES, then you will need to alternate with sulfate-free shampoos.
Let’s proceed to the mask now. I shared my delights above, and now I’ll share them here, but as a table:
- Very economical consumption, especially when compared with mass-market or budget professional
- Gives a stunning visual. Hair is smooth, shiny, crumbly and dense
- The effect of "a lot of hair"
- Reduces breakage when used in a course
- Hair looks healthier, split ends are hidden and the ends are thickened.
But I did discover a few drawbacks:
- Difficult to find on sale
- Not the most affordable cost.
It makes me so happy that I bought these products. My hair care game has completely improved thanks to this mask. And every ruble I spent on it was well worth it for the way it works on my hair.
Protection during toning
I refrained from using specific products to add to the coloring mixture for a very long time. Of course, I tried a few of the products in this segment, but I didn’t add anything to the toning because I didn’t notice a difference in the quality of my hair after coloring. For deep care, I also bought Qtem Color Bomb ampoules. However, I felt let down in this situation. After the ampoule procedure, I was expecting a gorgeous, silky canvas of hair, but instead I got dry, fluffy hair that was hard to style.
Even though the hair appears well in the picture, it was incredibly dry to the touch and challenging to comb. I did not use these ampoules, so I set them aside for that reason. When I had to tone my hair for the second time in a week to fix a poorly done coloring, that’s when I remembered about them.
And this is where the ampoules really came into their own. The toning is softer, but they have no effect whatsoever on the color of the hair. There is no dryness and the hair is smoother and easier to manage. I notice that the hair is less damaged with consistent toning.
What accessories did I refuse
Description of the manufacturer:
Tangle Teezer A professional hairbrush made in the UK is called the Original Panther Black. designed by renowned British stylist Sean Palfrey, who has over thirty years of industry experience. The Tangle Teezer Original’s ergonomic design makes combing wet or dry hair simple. The teeth’s distinct structure allows the comb to glide over hair smoothly without causing any harm or damage. The comb gives the hair a shiny, healthy appearance and makes it silky and smooth. Ideal for all hair types. Measurements: 11.5 x 6.5 x 4.5 cm
I gave up on Tangle Teezer The Original Panther Black, and I regret it. Despite what the manufacturer says, the comb does not, in my experience, glide smoothly through hair. I find that there are more broken hairs when using TT than when using Janeke. TT also constantly scratches my scalp. However, this comb carefully and swiftly untangles knots.
I can’t say that this comb is poor either. It simply didn’t work with my hair right now. Perhaps I’ll be able to use it again when my hair improves in quality.
I gave up using elastic bands as well. My hair was severely damaged by them, so I now only purchase silk or fabric accessories.
My wish list
Although I have a much longer wish list, I only selected items that will assist me in this challenging situation because we are discussing the battle against brittleness.
Thus, the primary goods I intend to purchase are:
- K18 leave-in molecular repair hair mask – it"s just a hit. There are reviews on our website, and many stylists praise this product. And, of course, I want to try this product.
- Olaplex hair perfector no.3 – also a very famous product. I have been looking at him for a very long time and I hope that it will still be able to purchase it in the near future.
- Tangle Teezer easy dry&go – after Mashulya"s post Magnay, I began to think about buying TT. Although I have a great brush from Olivia Garden, I began to worry that it also affects hair breakage.
When I reflect on my quest to lessen hair breakage, I see that a combination of trial and error has been involved. While some methods and products lived up to the hype, others performed wonders. However, I’ve learned what my hair needs and shouldn’t do thanks to this process.
The greatest triumph was realizing how important gentle handling and moisturizing were. My hair’s strength and general health have significantly improved as a result of giving it more attention throughout the process, from washing to styling.
But not everything went as planned. Throughout the process, I made mistakes like overusing heat tools and neglecting routine trims, but these failures gave me invaluable insight into patience and consistency.
Ultimately, developing healthier habits was more important for reducing breakage than searching for a magic product. Although it takes constant work, the rewards of stronger, healthier hair are priceless.
I finally found small adjustments that truly helped after years of battling annoying hair breakage, such as using a wide-tooth comb, switching to a silk pillowcase, and using heat styling more gently. Even though I initially struggled to find the right products, among other setbacks, these little victories eventually resulted in stronger, healthier hair.