Everything your Clients Need to Know About Micro-Breakage

Invisible to the eye, your clients can be suffering from micro-breakage – causing their hair to break and snap at the ends, and in turn disrupting growth – without realising. Which is why we spoke to two hair experts about what you should be telling your clients.

What is micro-breakage?

Micro-breakage is damage throughout the hair that cannot be easily noticed or seen. “Over time if not treated, this damage can build and lead to weakened and more fragile,” Sophie Benson, Head of Education at Keune, tells us. “We all have clients complaining that their hair doesn’t grow past a certain length,” says Paul Paterson, Medusa. “It’s not that it’s stopped growing but it could be put down to micro-breakage.”

The breakage can be caused by a number of factors including heat styling, brushing, and chemical processing. “Sleeping with damp hair, vigorously towel drying hair when wet, along with poor quality accessories, sun damage, and over styling, can also contribute,” says Sophie.

The effects of micro-breakage on hair

As a result, hair can become thin and fine at the mid-lengths and ends, where hair is healthier at the root, the damage causes the hair to break as it grows. “Clients may see this when hair looks see through at the baseline or the ponytail becomes thinner over time,” Sophie tells us. “Tell clients to look out for hair on their clothes – if they see short hair on their clothes, this could be where the hair has snapped off where it’s delicate.” Clients will notice their hair may be dull, feeling and looking dryer, rough and tangly to touch.

What to tell your clients

If you believe your clients may be suffering with micro-breakage, it’s important to give them advice to give the hair the tender loving haircare it needs. “Clients who are experiencing micro-breakage should attend the salon regularly for a haircut every six to eight weeks to take care of those ends,” Paul says. But also use regular treatments. “At Medusa, we use Wella Lipid Booster, which can be done during a salon visit as a treatment or as a take-home product,” Paul tells us. “It helps create new bonds within the hair, strengthening the hair, by creating a barrier to help prevent further damage.” Heat defence spray is also a must. “This will prevent any further damage from blow-drying and styling.”

Furthermore, Sophie recommends advising clients to brush their hair starting at the bottom and working their way up loosening knots and tangles as they go. “Using serums and oils on mid-lengths and ends of the hair both wet and dry will also help seal the hair and prevent further damage.”

Micro-breakage may be invisible to the naked eye, but by giving your clients the right advice and treatments, they’ll soon be on their way to breaking through the barriers and owning the luscious locks they’re after.