Excessive Heat = Trichorrhexis Nodosa

I know it can be tempting to blow dry if you co-wash and air dry. I know I always feel like plugging in that bad boy because air drying is too time consuming. After a bit of research, I found a good reason not to. To the left is a picture of a hair strand that's been damaged at the cortex. This damage is also called Trichorrhexis nodosa. It's caused by excessive use of overheated dryers, excessive use of chemicals, and aggressive hair brushing/combing. It can make our hair appear as if it's not growing.

Symptoms

• lack of apparent hair growth
• hair appears "patchy"
• hair breaks close to scalp
• hair may have thickenings/nodes in the shaft
• thin or split ends
• whitish discoloration of hair ends
• ends of hair breaks easily

To treat the damage, hair should be brushed gently, conditioned frequently, and use of chemicals should be limited. Gentle shampoos should also be used. And hair should not be ironed frequently.