Book Series: Hair growth and break points

"[Break point] The point at which your hair always breaks is the point at which you may need to change your routine....Think back to the longest your hair has ever grown.  Even if your hair is still at this length, if it doesn't grow any longer this is likely to be your break point."

Excerpt is taken from Chicoro's book titled, Grow It! (Copyright 2009 by Chicoro)

When I read about this "break point" my jaw dropped.  I was quite fascinated with the idea.  I thought to myself..."OH MY GOSH, so my hair grows fast and quite easily until it reaches a break point.  This explains EVERYTHING!!!"  I definitely over-dramatized the point, but, regardless, this idea of a break point is interesting.

Although I have no scientific proof, I do believe I have experienced this in my own personal hair growth.  My hair has always grown to my shoulders with no extra care necessary. Coincidentally, it has never grown more than 1" past my shoulders.  I used to think that this was where my hair just stopped growing (LOL, I laugh at the thought of this now).  However, now I believe this point to be the place where my hair needs some extra TLC.

Chicoro goes on to explain that individual break points vary AND that individuals may have multiple break points.  She says to combat the break points by considering modifying your hair routine and to fortify the ends of our hair!

What do you think about this "so-called break point?"  Have you noticed this with your hair?

For more information on Chicoro and her book, visit her website: http://www.beautifybitbybitgi.com/.

2 comments:

  1. Interesting I have just (one second ago) commented on Chai's blog (back to curly) about trimming. I think I will do a post on this too!

    Chicoro is right, the break point she is referring to is what is known as the critical length. This is the length beyond which the hair will not appear to gain length. Why? The cuticle layer at the ends of the hair will have thinned down and the hair is much more susceptible to breakage.

    In essence at critical length, speed of hair breakage = speed of hair growth.

    Overcoming this point requires a trim (to ensure the ends of hair are thicker). After that, you need to be more gentle and try not to handle the hair too roughly.

    This is from Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists pg 155-175, 1978

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  2. Thanks Jc, I was hoping you would follow up with your usual scientific support for the claim! I never thought about this though but it's definitely important to know as you move through your hair journey.

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