Why is my hair so fragile? Why does my hair seem to break off and not grow long?

There are a number of causes for fragile hair. The ones addressed here are forms of hair shaft abnormalities which may result in patches of hair loss i.e. alopecia.

Beaded Hair or Monilethrix

This form of hair fragility is usually inherited dominantly. If one examines the strands of hair one sees a pattern of thick areas followed by thin areas repeated all along the strand of hair. The hair tends to break off at the thin areas. This gives the impression that the hair never seems to grow. This is first observed in infancy when the hair present at birth is replaced with beaded hair at about three months of age.

This condition may range from being very mild where there appears to be no loss of hair to severe where there is almost total loss of hair. Along with the hair fragility children may also have nail disorders such as brittle nails, eye disorders such as cataracts and decreased vision and abnormal dentition.

Bubble Hair

This disorder is usually seen in young women. They notice that certain localized areas of their hair are shorter than the rest of their hair. If one examines the hair shaft of the shorter hairs one sees what appears to be bubbles within the strand of hair. The hair breaks at the large bubbles.

Bubble hair occurs when wet hair is exposed to hot blow dryers, electric curlers, hot irons and hair straighteners. The heat causes water that is trapped in the strands of wet hair to form bubbles. The hair shaft breaks where the bubbles form.

Bubble hair can be treated by cutting away the damaged hairs and avoiding exposure to high heat after wetting the hair.

Bamboo Hair or Trichorrexis Invaginata

Bamboo Hair is associated with an inherited disorder known as Netherton syndrome. This condition appears in infancy. The hair on the scalp and eyebrows appear short and sparse. If one examines the hair shaft it looks like a ball in a socket or a bamboo shaft. The hair breaks at these fragile points.

Twisted Hair or Pili Torti

Pili torti can be inherited or acquired. In both forms the strand of hair appear flat and twisted about 180 degrees creating three to ten twists per strand. The hair breaks at the turning points.

The inherited form may only involve the hair or may be a characteristic of a number of syndromes. This form may appear in early childhood as sparse hair or during puberty where the hair appears brittle. This form may improve with time.

The acquired form can be due to malnutrition, a medication or inflamed hair follicles. This form may be reversed if the reason for the condition is removed or treated.

Broom Hair or Trichorrhexis Nodosa

Trichorrhexis nodosa can be inherited or acquired. In both forms the hair splits at a weak point resulting in two ends that look like brushes or brooms.

The inherited form may just involve the hair or my be a characteristic of a number of syndromes.

The acquired form is the result of constant trauma to the hair. One’s beard may show signs of this condition from wearing masks. Frequent brushing, chronic rubbing or exposing the hair to high heat can result in this form of hair fragility. Removing the cause results in restoration of the hair.

Tiger Tail Hair or Trichothiodystrophy

Trichothiodystrophy is a sulfur-deficient hair disorder which is inherited  autosomal recessively. If one examines the hair shaft under polarized light one sees stripes or light and dark bands in the hair strands resembling a tiger’s tail.

There are nine different genetic variances associated with this hair condition. The hair remains affected throughout life.