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Breaking hair is when the strand breaks off in the middle. Numerous factors can cause hair to break, including dryness, damage from heat or chemicals, and friction from clothes. Some protective hair styles for black women can minimize and hide the breakage. A trim removes damaged ends to start over with healthier hair.

Chignon Bun

Pull your hair into a high or low ponytail and secure it with a soft ponytail holder without metal. Separate the hair into sections, roll the hair with your fingers to create a curl, and secure it near the base of your ponytail with a bobby pin. Continue until all your hair is up. Add accessories to make this style more interesting. Hair isn't left hanging loose to rub against your clothes and dry out. Add moisturizer to the ends of the hair before creating the chignon and it will stay moisturized all day.

Braid Out

Braid the hair while it is wet or damp. After gently detangling it with a wide tooth comb, part and braid your hair according to how you want the waves to fall. For small waves, create multiple small braids; for larger waves, fewer braids. Place a mesh or magnetic roller on the end of the braid for a small bend on the ends of hair. Either air dry, sit under a hooded dryer or sleep on it. This will allow the hair to be set in a wave pattern. When your hair is completely dry, use your fingers to style your hair. This style helps hair that is breaking due to excessive heat, as it requires no direct heat to style. At night cover hair with a satin bonnet. In the morning just fluff it and apply a moisturizing serum to revive the shine.

French Braids

French braids are braids made close to the scalp. Section hair neatly, and separate each section into three parts. Begin braiding, and each time you cross under with the middle section of hair pick up additional hair. When complete, the braid will lay flat against your head. French braids can be thick, thin, and with additional hair added. This style can last 2-3 weeks which reduces daily manipulation of hair. This is a very protective style as long as the braids are not too tight, and moisturized daily.

Wet Roller Set

Do a roller set on wet hair that has been washed and conditioned. Gently detangle it with a wide-tooth comb and apply leave-in conditioner. Part your hair and place the rollers according to the style you want to wear. Roll your hair using mesh rollers and secure the roller with hair pins, or magnetic rollers with hair clips. Each section of hair must be smooth before rolling. Sit under a hooded dryer for 45 minutes, or until hair is completely dry. You can use your fingers to style your hair and avoid stress from a comb. A wet roller set avoids the direct heat from a flat iron and curling iron. Cover your hair with a satin bonnet at night.

Short Cut

Consider a short cut like a pixie cut or a short bob done by a professional stylist. A pixie cut is shorter on the sides and the back, with a little more length on top. A bob hair cut is typically cut even all around your head near chin length. A bob can be asymmetrical, longer in the front and shorter in the back, for more style. Moisturize regularly. A short cut gets rid of damaged and breaking ends.