What's wrong with my hair? Breaking off (pics included )

[boyff]

I use protein twice a week on it
Does it need more protein treatments or moisturising conditioner?
Help
It's so brittle

I'm booked in at the hairdressers in two weeks so I'll tell them just to get rid of the dead hair
Just doing my roots too

Good plan, I'm sure it'll help.

I agree, twice a week is way too much protein, it will make your hair brittle. Lots of people make this mistake, thinking that a protein treatment is just a deep conditioner. It will make your hair hard and it will just snap. Once a month is about right.

Having said that, it does look like your hair would also benefit from a good old chop!

That needs a good trim.

You will look great once the dead ends are gone. It's the best move as I don't think anything else will improve the straggly bits. Best of luck with the cut.

You could..... show a before and after pic too!

The mask I was using was redken extreme
As well as using it twice a week I was leaving it on overnight (my hairdresser said it was fine )

Yy. Cut it slightly above your shoulders, get the worst of the damage off. Then treat it very, very gently.

Olaplex!!!!

@boyff sounds like a plan! a few other things which might help keep it in better condition.

Silk cap and or silk pillowcase for sleeping (this keeps the moisture in and limits breakage).

Try loose (silk hair ties) protective styles are night as well, eg looseish plaited pigtails not tied too tightly at the bottom.

During the day try not to have hair exposed to sun and wind for too long, hats and protective styles are your friends

Get a good scalp treatment, healthy scalp, healthy hair.

Avoid direct heat styling as much as possible, maybe work with your hairdresser to get a cut you are happy to wear natural/with minimal styling (this can take a few gos)

Philip Kingsley elasticizer is great get a big bottle of this if you can afford it. I think original is best

last (and worst of all)- avoid bleach altogether. I’m not saying it’s impossible to keep hair healthy when it’s bleached but it’s definitely not easy, hard enough to keep it healthy without colour when it’s long. Could you give your hair “seasons” so it gets a break occasionally?

Olaplex is not some miracle. No product can repair extremely damaged hair, it's just throwing money down the loo.

No but it will improve

Stop with any bleaching. Have it cut. Grow out all the bleach and start again. I have heavily bleached hair and do this every few years as your hair just can't take it forever.

Mine went like this during menopause. I also spent lockdown with it a bobble which made it snap. Eventually I got a good cut, lots of olaplex and my looks really healthy now

You shouldn't be doing protein so often. That's a once a month or bi-monthly thing.

You need to stop and get moisturising....

OP it does sound like you’ve overdone it with the protein.

damage can appear well after, weeks down the line. Conditioners scaffold the problem until it’s too late.

if you like Kerastase , go with their nutritive or reconstructive mask. I swap between them both, have done for over a year. I have bleached hair and I never, ever double process it.

Olaplex is not a miracle and can only do so much. You’re best asking for the salon service - everything else is weaker. Their shampoos etc is shit - don’t even bother, it’s highly diluted.

you might not have to lose a lot of length, speak to your hairdresser.

At the minute I'm scared to even brush my hair because strands are falling out
This is how it looks from the front

Do you use heat on your hair at all?

What are your thoughts on all the advice people have given you?

I would have the trim you have planned then regularly use an intensive conditioner (something like elasticizer) don't use heat (if you do) and perhaps regularly oil the very ends with a light oil.

@HardRockOwl I've just ordered some products that's been mentioned
Going to trim as much of the dead hair off too and have put the protein products in the bin

@ArabeI not really
Let it fry naturally and only curl it for nights out
Don't straighten it and use high end heat protection spray

@premiumwine I only did 1 strand as advised to check if snapped or stretched to check for protein /moisture etc

Can you wash your hair less often? With bleached hair it should only really be washed once - twice a week.

I only wash twice a week
Wednesday
Sunday

I honestly think I've fried my hair using the protein mask
I'm hoping to bring it back to life with lots of moisture

Yes to the age - in menopause your hair can get to an awful state.

Redken Cat products are great for weakened hair.

I'd be protecting it in the sun, get a good cut/trim. Stop protein. Use heat sparingly if at all.

I've also found if you use a clarifying shampoo this helps with product build up.