Kim Kardashian West's Hairstylist Told Us How to Stop Breakage Once and for All

From split ends to fuzz around the hairline, breakage is a sign that hair needs a little—or a lot of—TLC. Pretty much everyone has experienced this hair concern at some point or another, so there are tons of products out there to help. We enlisted none other than celebrity hairstylist and NatureLab Tokyo brand ambassador Andrew Fitzsimons, go-to guy for the Kardashians, Adriana Lima and other A-listers, to help explain what exactly causes hair breakage to occur, how to prevent it, and what to do when it inevitably happens.

"We may not realise it, but we put our hair through a lot of damage with everyday pollution, chemical treatments and the use of hot tools,” explains Fitzsimons. "Lack of moisture and excessive sun exposure can also lead to breakage,” he adds. In other words: Some factors are unavoidable, but others are more under our control—at least to some extent. Of course, the longer hair is, the more likely it is to break or have split ends. 

How can I prevent breakage?

If you’re a fan of curling irons or other tools, remember to use protective products—and to take a break now and then. "You can prevent breakage by spraying on heat protection before using any hot tools, and by minimising your use of them,” Fitzsimons says.

UV Protectant Spray

Heat Protectant

My hair officially has breakage. Now what?

Shave your head and start from scratch. Kidding! Focus on deep hydration to help rectify the damage. "The best way to treat breakage is to use a weekly hair mask or deep treatment,” recommends Fitzsimons. "Personally, I’ve been using NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Repair Masque since going platinum a while back,” the hairstylist says.

Repairing Mask

Also, remember that not all shampoos and conditioners are created equally; look for formulas that nourish and strengthen hair from the root.

Strengthening Shampoo

Strengthening Conditioner

When in doubt, go in for a trim—your hairstylist can snip off damaged ends so hair looks and feels healthier.

More Products That Help Prevent Breakage:

Silk Scrunchies

Gentle Hair Brush

Hair Towel

Expert Tools

Silk Pillowcase

Freelance Contributor

Lindy Segal is a freelance writer, editor, and content strategist based in New York City. She's originally from Atlanta, but she's sorry to report she doesn't have an accent. However, she does still have her taste for carbohydrates, love of losing sports teams, and fear of driving during rush hour. She's been in editorial for over eight years as a social media manager and writer covering beauty, fashion, and lifestyle at Glamour and People. Most recently, she was the women's editor at Express. These days, in addition to Who What Wear, you can see her byline at places like Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Ipsy, and WeWork. Both a skincare obsessive and a minimalist, she keeps her routine short, sweet, and effective—and she doesn't go a day without sunscreen. She's also deeply passionate about sustainability, and she strives to recommend products she truly believes are worth the investment. When she's not writing about the best and brightest beauty finds, she can usually be found hunting for vintage and secondhand treasures, attempting to find zen at a yoga class, bingeing Bon Appétit YouTube videos, or napping under her weighted blanket.