Is It New Growth or Breakage?

How to Tell the Difference (And What to Do About It)

If you’ve ever noticed short, fuzzy strands sticking up around your crown or hairline and wondered, Is this exciting new growth or frustrating breakage? you’re not alone.

This is one of the most common questions stylists get, especially from clients who’ve recently made changes to their routine like adding supplements, heat styling more frequently, or switching products. While we always want to celebrate new growth, it’s important to understand how to tell the difference so you can care for your hair the right way.

Let’s break it down.

New Growth vs. Breakage: What’s the Difference?

1. Look at the Location

New Growth: Most often starts at the hairline, temples, or part line and grows straight out of the scalp. These hairs tend to be tapered at the end because they’re coming in fresh from the follicle.
Breakage: Typically appears more randomly across the head, especially on the crown or ends of long strands. Broken hairs are often scattered and may be jagged or blunt at the tips not naturally tapered.

2. Check the Texture

New Growth: Feels soft and downy, especially when it first emerges. It usually follows your natural hair pattern and becomes easier to identify over time.
Breakage: Feels coarse, dry, or brittle. These strands often feel rougher because they’ve been weakened from heat, color, or mechanical stress (like tight ponytails or brushing too hard).

3. Consider Your Routine

If you’ve recently skipped heat protection while blow-drying, or your leave-in conditioner has been missing from your routine, those hot spots (especially on the crown or near the face) may be signs of heat-induced breakage.
On the other hand, if you’ve been consistent with a supplement like Goldie Locks® Hair Growth + Hydration Formula for several months and see a uniform halo of baby hairs along your part, chances are it’s new growth.

A Styling Solution, Meet FlyAway Fix

Whether you're managing the excitement of new growth or the frustration of breakage, FlyAway Fix is your new must-have styling hero.

This pliable, hydrating pomade stick was created to make styling easier not harder. Designed with washability in mind, it gives you flexible control without buildup, stiffness, or stickiness. It's the quick fix for taming frizz, laying edges, and smoothing down any rogue strands whether they’re coming in fresh or hanging on post-stress.

What makes it different?

Hydrating without heaviness: Moisturizes without flattening fine hair.
Portable + clean: Glides on easily and washes out effortlessly.
Effortless control: Gives you polish and shine without that hard, greasy finish.

Don’t Guess Assess

Knowing the difference between new growth and breakage helps you adjust your approach whether it’s adding more hydration, protecting from heat, or simply being more gentle with your styling tools. And in the meantime, FlyAway Fix has you covered.

After all, every strand deserves care, whether it’s just arrived or needs a little extra love.