Hair breakage may result from which of the following actions?

Hair breakage often occurs when the hair is subjected to excessive stress or damage. Pressing hair too often falls into this category, as it involves the use of high heat, which can weaken the hair shaft over time. Frequent application of heat, especially when not using protective measures, can lead to dehydration of the hair and ultimately make it brittle. This brittleness is a key factor that contributes to breakage.

In contrast, using a wide-tooth comb is generally seen as a gentle method for detangling hair, which can actually help prevent breakage by reducing tension and pulling on the strands. Similarly, applying heat protectant before styling serves to shield the hair from thermal damage, making it less prone to breakage. Washing hair too frequently can lead to dryness if the natural oils are stripped away, but this does not directly result in breakage as much as other factors might. Therefore, regular heavy pressing is a significant contributor to hair breakage.