Repairing Damaged Hair: What to do and the best products to help damaged hair
Damaged hair is a common problem that can be caused by a variety of factors, such as heat styling, coloring, and environmental exposure. If your hair is damaged, it may be dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. In severe cases, damaged hair can result in hair loss. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to repair damaged hair and restore its health and shine.
What is hair damage?
Hair damage refers to any harm or damage that occurs to the hair shaft or cuticle. The hair shaft is the part of the hair visible above the scalp, while the cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair shaft. When the cuticle is damaged, it becomes rough and frayed, leading to dry, brittle hair that is prone to breakage.
There are several different types of hair damage, including:
Dryness: This occurs when the hair lacks moisture and becomes dry and brittle. Dryness can be caused by a variety of factors, which include environmental factors such as heat, cold, and wind, as well as chemical treatments and heat styling.
Split ends: These are small splits or frays at the hair shaft’s ends. Split ends occur by dryness, heat styling, and chemical treatments.
Breakage: This occurs when the hair shaft breaks off or becomes damaged, resulting in thin, weak, and unhealthy-looking hair. Breakage can be caused by a variety of factors, including dryness, chemical treatments, heat styling, and mechanical damage such as brushing or brushing.
How does hair damage occur?
Several factors can contribute to hair damage, including:
Environmental factors: Exposure to heat, cold, wind, and UV rays can all contribute to hair damage. This can strip the hair of moisture and cause the cuticle to become rough and frayed.
Chemical treatments: Hair dyes, relaxers, and other chemical treatments can damage the hair by altering its structure and stripping it of natural oils.
Heat styling: Heat styling tools such as curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers can cause damage to the hair by drying it out and causing the cuticle to become rough and frayed.
Mechanical damage: Brushing, combing, and styling the hair can all cause mechanical damage. Especially if the hair is wet or tangled damage can occur.
What can you do to prevent or repair hair damage?
There are several things you can do to prevent or repair hair damage, including:
Use a deep conditioning treatment: Deep conditioning treatments can help to restore moisture to the hair and repair the cuticle.
Avoid heat styling: If possible, try to avoid heat styling tools as much as possible. If needed, use them in a low-heat setting.
Use a heat protectant: If you do need to use heat styling tools, make sure to use a heat protectant to help protect the hair from heat damage.
Avoid chemical treatments: Chemical treatments such as hair dyes and relaxers can be harsh on the hair and should be used sparingly.
Use a wide-tooth comb: When combing or brushing the hair, use a wide-tooth comb to avoid causing unnecessary damage.
Going in-depth with repairing damaged hair
The first step in repairing damaged hair is to identify the cause of the damage. If you regularly use heat styling tools, such as curling irons or blow dryers, try reducing your use of these tools or using a heat protectant spray before styling. If you color your hair, be sure to use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner to help protect your hair from damage. And if you live in a dry or cold climate, consider using a humidifier in your home to help add moisture to the air and prevent your hair from drying out.
Shampoo I recommend:
Best shampoo for color treated hair: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo for Dry, Color-Treated Hair. I also recommend the conditioner as well from this line. Both are $35 each at Sephora.
Ulta offers a travel sized kit for $25 that includes both the shampoo and conditioner. It also includes a leave-in spray detangler and hair spray.
Other shampoos and conditioners I love and recommend:
- Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo ($26) and Conditioner ($26)
- Ouai Detox Shampoo ($30) – My favorite clarifying/detox shampoo!
- Kristin Ess Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo ($13)- My recommendation for a more affordable clarifying shampoo
Nourishing from the inside-out
Once you’ve identified the cause of your damaged hair, the next step is to nourish it from the inside out. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals can help support the health of your hair. In particular, make sure you’re getting enough protein, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients are essential for healthy hair growth.
Taking extra care of your hair with treatments
In addition to nourishing your hair from the inside, you can also use external treatments to help repair damaged hair. Deep conditioning treatments can help moisturize and strengthen your hair.
- My ultimate hair mask recommendation is the K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask. At $75 a bottle, it is pricey but I think it works better than Olaplex (which I do like but prefer K18 more). I generally use this once a week, sometimes once every two weeks so a bottle does last a long time for me.
- Another ultimate recommendation for a hair mask is the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Hair Mask ($39). This may be my favorite hair product and definitely one I recommend over and over. There are some great hair masks out there that I love, but Briogeo always beats them out for me. It truly is the creme de la creme.
- For a more affordable option, I highly recommend Sauce Beauty Guacamole Whip Hair Mask ($9.99). It’s my top pick for a more budget-friendly hair mask because it’s definitely a high-quality product. I was a bit skeptical at first because something about “guacamole whip” feels like it would smell funky but it’s actually minty. The scent is pretty pleasant! If you have Sally’s Beauty nearby, you can purchase it there. They have a sale every once in a while where select items are buy 4 for $20 and this is one of the items that qualify for the sale. However, it’s a pretty popular item at my store so it’s generally sold out during the sale.
There are also some simple things you can do to help prevent further damage to your hair. For example, avoid using hair elastics that are tight or have metal parts, as these can cause breakage. Instead, opt for soft, fabric-covered hair ties or clips. And be gentle when you brush or comb your hair, as tugging or pulling can cause damage.
My favorite products for gentle hair care:
- Slip Slipsilk™ Scrunchies ($39 for a pack of 6)- While these silk scrunchies are a bit more on the pricey side, I prefer these over the ones you can pick up at TJ Maxx’s or Marshalls. That’s because they don’t stretch out like those ones do. However, if the ones you can get at TJ Maxx are more within your budget, definitely pick those up!
- Grace Eleyae The Original Slap | Satin Lined Cap ($22 for a 2 pack)- I wear a satin lined cap at night to help prevent frizz and friction that can happen when you sleep. It’s definitely a lifesaver for fresh hair, helping to prolong any styling.
- Sonvera Boar Bristle Hair Brush ($17.85)- So much yes! My favorite hair brush! If you love someone, get them this! LOL
Conclusion: Repairing Damaged Hair 101
Hair damage is a common concern that have a variety of different factors, including environmental factors, chemical treatments, heat styling, and mechanical damage. Repairing damaged hair can take time and patience, but with the right approach, you can restore its health and shine. By identifying the cause of the damage, nourishing your hair from the inside, using external treatments, and practicing preventative care, you can help your hair recover from damage and maintain its healthy appearance.
Until next time,
Disclaimer: This blog post is NOT sponsored. All opinions expressed are my own. This post does contain affiliate links. This means if you purchase something from a link provided in this post, I make a small commission. That commission goes back into running this blog. So I appreciate your support!
