6 Ways To Repair Damaged Hair, According to Experts

Revive your lackluster hair once and for all with these expert tips.

Damaged hair can be a troubling concern for many, but restoring your locks to a healthy state with the right approach isn't as impossible as it seems. From styling to our lifestyle habits, our hair undergoes a lot, especially when considering heat styling, chemical treatments, and inadequate care. The aftermath often reveals itself in unfavorable cries for help, split ends, dryness, breakage, and a lack of shine.

The silver lining? Haircare experts have curated many remedies— from simple habitual alterations to expert-recommended treatments—that promise to turn your hair's health around with patience and consistency. Before delving into these solutions, it's imperative to discern the extent of damage your hair has undergone.

How Do You Know If Your Hair Is Damaged?

Identifying hair damage early on is crucial as it allows for timely intervention to restore health to your mane. Here are some signs that may indicate your hair is damaged:

• Dryness: If your tresses feel more akin to straw, with a rough, dry texture, it's a red flag indicating a severe lack of moisture. Over time, ignoring this could lead to further damage, such as breakage (more on that in a second).

• Dullness: When your hair is damaged, it loses its shine, looking lackluster and dull. This dullness can often be a tell-tale sign that your hair is missing vital nutrients or has a buildup of hair products from styling.

• Breakage: If your hair seems to snap and break at the slightest touch, this excessive breakage is a common sign of weakened, damaged hair cuticle.

• Excessive Shedding: Shedding a few strands is a natural part of the hair growth cycle. Yet, if you notice a significant increase in the number of strands falling out, it's a clear indicator that your hair is damaged and in need of some serious attention.

• Split Ends: When inspecting your hair closely, you might notice the ends looking frayed, like the ends of a used broom. This splintering of the hair shaft is a definite cry for help.

• Tangles and Knots: Healthy hair should be easy to comb through, but damage can cause a tangled mess, leading to further damage as you try to detangle it (particularly if you don't correctly detangle your hair).

• Lack of Elasticity: One of the marvels of healthy hair is its ability to stretch slightly and return to its original length without breaking. If your hair breaks easily when stretched, it's demonstrating a lack of elasticity, which often occurs when hair's health is compromised.

• Itchy Scalp: Though not technically directly related to actual strands, an itchy or irritated scalp can indicate damaged hair or an unhealthy scalp environment, signaling a need for a gentler, more nourishing hair care routine.

Healthy Hair Care Habits and Product Choice

Adopting basic healthy hair care practices is crucial for returning your hair to health. For example, regular trims, moderate use of heat styling tools, and selecting gentle products are fundamental steps. Rachel Swire, licensed cosmetologist and owner of Salon Cabelo, emphasizes the importance of a regimen that balances moisture, protein, color retention, and heat protection based on your hair's needs.

Establishing a tailored hair care routine is pivotal. Stylist and beauty consultant Ghanima Abdullah of The Right Hairstyles, stresses the importance of familiarizing oneself with product ingredients and noting how they work together. For example, she recommends pairing a pH-balanced shampoo with a conditioner from the same brand for optimal results. Formulations from the same brand are often designed to work well together, which can help effectively address your hair's health concerns.

Try Natural Remedies for Hair Repair

Abdullah suggests protein treatments like rice water, egg masks, or mayonnaise to temporarily replenish protein lost to chemical, mechanical, or heat damage. However, caution is advised as overuse can lead to protein overload and subsequent breakage, especially in fine hair.

Additionally, coconut oil, applied overnight before washing, can fill the cortex's spaces to prevent hygral fatigue—a condition where hair absorbs excess water and becomes prone to breakage. These remedies offer temporary solutions, highlighting the importance of a balanced hair care routine to manage and prevent hair damage from start to finish.

Professional Hair Treatments

Swire shares that the course of treatment for damaged hair largely depends on the cause of hair damage. For chemically induced damage, a bond builder treatment (such as the K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask) could help, but cutting the damaged hair is the only solution in severe cases. She also mentions that "a consistent regime of shampoos and conditioners" can help maintain hair health. Professional treatments like keratin treatments, deep conditioning, and hair spa therapies are also worthwhile considerations for repairing damaged hair.

Nutritional Support for Hair

As Abdullah notes, while nutrition can't reverse hair damage, it can prevent it by promoting healthier hair growth. Below are some things to consider when aiming to nurture your locks from the inside out.

• Essential Nutrients: Protein, essential for hair structure, and vitamins like biotin and minerals like iron and zinc support hair health. Omega-3 fatty acids add to hair's shine and strength.

• Hydration: Adequate water intake is crucial to hydrate the scalp and hair, preventing dryness and brittleness.

• Supplementation: If dietary restrictions apply, considering supplements might be beneficial. Consulting a healthcare professional before introducing any supplements is advisable.

Through a nutritious diet, not only is the prevention of further hair damage possible, but it also sets a solid foundation for promoting a healthy, vibrant mane.

Related: The 8 Best Foods for Healthy Hair, According to Dietitians

Minimize Heat Styling and Optimize Heat Protection

Excessive heat styling tools can strip away your hair's natural oils, leading to damage over time. Experts celebrity hairstylist and master cosmetologist Tamika Gibson and Brandi Voorhees, a stylist from Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger, previously endorsed heatless curls as a healthier alternative. Gibson explained, "Using heat penetrates the hair shaft, removing the hair's protective natural oils," while Voorhees adds, "Heatless curls are the stronger option for hair health, though heat styling might be quicker."

When heat styling is necessary, it's essential to use heat-protecting sprays effectively. Swire warns against overuse and recommends a lower heat setting for small touch-ups. Similarly, Abdullah advises never applying direct heat on wet hair to prevent weakening the hair shaft. Adopting such precautions and exploring heatless styling alternatives could significantly reduce the risk of hair damage.

Regular Trimming and Maintenance

Routine trims are essential in maintaining hair health and preventing further damage. Swire suggests a trim every 6-8 weeks, tailoring the frequency to individual hair conditions. For those with chemically processed or frequently styled hair, Abdullah recommends a more proactive approach with monthly trims (especially if you're aggressively tackling damaged hair). This practice helps eliminate split ends and promotes healthier, more manageable hair, making maintenance easier and less time-consuming.

By considering the insights from our experts and integrating these measures into your hair care routine, the journey towards healthier and more resilient hair is a clear and attainable path. Always consult with a beauty professional to understand the specific needs of your hair and the best course of action to repair and protect your tresses.

Related: Fact or Fiction? Here's Which Instagram Hair Growth Tips Are Actually Worth Trying

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