How to Repair Damaged Hair, According to Experts

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No matter how you cut it, dealing with damaged hair isn’t fun. Hair damage happens for myriad reasons, but the usual suspects are chemicals, heat, and mechanical issues. Damage shows up differently across different hair textures, and can manifest as brittleness, dryness, split ends, and overall dullness.

Not all damage can be reversed, but it can be ameliorated with time, care, and the right products, says hair expert Michelle Hong, founder and creative director of salon NYC the Team.

The most important goal? Preventing further damage. Below, we break down the main culprits behind hair damage, how to counteract them, and a few products to add to cart ASAP.

Beware of chemical treatments

While hair color and straightening treatments offer versatility in terms of style, they also come with risks. “Chemical damage happens from overprocessing with harsh chemicals,” explains Hong, citing perms, keratin treatments, and bleaching as offenders. “These processes, if not done properly, roughen the exterior and break the bond of the hair, leaving it brittle and damaged.”

Celebrity hairstylist and colorist Matt Rez suggests using products that help rebuild broken bonds from deep within the hair shaft. You can tell damage has occurred when the hair feels stretchy or when wet, almost mushy. “If the hair is breaking after running your hands through it when wet, the damage has gone too far,” he says. “Extreme protein treatments [can] help hold the hair shaft together, but are likely unable to save the day.”

Bond Repair Treatment Starter Kit

Unbreakable Care Root Lift Hair Thickening Spray

No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment

Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave-In Treatment

Lay off heat tools

Surprisingly, heat damage from styling tools doesn’t happen only at home—the salon can play a role, too. “I often see so many people blow-drying the wrong way, like where the nozzle or head of a blow-dryer is pressed into a round brush and there’s no way for the heat to escape,” Rez says. “The hair getting damaged both by extreme heat and tension—this is not great for colored or virgin hair!”

The solution? Heat-damaged hair craves humectants found in moisture-delivering treatments like masks. On the other hand, Rez advises against protein-based solutions for this type of damage, as they can cause the opposite effect and dry out hair further. “Look for labels or product names that include words like dry or frizzy, since those are symptoms of heat damage," he says.

Handle hair with care

Mechanical damage occurs when hair is handled roughly—think excessive styling, brushing, and even vigorous detangling. “Knots in the hair from not brushing and tight ponytails and braids can also cause damage,” Hong notes.

One of the best ways to combat this is a detangling leave-in conditioner. “These help create a glide and a slip for a brush or super-wide-tooth comb to get tangles out,” Rez explains. “Start from the ends and work your way up, both with spraying in the product and with comb or brush.”

Another tip? Treat your hair like your skin. “The Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Overnight Hair Serum is a great nighttime serum to put on your hair like a cream on your face at night,” Hong says. She adds: “Using silk pillowcases or silk hair ties can help [reduce] excess friction on your pillow when sleeping.”

Deep-condition weekly

The road to healthier hair starts in the shower—it’s imperative to have a plan and routine for your hair. Hong suggests you “start by washing with great shampoo for moisture or damage, followed by a mask almost every time, to keep building the condition of the hair.”

According to the expert, moisture masks and deep conditioners are typically good for addressing heat damage and very subtle chemically induced dryness. “For more intense chemical damage, where breakage is happening, a protein mask or deep conditioner must be used to help rebuild the structure of hair,” she explains.

Rez is also a fan of leave-in treatments, like hair oils, but warns against their improper usage: “Do not sleep in products or leave in longer than the suggested time—longer than suggested and more product does not mean better. Follow directions and labels for ultimate results.”

Repair Restorative Treatment

Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

Triple Brazilian Butter Damage Repair Hair Mask

Consider a cut

You’ve heard this advice time and time again, but frequent trims and cuts can help minimize future damage. “When the hair is dry, brittle, and split, the damage will go deeper into the hair shaft if not taken care of,” warns Hong. “The damaged ends most likely have breakage, so it is most recommended to cut that off!”

Rez adds that if your hair is constantly breaking off, it’s simply time to let go. And with all the bobs, lobs, and pixie cuts currently trending, you’ll be in good company. “Even if the hair is able to heal and stay intact, it will be so intensely dry that split ends and cuticle shaft—or what’s left of it—will keep breaking,” he explains.

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