How to repair damaged hair?

Beauty

April 29, 2021 0

What are my options?

Hair damage is more than just split ends. Very damaged hair has cracks in the outer layer (cuticle). When the cuticle lifts (opens), your hair is prone to further damage and breakage. It can also look dull or frizzy and be difficult to manage.

So can you really go from dry, brittle hair to smooth, shiny locks? The answer is not always cut and dry. In most cases, hair damage is permanent because hair is actually a collection of dead cells, making it beyond repair. The only real cure is time, a pair of shears and taking steps to prevent new damage. But don't despair, with proper care and a few targeted treatments, you can help restore the outer cuticle of your hair and start to improve the way it looks and feels.

If you know where you went wrong

Sometimes it's all too clear how you ended up with damaged hair. When used incorrectly, coloring, bleaching, and styling tools can do a number on your locks.

Keep reading to learn how to prevent further damage and smooth out the symptoms until you can cut the damaged hair. You may need to "double dip" to meet all your needs.

1. coloring

Whether you were pastel, mermaid, or just trying to cover a few gray hairs, coloring your hair at home can have consequences that last longer than the color. Chemical dyes can strip the natural moisture from your hair, quickly making smooth hair feel rough to the touch. Unless your hair was light to begin with, you may also have had to bleach your hair before applying the dye (more on this in the "This from bleach" section below).

How to limit further damage

Stay in the shade. Experts recommend choosing a dye within three shades of your natural color and choosing darker shades over lighter ones to limit damage. Unnatural colors are harder to maintain and need to be retouched more often. They stain less often. Extending the time between touch-ups can also help reduce damage. If possible, wait 8 to 10 weeks - or longer! - between staining treatments.

To make it more manageable:

Wash your hair less often.
Use only shampoos designed for colored hair.
Rinse shampoo and conditioner with cool water. Hot water can open the hair cuticle or lift it, allowing the dye to rinse out.
Go to a professional. Salons can be expensive, but coloring is often best left to the professionals. A professional colorist knows how to use the right products to minimize damage.
Choose a semi or demi-permanent.
Treatments that permanently alter hair can change it so aggressively that the only solution is to grow it out and start over.
Stick to one service at a time.
If you want to chemically bleach, straighten or fix your hair, it's best to do it at least two weeks before your hair appointment. This gives your hair time to recover between treatments.

How to mitigate existing damage

Use olive oil. This common cooking oil is also extremely popular for hair care. The oils have been shown from a trusted source to help moisturize hair and smooth the cuticle. Olive oil in particular is said to help soften hair and replenish much needed moisture. It's also easy to use and relatively inexpensive. Just remember to wait a few days after coloring before doing an olive oil treatment. Use a color-safe shampoo and conditioner. These products have the right pH to prevent swelling of the hair shaft and allow the dye to escape. Your color will last longer and your hair will look and feel better.

2. bleach

If you've gone from dark to light hair, you probably know all too well the damage bleach can do. Bleach is used to remove the natural hair color from each strand. It makes the hair swell, and the bleach reaches the inner part of the strand. Here it dissolves the melanin that gives pigment to your hair. This process can leave your hair dry, porous, brittle and fragile. Permanent changes to the texture of your hair can also make it less strong and flexible.

How to limit further damage

Bleach less often... Or not at all. There's no getting around it. Bleach always damages your hair to some degree. The less you do it, the better.
Add moisture. Before bleaching your hair, pay special attention to moisturizing it and avoid other damaging activities, such as heat styling, for a few weeks.
Use sun protection. The sun's UV rays can damage your hair. Bleached hair is especially susceptible to UV damage.
Try wearing a wide-brimmed hat or hair wrap to protect your hair and scalp. You can also use hairspray with UV protection to protect hair that looks like it's going out.
For added benefits, look for products that also have a conditioner.
Watch out for chlorine. In addition to turning your locks an unpleasant shade of green, chlorine can strip moisture from your hair and leave it even more brittle and rough.

To avoid this:

Rinse your hair with fresh water before entering the pool. This moisture can help prevent chlorine from changing your hair color and drying out your strands.
You should also wash your hair thoroughly as soon as you get out of the pool.
While any moisturizing shampoo and conditioner should do, you can also use a specially formulated bath shampoo and conditioner.

How to mitigate existing damage

Use almond oil. This sweet-smelling oil can help soften and strengthen your hair. Apply a small amount to the ends of your hair and then blow dry to moisturize and reduce frizz.

Popular options include:

Sweet almond oil
Treat your scalp and shoulders with almond oil dandruff shampoo for scalp and shoulder care
Try a rice water rinse. As it seems, research suggests that the water you pour down the drain when rinsing with rice can actually help your hair. Inositol, an ingredient found in rice water, has been shown to penetrate damaged hair and repair it from within.

3) It's from using heat tools

Heat styling can "cook" hair fibers and lead to raised cuticles and porous hair. Using heat or at high temperatures too often can make your hair more susceptible to damage.

How to limit further damage

Blow dry from a distance. Blow dryers are notorious for causing damage. The good news is that you may not have to give it up completely. One studyTrusted Source found that keeping the dryer 15 centimeters (about six inches) away from your hair and constantly moving the dryer can help reduce damage. Use heat protectants. These products are designed to protect your hair and prevent split ends.

Lower the temperature. The higher the temperature, the more damage you can do. Excessive heat can damage your hair, no matter where it comes from. Use the lowest heat setting on any product and limit the amount of time that hot air, irons or curling irons touch your hair. Dry air. Avoid heat altogether and let the air do all the work for you.

To do this, gently wrap your hair in a towel after showering. This will help draw out excess water before it dries. Don't rub your hair with the towel, as this can cause unnecessary friction and damage your hair. Drying without using high heat can also be a good idea if you plan on styling with a flat iron or curling iron. Experts recommend using heat tools no more than once a week. Natural. Adopt hairstyles that don't require high heat, such as salt-sprayed beach waves, or allow your hair to have natural texture and style.

How to mitigate existing damage

Use coconut oil. This tropical oil is a beauty bomb. The key benefit? The oil molecules are small enough to penetrate the outer cuticle and moisturize from the inside out. It can also help replenish the protective oils on the outside of your hair. These oils help protect hair from heat damage and breakage. Look for products that contain coconut oil or apply heated oil once a week as a deep moisturizing mask.

Also check out : Short, midi and long bob - 18 ultra-fashionable haircuts that will subtract years >>.

4 - This is by ignoring your hairdresser's phone calls.

Regular haircuts can make a big difference in keeping your hair healthy and well-groomed. Taking too long between cuts can lead to dry split ends. And just like the rest of your strand, you can't put the split ends of your hair back together. The real answer is to get a haircut to remove the problematic ends, but there are a few things you can do while you wait for your appointment.

How do you limit further damage?

Treat your hair well. Follow good hair care practices to prevent damage and keep your hair looking great when you go between cuts. Remove damage. Get regular haircuts to remove dry, damaged ends. Your stylist can help you decide how long you should go between cuts.

How to mitigate existingdamage

Use a hair mask or conditioner. Hair masks can't work wonders, but they can help hide and protect against split ends.