Do the words ‘dry hair’, ‘split ends’, ‘breakage’, or ‘frizz’ resonate with you? If the answer is yes, then you are in the right place.
All these words show you are battling hair damage and seeking tips to get your charisma and great hair day restored. And I will help you with an exhaustive list of 15 tips on how to repair damaged hair.
Discover different types, causes, and tips to repair damaged hair.
What is hair damage and its types?
Damage to the outer layer, or cuticle, is referred to as hair damage. As the cuticle opens, the hair shaft becomes more vulnerable to damage. When it comes to types of hair damage, it includes:
- Frizzy
- Dry
- Tangled
- Rough
- Brittle
- Lackluster
- Unmanageable
Causes of hair damage
Hair damage often happens because of:
Hair Styling: Heat during hair styling makes the hair porous. High temperatures are a sure cause of damaged hair.
Bleaching: It means turning hair a shade or two lighter than its natural color. Melanin pigment in bleach can turn your hair dry, brittle, and rough.
Chemical Dyes: Pigment in your hair dyes can suck the moisture out of your hair, making it rough to touch and prone to split ends and breakage.
15 Tips on How to Repair Damaged Hair
These tips are viable for different hair types, textures, and other aspects linked to damaged hair. Let’s get into the details of all the tips to repair your damaged hair.
Keep your hair hydrated
You should never leave your hair dehydrated because it makes it look dull and lifeless. Dry hair is among the most prominent causes of breakage and other serious damage. Hair becomes brittle and fragile when it lacks an optimal level of moisture.
If you are prone to dry hair, you need a moisturizer regimen. Such products offer naturally moisturizing content that keeps your hair moisturized and naturally healthy.
Wash up and brush up
Washing and brushing are important aspects of keeping your hair in optimal, healthy condition. However, experts suggest that most people over-shampoo or shampoo their hair incorrectly. This can add up to serious hair damage. Shampooing your hair removes dirt and oils, but if you overdo it, it may strip natural oils from your hair. Most often, shampoo isn’t rinsed out completely, which may cause buildup that may leave it looking dull and lifeless.
The rule of thumb to wash hair is:
- Avoid washing hair more than once a day.
- Use only enough product to wash your hair.
- Don’t wash in very hot or very cold water.
Wet hair is three times more vulnerable to breakage than dry hair. Don’t run them excessively with a towel either. Use a wide-tooth comb to detangle, but avoid combing too much-wet hair.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains a high amount of lauric acid. Coconut oil easily absorbs hair and adds moisture to the hair, reducing protein loss. Use it as a prewash or post-wash treatment to increase moisture and reduce frizz. Use it:
- Pour a small amount of organic coconut oil into your palms and gently massage it through your hair and scalp.
- Leave it for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse it with shampoo to remove the coconut oil completely.
You can also leave a tiny amount of coconut in your hair after shampooing or leave it overnight as a mask. If you use coconut oil as an overnight treatment, use an old pillow or towel to avoid oil stains.
Avocado
Avocado is a superfood packed with nourishing ingredients, some of which, like vitamins A and E, may help strengthen your hair. It also contains moisture content that can hydrate hair. Make avocado oil at home using these tips:
- Mash a medium-sized avocado.
- Mix with 2 to 4 tablespoons of coconut oil until you achieve a smooth, mask-like consistency that shouldn’t be runny.
- Apply oil to the hair and scalp.
- Cover your hair with a plastic cap or towel, and leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Wash it with shampoo to remove it completely.
Use avocado oil once or twice a week.
Apple cider vinegar
The PH level of healthy hair is between 4.5 and 5 and it’s acidic. The cuticles remain closed and flat if the hair’s pH balance is in this range. However, if cuticles open up as they get too alkaline, this may give them a frizzy appearance.
Apple cider vinegar is an alpha-hydroxy that may help tame frizziness, as per anecdotal evidence.
Apple cider vinegar removes residue left from the used products and makes your hair appear shinier. It also contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that may help to reduce dandruff. Use it in your hair.
- Take a quart of warm water and mix 1/3 of organic apple cider vinegar.
- Pour as you need, and store others for later use. Leave it on your hair for 1-3 minutes, and rinse it.
Apply conditioner properly.
Conditioner is used to make hair softer. The best time to use it is in the middle and ends of your hair, working backward toward your scalp. Your hair needs more hydration from the scalp, and this can get your scalp dry. If you notice flakes or your scalp feels itchy, pay extra attention to it to keep it hydrated.
Make sure you choose the most suitable conditioner for your hair. It is also important to remember that thick curls need a different kind of hydration than fine or straight hair. I highly recommend DAMAGE SHIELD Protective Conditioner and The Conditioner- Hydrating Cream with Hyaluronic Acid, Niacinamide + Panthenol.
Get regular haircuts
Getting regular haircuts can also build a protective layer that removes split ends and prevents them from traveling up. There is nothing to panic about if you are growing hair.
Take a haircut in 4 to six weeks if you are growing. And get a haircut in 6 to 8 weeks if you are growing in length.
Regular trims are extremely important, regardless of your hair type.
Eat a balanced diet
A well-rounded diet is extremely important to keep your hair in optimal health. Just like skin, diet also has similar impacts on your hair. We become what we eat. As protein is the primary source of hair production, try to include protein-rich foods in your diet plan.
Add these easily accessible items to your diet:
- Meat
- Eggs
- Beans
- Fish
Other good sources for your hair health include:
- Berries
- Spinach
- Avocados
Along with these items, add vitamins C and E. This will enhance collagen production, ensuring healthy strands.
Don’t skip your scalp
A healthy scalp is a primary concern when it comes to hair health. Dryness, itching, or any scalp issues are red flags, saying your hair health is going through serious damage that calls for due attention. You need to use clean shampoo and conditioner that suits your hair health needs to give yourself healthy and voluminous fresh hair.
Use Sunscreen
Swimming is a famous activity. This is great for physical health, but it can lead to serious damage to the hair or might have already caused the damage.
Saltwater, chlorine, and other pool chemicals can make your hair brittle and fragile. If you are a swimmer, you need optimal protection. So whenever you swim, don’t forget to wear a swim cap to protect your hair. When you’re heading to the beach or pool, protect your hair from the sun, as it can be drying and cause your hair color to fade.
Lower-Maintenance Look
Some color styles will minimize damage even when your hair is looking fried. For example, balayage, or a rooted look, can be as low-maintenance as lightning only once or twice a year.
Avoid going to bed with wet hair
It seems to go to bed right after taking a shower. But it’s not good for your hair, even with perfectly dried hair. However, wet hair, stretches more, which can cause friction that makes it weaker and break over time. At least rough dry hair and tie it up in a soft scrunchie when going to bed.
Seek in-salon treatment
There are several home-based solutions available; nevertheless, sometimes you need a pro option. Ask your hairstylist for some professional treatment to get rid of any serious hair damage.
Always use heat protection
Heat tools are popular these days for modern styling. But they can also cause serious damage to your hair. To avoid any hair damage, you should use heat retardant. If not necessary, don’t use heat retardant at all.
Eggs
Eggs contain loads of proteins and vitamins A, D, and E. Make a smooth mixture of white wine and half a lemon. Apply it to your hair and cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes. Use mild water to rinse it.
Eggs work like conditioners, bringing you back to your lost shine. Lemon is an anti-fungal that cleans up any residue products left on hair.
Final Thoughts
Hair protection is part of overall physical protection. It doesn’t need to be hard and fast, as a few simple tweaks and optimal hair health are on the menu.
These 15 tips on how to repair damaged hair will give you control across different aspects of hair concerns. However, it shouldn’t be a hassle for you, as these tips can help you according to your condition. Simply navigate your concern and opt for home-based and other solutions.