How to Repair Damaged Hair?

Damaged hair breaks easily, looks tired and lacks the softness and shine that characterises good hair health. It’s called ‘damaged’ because the outer cuticle that protects each individual hair strand is weakened or impaired – much like damaged armour.

This kind of damage can be caused by a number of things. Most commonly, the use of heat or harsh chemicals on the hair are to blame, though environmental factors like sun exposure, air pollution and saltwater can also have an impact. The good news is that you can remedy it with time and care.

Read on to learn more about repairing damaged hair.

How to treat damaged hair

One of the key things to remember when treating damaged hair is that it will take time to get your hair back to a healthy, lustrous state. Whether the damage has come about as a result of bleaching, harsh hair products or environmental factors, it didn’t happen overnight.

As a result, this isn’t something you can fix in a few short weeks, but there are things you can do in the short term to start the repair process and disguise the appearance of damaged hair while it heals.

Use a nourishing shampoo and conditioner combo

You might think that it doesn’t matter what kind of shampoo and conditioner you use, but in reality, this can have a big impact on your hair health.

Damage to the hair is usually characterised by the outer cuticle (the outer layer of each individual hair strand) being compromised. It’s made up of a scale-like armour of keratin, and when damage occurs, these scales can become lifted, leaving the inside vulnerable to further damage.

To help repair this damage, look for products that are rich in keratin, like our Keratin & Argan range. The keratin within these formulas patches up damage to the outer cuticles of your hair strands, helping to protect them from damage and allow the hair to heal. Additionally, the argan oil helps to moisturise your hair and reduce the risk of breakage in the short term.

Alternatively, you could opt for a hair care range specifically formulated for dry and damaged hair, such as our Nourishing Oils collection. These products contain vitamin B5 to nourish and rehydrate damaged hair, plus nine flower oils to restore softness to each individual strand.

Treat your hair to a repairing mask

As well as giving your hair care and attention as part of your regular hair care routine, you may find it helpful to give it a little extra love when it’s damaged. Products like repairing masks or hair oils may be best used less frequently than shampoos or conditioners, helping to boost the revitalisation of damaged hair strands.

Be gentle with damp hair

You may be aware that your hair is at its most vulnerable when it’s wet. That’s because it’s more likely to stretch and break, so it’s important that you’re careful and gentle with damp or wet hair.

With that in mind, never brush your hair unless it’s completely dry. Damaged hair is vulnerable at all times, so try to only brush when absolutely necessary – the rest of the time, including when it’s wet, you can use a wide-toothed comb to gently untangle knots and tidy up your hair.

Avoid high-tension styles

On a similar note, if your hair is in a weakened, easy-to-damage state, the best thing you can do to avoid breakages in the short term is to stick with hairdos that don’t put too much strain on your hair strands.

Styles like tight buns and high ponytails can look great and may be some of your favourite updos, but the tension they place on your individual hair strands can lead to excessive breakage. Think of your hair like a frayed rope. You wouldn’t pull hard on a damaged rope, because it’s more likely to snap – the same applies to your hair.

Steer clear of heat styling and blow drying

In many cases, using heat on your hair is at least a part of what caused the damage in the first place, so if you’re looking to repair that damage, step away from your heat-based styling tools. That’s because high temperatures can break down the keratin that makes up the outer cuticles of your hair strands, leaving them vulnerable.

Consider whether you can get the same or similar styling results by using non-heat tools, such as putting curlers in overnight. Alternatively, turn the heat down on your tools and use a heat protectant spray containing argan oil beforehand, as this can help to protect your hair from damage.

Top tip! Different hair types can withstand different temperatures when using heat tools. Researching the right temperature for your hair can help you to avoid damage – but if in doubt, use the minimum setting.

However, the gentlest thing you can do for your hair is to stay away from the styling and blow drying for as long as you can manage – so why not embrace your hair’s natural texture? And by finding ways to look and feel fantastic without heat styling, you may find it easier to avoid damaging your hair in the future.

Trim regularly

Damaged hair breaks easily, and this can mean you get more split ends than you would usually. This can have a surprisingly big impact on the appearance of your hair, so if you’re looking to hide the signs of damage while you work on nourishing your hair, it can help to get regular trims to remove those split ends.

Try switching to silk or satin pillowcases

Lastly, be aware that breakages can easily occur as a result of friction. That’s why you might shed more hair after wearing a hat when your hair is damaged. It can also mean that you experience more breakages in your sleep, when your head is in contact with your pillow for long periods.

Cotton pillowcases can be comfortable, but they can still provide friction that can lead to breakages. If this is a problem for you, it may help to switch to a smoother, sleeker fabric such as silk or satin. Alternatively, if changing your pillowcases isn’t feasible, consider using a silk sleep bonnet instead.

If your hair has been damaged in the past and you want to improve it, know that it’s not a lost cause. With care, attention and the right nourishing hair care products, you can help to restore vivacity to your hair and return it to its former glory.

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