Hair damage is caused by various factors such as chemicals, heat or physical stress. Damaged hair strands are often weak and prone to breakage; hence, repairing the damage is crucial to restoring your hair’s overall appearance and health.
While there are many hair care treatments for damaged hair, the right treatment plan depends on factors such as your hair type, lifestyle, and level of damage. This guide highlights all you need to know about damaged hair and how to respond to restore your hair’s health and vitality.
Understanding Different Types of Hair Damage
Hair damage comes in various forms, and understanding the type of damage is essential for effective repair. Below are the most common types of damage and how they occur.
Heat Damage: Resulting From Heat Styling Tools
Heat damage results from the excessive use of styling tools like blow dryers, curling wands and flat irons. This damage can make your hair look dry and lifeless, causing split ends and breakage.
The level of damage caused by heat styling tools may vary depending on the hair type. Dry curly hair is often the most affected. If your curly hair is usually affected by these tools, you should learn how to repair damaged curly hair naturally to restore its bounce and definition. But even better, you can avoid these styling tools altogether.
Chemical Damage: Caused by Bleaching, Colouring, and Perming
Chemical processes like bleaching, perming, and colouring are known to weaken the hair’s internal structure, leading to fragility and even breakage. To repair damaged dyed hair, incorporate hydrating treatments and consider using the best purple shampoos for blonde or lighter hair colours. If you must perm your hair, you should avoid harsh chemicals and ensure proper hydration to prevent scalp issues.
Physical Damage: From Excessive Brushing, Tight Hairstyles, and Hair Extensions
Physical damage results from tight hairstyles, excessive brushing, or improper handling of hair extensions. Constant pulling stresses the hair shaft, leading to breakage and hair thinning or loss. Gentle handling and minimising tight styles can help reduce damage.
Environmental Damage: Sun Exposure, Pollution, etc.
Harsh weather conditions, including excessive sun exposure, can make your hair become dry and frizzy. If you are to stay outdoors for an extended period, ensure your hair is protected from external factors by wearing a cap, scarf, or sun protection spray.
How to Repair Damaged Hair: A Guide for All Hair Types
Hair damage can affect all hair types, but most treatments are specific to the type and extent of damage. Here’s what you should expect:
Heat Damage
If you are wondering how to repair heat-damaged hair or how to repair extremely damaged hair after continuous use of heat styling tools, the first step is to limit or avoid the use of hot tools and start incorporating deep-conditioning masks.
Protein treatments are essential for strengthening hair and enriching the scalp with vital nutrients. For post-treatment care, consider after-keratin treatment care products to maintain the results for a longer period.
Additionally, you want to use deep conditioning masks and leave-in conditioners to ensure your scalp and hair strands are well hydrated. Conditioning should also be done after a deep shampoo. How often you should wash your hair depends on your hair type, level of damage, and sweat and oil levels.
Chemical Damage
Chemical damage is common with regular hair treatments, especially if you are using non-organic hair products. To repair chemically damaged hair, bleach-damaged hair, or color-damaged hair, hydration and protein treatments are vital. Alternating between moisturising products and bond-repair treatments also helps restore balance.
Similar to how you repair bleach-damaged hair, you will also need to use nourishing products when repairing damaged hair after permanent straightening. Additionally, avoid further chemical processing and instead switch to pH-balanced products. When choosing hair growth and re-growth products like hair loss/thinning shampoos, pay attention to the key ingredients to ensure you get the best benefits possible.
Physical Damage
To repair damaged hair extensions and broken hair, you want to reduce physical stress on your hair. This includes loosening hairstyles and practising gentle detangling. Regular protein treatments can also help strengthen and nourish the hair structure.
A rule of thumb is to follow a proper hair care routine to maintain healthy hair and minimise hairstyles that cause unnecessary strain. How long it takes to repair damaged hair due to physical stress varies depending on the level of damage, your hair care routine, and the quality of hair care products you are using.
Environmental Damage: Sun Exposure, Pollution, etc.
Harsh environmental factors, such as excessive sun or heat, can lead to dry and brittle hair. To repair dry and damaged hair or damaged frizzy hair, use UV-protection products and hydrating hair masks. Masks containing aloe vera and glycerin replenish moisture, ensuring that your hair is protected all day and night long.
Additionally, wearing protective styles, like hats or scarves, shields hair from environmental stressors. If you have curly hair, consider using some of the best shampoos and conditioners besides the hair mask, caps or UV protection sprays for curly or frizzy hair.
How to Repair Damaged Hair Fast at Home
If you are wondering how to repair damaged hair fast at home, several effective DIY treatments are available. You can mix and match the below DIY remedies to ensure the best results possible.
DIY Hair Masks
DIY masks use natural ingredients like avocado, olive oil and honey to help restore moisture in your scalp and hair strands. As noted earlier, hair masks are some of the products that help grow hair faster while also providing nourishment.
Avoid Heat
Heat styling tools are among the primary causes of heat damage. If you are to minimise hair damage without putting in much effort, simply avoid using heat styling tools as much as possible. Instead, opt for air drying and, when needed, always apply heat-protection sprays before styling.
Leave-in Conditioners
Leave-in conditioners are one of the hair care products that add a protective barrier to your hair. They are designed to be lightweight so as to lock in moisture on your scalp and hair strands without causing the hair to look or feel oily. The best leave-in conditioners for your case depend on your hair type. If you have light-coloured hair, the best conditioners for blonde hair will help enhance shine and keep your locks looking healthy and vibrant.
Hair Oils
Oils like argan, castor, and coconut are excellent for deeply hydrating hair and repairing damage. If you want to quickly repair damaged hair, you should incorporate these oils into your list of hair care products. Before purchasing hair oils, make sure they are ideal for your unique hair type.
Repairing Damaged Hair: Final Thoughts
Repairing damaged hair can be a lot of work, so it is advisable to always prevent the problem rather than cure it. Even so, if you have the right skills and products, you can effortlessly restore your hair’s health and beauty.
To fast-track your hair recovery, consider seeking advice from a hair professional. At Ladyandthehair, we offer personalized hair styling and consulting services to help you achieve your hair goals and even fix hair damage caused by heat, chemicals, or the physical forces of wear and tear. Contact us today, and we’d love to help.
