Is It Possible To Repair Damaged Hair?
No, damaged hair cannot be repaired; however, steps can be taken to prevent further damage. The best way to repair damaged hair (prevent further damage) is to first determine what caused the damage. Heat styling, coloring, and chemical treatments are all common causes of damaged hair.
Here Are My Top Suggestions For Repairing Damaged Hair
If Your Hair Was Damaged By Heat Styling
Apply a deep conditioning treatment to your hair: A deep conditioning treatment can help to nourish and repair damaged strands.
Heat styling, such as blow drying and flat ironing, can cause damage to your hair. If you must use heat to style your hair, use a heat protectant spray.
Here Are My Top 5 Actions You Can Take To Repair Heat-damaged Hair
Apply a deep conditioning treatment to your hair: A deep conditioning treatment can help to nourish and repair damaged strands. Look for a treatment that is designed specifically to repair heat-damaged hair.
These Are My Top Deep Conditioning Treatments
Hot oil treatments involve applying a nourishing oil (such as coconut oil, olive oil, or argan oil) to the hair after it has been heated. The heat aids in the penetration of the oil into the hair shaft, providing deep conditioning and nourishment.
- Moroccanoil: Moroccanoil provides a number of hot oil treatments, including their signature Moroccanoil Treatment, which is made with argan oil and is intended to nourish and repair damaged hair.
- OGX: OGX provides a variety of hot oil treatments, including their Nourishing Coconut Hot Oil treatment, which is made with coconut oil and is intended to add moisture and shine to the hair.
- Kérastase is a high-end hair care brand that offers a variety of hot oil treatments, including their Elixir Ultime Huile Originale, which is made with a blend of oils and is designed to nourish and protect the hair.
- Garnier: Garnier has a number of hot oil treatments available, including their Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream, which is made with avocado oil and is designed to nourish and smooth the hair.
- Aveda is a natural beauty brand that offers a variety of hot oil treatments, such as their Dry Remedy Moisturizing Oil, which is made with a blend of plant oils and is designed to nourish and moisturize the hair.
Protein treatments: These treatments aid in the repair of damaged hair by providing it with proteins that aid in the reconstruction of the hair structure. Protein treatments are particularly beneficial for hair that has been damaged by heat styling or coloring.
- Olaplex is a well-known hair care brand that provides a variety of protein treatments, including their No. 3 Hair Perfector, which is designed to repair and strengthen damaged hair.
- Kerastase is a high-end hair care brand that offers a variety of protein treatments, including their Fusio-Dose Homelab, a customizable treatment designed to repair and nourish the hair.
- ApHogee is a hair care brand that specializes in protein treatments, such as their Two-Step Protein Treatment, which is intended to repair and strengthen damaged hair.
- Matrix: Matrix is a hair care brand that provides protein treatments such as their Total Results Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Hair Mask, which is designed to nourish and repair damaged hair.
- Redken: Redken is a hair care brand that offers a variety of protein treatments, such as their Extreme Strength Builder Plus Fortifying Hair Mask, which is intended to repair and strengthen damaged hair.
DIY deep conditioning treatments: Many people enjoy making their own deep conditioning treatments at home with ingredients such as honey, avocado, and egg. These treatments can be very nourishing and are frequently less expensive than store-bought options.
- Honey and olive oil: For a nourishing treatment for dry, damaged hair, combine equal parts honey and olive oil. Allow the mixture to sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
- Mash one ripe avocado and one ripe banana together to make a nourishing treatment for dry, damaged hair. Allow the mixture to sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
- Coconut milk and honey: For a nourishing treatment for dry, damaged hair, combine equal parts coconut milk and honey. Allow the mixture to sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
- To make a nourishing treatment for dry, damaged hair, whisk together one egg and one tablespoon olive oil. Allow the mixture to sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
- Yogurt and honey: For a nourishing treatment for dry, damaged hair, combine equal parts plain yogurt and honey. Allow the mixture to sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes before rinsing it out.
Store-bought treatments: Many deep conditioning treatments are also available for purchase in beauty stores or online. These treatments frequently contain a variety of nourishing ingredients and can be very effective at improving hair health and appearance.
- Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector: This treatment is popular among those with damaged or chemically treated hair because it repairs and strengthens it.
- Kérastase Masque Elixir Ultime: This treatment is a nourishing hair mask that is intended to improve hair health and appearance. It is appropriate for all hair types.
- Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream by Garnier Fructis: This treatment is a leave-in conditioner that nourishes and smoothes the hair. It is appropriate for all hair types.
- Aveda Dry Remedy Moisturizing Oil: A lightweight oil that nourishes and moisturizes the hair. It is appropriate for all hair types.
- Pantene Gold Series Deep Hydrating Co-Wash: This is a co-wash (a conditioning wash that cleanses and conditions the hair) that is designed to deeply moisturize the hair. It is appropriate for all hair types.
Finally, the best deep conditioning treatment for your hair will be determined by its type and specific needs. It may be beneficial to try a few different options to find the one that works best for you.
Avoid heat styling: If at all possible, avoid heat styling your hair until it has fully recovered. If you must heat style your hair, use a heat protectant spray to reduce damage.
Regularly trim your hair: Damaged hair is more prone to split ends, which can travel up the hair shaft and cause additional damage. Regular hair trimming can help to remove split ends and prevent further damage.
Use the lowest heat setting possible: If you must heat style your hair, use the lowest heat setting possible. High heat can cause serious damage to your hair, so use as little as possible.
When your hair is wet, avoid styling it: Heat styling wet hair can be especially damaging because the heat can turn the water in your hair into steam, causing it to become dry and brittle. Before heat styling your hair, make sure it is completely dry.
If Your Hair Was Damaged By Coloring
It is recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology Association that you select a dye that is within three shades of your natural hue, and that you choose shades that are darker rather than those that are lighter in order to decrease the amount of damage done. Colors that are not found in nature are more challenging to keep looking their best and require more frequent touch-ups.
What You Can Do
- Be sure to keep your hair color “on shade” when you color it. Pick a dye that is within three tones lighter or darker than your natural hair color. In most cases, dying hair darker is preferable to coloring it lighter. To lighten your hair by more than three levels, you will need to apply a higher concentration of peroxide, which will result in increased hair breakage.
- Always perform a test on store-bought hair dye before applying it. Always follow the directions provided by the manufacturer. An allergic reaction to the dye can be recognized when it causes symptoms such as a rash, redness, swelling, burning, or itching in the affected area. Do not color your hair, and make an appointment with a dermatologist to have additional allergy testing done.
- Take precautions to prevent sun damage to your hair. Your hair may become thin, dry, harsh, faded, and brittle as a result of exposure to the sun. This is especially important to remember if you color your hair, bleach it, or use a perm on it. When you go outside, make sure to put on a hat with a wide brim.
- When you perm your hair, exercise extreme caution to avoid causing damage that will stay for a long time. Put a timer on so you’ll know when to rinse the perm solution off your hair. Always make sure you follow the instructions on the package. During the time that the perm solution is on your scalp, if you find that it is excessively itching or burning, you should immediately wash it off and make an appointment with a dermatologist.
Natural Oils On Colored Hair
Because they do not contain harsh chemicals that could strip or fade the color of colored hair, it is typically safe to use most natural oils on colored hair. However, before using any new product on your hair, you should always perform a patch test to ensure that the product will not cause any irritation or other negative responses. This will ensure that the product is safe to use.
If you have dyed your hair and are concerned about the effect that an oil might have on it, you can perform a preliminary test by applying a very small amount of the oil to a discrete and unnoticeable portion of your hair and observing how it reacts. If you have any worries about using oils on your colored hair, you can also discuss your concerns with a hair stylist or a dermatologist.
It is also a good idea to be cautious of how frequently you apply oils to your hair. Using an excessive amount of oils or leaving them on for an extended period of time can cause your hair to become greasy or weighted down, so it is important to avoid doing either of these things. If you want to use oils on colored hair, you may try applying a small amount to the ends of your hair or using a hair mask that contains oils to nourish and hydrate your hair. Both of these methods will help you utilize oils effectively.
Here Are My Top 8 Oils To Help Repair Color-damaged Hair
A variety of different oils have been shown to be effective in hydrating and moisturizing hair. The following are some of the best oils to use for this purpose:
- Coconut Oil: Oil extracted from coconuts Coconut oil is a natural emollient that can be used to help hydrate and nourish the hair. Because of its high concentration of fatty acids and its low molecular weight, it is able to easily permeate the hair shaft, where it can then provide nourishment to the hair from within.
- Argan Oil: Argan oil is yet another type of natural oil that works well for moisturising and nourishing the hair. As a result of its high vitamin and fatty acid content, it is capable of defending the hair against the damage that can be produced by heat style and other environmental conditions.
- Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a luscious, nutritious oil that is packed full of essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Because it helps to fully hydrate the hair shaft and repair damage, it is very beneficial for dry and damaged hair.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is a natural oil that is high in the antioxidants and fatty acids, and it is a healthy choice for cooking. It can help protect the hair from damage caused by heat styling and environmental conditions, in addition to helping to keep the hair moisturized and nourished.
- Jojoba Oil: Jojoba oil is a naturally occurring oil that has been found to have properties that are comparable to those of the oil that is produced by the scalp. It does an excellent job of hydrating and nourishing the hair, and it also has the potential to help balance the natural oil production on the scalp.
- Oil Extracted From Almonds: Almond oil is a natural oil that is abundant in the vitamins and fatty acids that the body needs. It has the potential to help keep the hair hydrated and nourished, as well as help it become stronger and more resistant to damage.
- Castor Oil: Castor oil is a natural oil that is rich in fatty acids and vitamin E and has a high content level of both of these components. It has the potential to assist in moisturizing and nourishing the hair, as well as assisting in the promotion of hair development.
- Other Oils: Grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and amla oil are just three examples of the many different kinds of oils that have the potential to be beneficial for hydrating and nourishing the hair. You have the option of selecting the oil that is most suitable for the characteristics of your hair and its requirements.
If Your Hair Was Damaged By Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments, such as perms and straightening treatments, can cause damage to your hair. If you do use chemical treatments, make sure to carefully follow the instructions and follow up with a deep conditioning treatment.
Regularly trim your hair: Damaged hair is more prone to split ends, which can travel up the hair shaft and cause additional damage. Regular hair trimming can help to remove split ends and prevent further damage.
There have been a number of studies that have been conducted to investigate the impact that chemical treatments, such as straightening and perming treatments, have on one’s hair. According to the findings of these research, chemical treatments can generally cause damage to the cuticle and shaft of the hair, which can result in dry, brittle, and otherwise unhealthy hair. Chemical treatments have the potential to cause hair breakage and even hair loss in some individuals.
Chemical treatments have been shown to cause damage to the cuticle and cortex of the hair, which can result in the hair being dry, brittle, and broken, according to the findings of a study that was published in the Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea. Chemical hair treatments can cause damage to the hair shaft, which can result in a loss of hair’s strength and elasticity, according to the findings of another study that was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
It is essential to keep in mind that the degree of damage produced by chemical treatments will vary depending on the type of treatment that is used, the frequency with which it is applied, as well as the individual’s natural hair type and the state of their hair. It’s possible that some people are more vulnerable to the side effects of chemical therapies than others.
If Your Hair Was Damaged By Sun Exposure
Avoid sun exposure: Sun exposure can cause your hair to become dry and damaged. Wear a hat or use an SPF leave-in conditioner to protect your hair from the sun’s rays.
There Are My Top 6 Actions You Can Take To Help Repair Damaged By Sun Exposure
- Utilize a treatment that provides deep conditioning: Using a treatment that provides deep conditioning can assist to repair and moisturize hair that has been damaged. You can use a hair mask that you purchase from a store, or you can make your own by combining an egg with a nourishing oil (such coconut oil or argan oil), and then applying the mixture to your hair. At the very least, the therapy should be left on for twenty minutes before being removed.
- If your hair is damaged or split, getting a trim can help remove the damaged ends and promote healthy hair development. If your hair is not damaged or split, however, getting a trim is not necessary.
- Protect your hair from the sun It is crucial to make sure that your hair is protected from the sun so that it does not sustain any additional harm. You can accomplish this by donning a hat or scarf, or by utilizing a leave-in conditioner or hair oil that contains UV protectants. Another option is to use a sunscreen.
- Utilize a heat protectant since using styling appliances that generate heat can cause additional harm to sun-damaged hair. Applying a product that acts as a heat protectant before to styling is the best way to keep your hair safe from the damaging effects of heat.
- You should avoid using hot water on your hair because it has the potential to remove the natural oils it contains and further dry out damaged hair. Instead of using hot water to rinse your hair, you could try using tepid or cold water instead.
- Steer clear of harsh hair products. Steer clear of harsh hair products such as those that include alcohol or sulfates, as they can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause more damage. Look for hair care products that are designed for hair that has been treated with color or has been damaged, and that are free of harsh chemicals.
My Top 5 Heat Protectants To Protect Your Hair From Heat Damage
- TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray
- Pantene Heat Protectant Spray
- Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist
- L’Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle SLEEK IT Iron Straight Heatspray
- Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer
When styling your hair using heat tools, it is essential to use a heat protectant, as heat can cause damage to your hair, including dryness, breakage, and split ends. Heat can also make your hair look frizzy. A heat protectant works to establish a barrier between your hair and the heat, shielding it from the potentially damaging effects of exposure to high temperatures.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3229938/
https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/coloring-perming-tips
https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/insider/stop-damage
https://pantene.com/en-us/product/thermal-heat-protect-spray
https://www.lorealparisusa.com/hair-care-hair-style/heat-protectant