Let’s start by identifying the damage. Here we discuss three common causes of damaged hair, how to limit the damage, and what repair steps you need to take to make your lengths as healthy as possible.
1. Mechanical damage
How does mechanical damage occur?
Mechanical damage is caused by hair wear. Dragging combs and brushes through your lengths, tying styles with tight ties and ribbons, and even exposing hair to the elements take their toll over time. All these external factors can lead to the breaking of individual strands, weathering (and even extermination) protective cuticles and any potential for shine, which instead leads to a tired and frizzy mane.
How to repair damaged hair
While certain products exist to address damage caused by chemicals (read on to learn more), our experts emphasize that you can’t repair split ends or breaks in severely damaged hair. The solution here is a trim or perhaps a full chop, the better to say goodbye to split ends before the breakage goes up.
To minimize the signs of mechanical damage, take a break from even the most basic tools and embrace your natural texture using products like Vernon François Nourishing water or Guava beach waves from Ceremonia. Plus, oils love it JVN Complete nourishing hair oil shine drops And No Frizz Vanishing Oil from Living Proof can suppress frizz and boost shine as your hair begins to heal.
How to prevent further damage
“Wet hair is very vulnerable; be careful,” says celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager, who insists on using a wide-toothed comb or wet brush. Her advice is to work from the ends of the hair upwards and let the hair air dry as much as possible before styling. You need the same type of hair when blow-drying. “Choose a boar bristle brush or one with a plastic-boar bristle mix,” says Hill. “The idea is to stay away from metal brushes, which can abrade the hair fibers and scalp.” Attempt Christophe Robin Special hair dryer brush or Crown Affair’s The Brush No. 001 for safer styling.
Another way to expand your style? Protect it while you sleep with satin or silk pillowcasesscarves, and hats. “Create a signature sleep style that allows oxygen to flow through the hair to the scalp, to prevent tangles and matting at the occipital tip of the head while you sleep,” explains Hill, citing twists, pin curls, large braids or the pineapple method as excellent sleeping styles.
2. Chemical damage
How does chemical damage occur?
Fans of hair coloring and retexturing treatments, take note: chemical damage is a treacherous breed. While occasional chemical treatments – accompanied by a strategic and regulated hair care routine – are not a cause for concern, treatments that are too frequent, too harsh or not accompanied by proper care can lead to progressive deterioration of the hair cuticles. Without intact cuticles, the strands lose their ability to retain moisture, leading to loss of shine, elasticity and ultimately breakage. TLDR: Bleaching is allowed makes hair look plumpand restructuring can make daily styling easier, but chemicals cause significant damage to protein structures over time.
How to repair damaged hair
Bond-building hair products have been all the rage in recent years, and for good reason. “You can improve the quality of hair after mild chemical damage using bond-building products that repair the amino acid bonds that make up the keratin in the hair, but you cannot repair split ends or breaks in severely damaged hair,” explains Caspara out. Options such as Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil or K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repairing Hair Mask are two of the most talked about formulas on the market, but Living Proof Triple Bond Complex And Bumble and bumble Bond-Building Repair Treatment both promise to strengthen hair and resist future damage.
How to prevent further damage
While bond-building products help hair, regular maintenance is the ultimate step toward prevention. “The only way to repair serious thermal or chemical damage is to regularly cut off dead ends and grow healthier hair without being affected by lingering damage,” says Caspara. Brager agrees that regular trims can prevent split ends from fraying and breaking, helping you (and your hair!) avoid even more damage.
3. Heat damage
How does heat damage occur?
Although heat tools can help our hair to appear Perfect, if you rely on it too often it can cause permanent damage to the lengths. As with chemical processing, the repeated application of heat erodes the cuticle and weathers the strands, leading to breakage over time. Too much heat can even cause instant damage, literally singeing the strands you’re trying to style.
How to repair damaged hair
While there’s no way to completely reverse heat damage, regular trims and an overhaul of your daily products can help. Take stock of your shampoo and conditioner to make sure both are free of harsh sulfates.
