Damaged hair is no joke. If your hair is stressed out, it could be dry, brittle, more prone to breakage and harder to manage. Damaged hair can also look dull and flat, and nobody wants that!
If your hair is damaged, don’t panic – there’s plenty you can do to try and improve its condition, from home care solutions to professional treatments. Below, we’ll run through some of the chief causes of damaged hair, so you know what to avoid, as well as some tactics for quickly improving its condition.
Causes of hair damage
Everyday life can damage your hair. If you’ve already styled your locks with heat by the time you leave the house in the morning, the damage has begun, whether you’re curling, straightening or simply blow-drying. Add in a spot of harsh brushing to remove a few tangles and the damage is exacerbated. The result? Breakage!
Environmental factors come into play too. Sunlight, in particular, can damage the hair and leave it brittle, but pollution and wind also take their toll – and the latter is likely to lead to more harsh brushing.
Coloring your hair can make it look fabulous. It can also weaken the hair’s cuticles and make the hair more prone to breakage. The more you color, the greater the damage.
Even washing your hair too often can detract from its condition. Your scalp produces sebum – natural oils – to keep the hair healthy. Wash too often and you strip away those oils, leaving your hair dry and, again, more likely to break.
When should you take action to rescue your damaged hair?
It’s important to act fast when it comes to rescue damaged hair. If you notice that you’ve got split ends or dead ends, or that your hair feels more brittle or dull, it’s time to act. You could head to the salon for an immediate consultation or else take matters into your own hands – whichever your budget dictates. The important thing to remember is that time is of the essence. By acting fast, you can avoid damaging your already vulnerable hair any further.
There are various ways in which you can nurse your hair back to full health. Let’s take a look at some of these now. If you’re in doubt about the right course of action, be sure to consult a hair care professional.
Regular cutting
Top of any list of how to care for you hair (whether it’s damaged or not), should be getting haircuts regularly. Even if you’re growing your hair, regular trims are essential, as they help to keep your hair in good condition.
Take a heat styling holiday
Blow-drying, using straighteners, using curling tongs and anything else that applies heat to the hair can really take its toll. Yes, heat styling can produce some fabulous results, but if your hair isn’t in great condition, it’s time to focus on nurturing it back to full health rather than achieving the perfect style every day.
A heat-styling holiday can be a great help here. Simply wash and condition your hair when needed, then allow it to dry naturally. You’ll be giving your hair a health boost and can enjoy the added bonus of having a little more free time in your day!
Consider a keratin treatment
Keratin is a protein that occurs naturally in the hair, as well as other parts of the body. Keratin treatments apply a layer of it to the hair, with the idea that it makes the hair smoother, sleeker and less frizzy for up to anything from two to six months. According to a recent survey by All Things Hair, 52% of people have used keratin on their hair, showing how popular this kind of treatment is.
However, opinion is divided as to the health benefits (or otherwise) of using a keratin treatment. Some argue that the keratin strengthens the hair. Others are of the view that repeated treatments make the condition of the hair worse over the longer term. As such, it’s best to seek professional advice before applying a keratin treatment (either in the salon or at home) if you have damaged hair.
Conditioning masks
If a keratin treatment sounds like a step too far for your fragile tresses, why not opt for a conditioning mask instead? There are plenty of options to choose from, including several choices marketed specifically as products that help to repair, strengthen and protect.
Conditioning masks can be a real treat for your hair, giving it a major moisture boost and generally nourishing and strengthening it. Plus, what better excuse for spending an extra few minutes soaking in the bath while the mask works its magic? You could even apply a face mask at the same time to turn it into more of a pampering session.
Using oil to boost the health of your hair
Oil treatments are another way that you can help to nurse damaged hair back to health. There are several options on the market and one of the most popular is Moroccan argan oil. It’s packed with vitamin A and vitamin E, and essential fatty acids, and Omega 3, which together deliver a hugely nourishing boost for your locks.
If you’re after a quick way to strengthen your hair and help it recover from damage, this is one of the easiest and most effective options. Simply apply before bed, then sleep with your head wrapped in a towel. In the morning, wash your hair as usual (a shower tends to work better than a bath for washing the oil out effectively enough to avoid a greasy, weighted-down look the following day).
Care for your hair every day
Finally, be sure to opt for a shampoo and conditioner that will serve to nourish and protect your hair each time you wash it. By ensuring your daily hair care routine does as much as possible to moisturize and strengthen your hair, as well as following the tips above, you should be on track to repair your damaged hair and enjoy fabulous-looking tresses once more.
