How to Repair Damaged Hair
Nearly everyone experiences some level of hair damage, ranging from dryness and brittleness to split ends and breakage. The most effective approach to addressing dry and damaged hair varies depending on the cause and type of damage. Discover the optimal solution for your hair with these tips on prevention and remedies.
Mechanical Damage
Causes: Mechanical damage occurs due to friction applied to the hair, which can manifest in various ways. Rough brushing, excessive use of heat styling tools, frequent blow-drying, or salon styling can all contribute to this type of damage. Signs of mechanical damage are evident on the cuticle, including dryness, lacklustre appearance, changes in texture, and breakage.
Treatment: Unfortunately, split ends and severe breakage cannot be repaired. In such cases, the best solution is to trim the damaged ends or consider a haircut to remove them entirely, preventing further breakage. To reduce the visible effects of mechanical damage, refrain from using styling tools altogether and embrace your hair's natural texture for a while.
Chemical Damage
Causes: Chemicals found in hair products and environmental factors are significant contributors to hair damage. These chemicals often dissolve the protein in our hair strands, primarily made up of keratin. When these substances affect keratin or the production of amino acids, it can lead to various signs of hair damage, such as split ends and breakage.
Some of the most common chemicals in hair products that cause material damage to hair include: sulphates, parabens, alcohol and phthalates.
Treatment: You can enhance the quality of hair following minor chemical damage by using bond-building products that rebuild the amino acid bonds constituting the keratin in hair. However, split ends or breakage in severely damaged hair cannot be restored and will need a trim or haircut.
Heat Damage
Causes: Frequent use of heat styling tools can cause lasting damage to our hair. The repeated application of heat gradually wears away the hair's protective cuticle and weakens the strands, eventually leading to breakage.
Treatment: If you enjoy using straighteners or curling irons to style your hair, consider using them at a lower temperature setting and always apply a heat protectant spray. However, be mindful of the ingredients in the spray to avoid harmful chemicals. Additionally, never apply heat to wet hair as it is highly susceptible to damage in this state.
Schedule regular trims to manage and eliminate split ends, effectively removing the most damaged portions of your hair and preventing the splits from progressing further up the strands.
Whenever possible, allow your hair to air dry and transition to moisturising or damage-repairing shampoos and conditioners, opting for formulas free of chemicals. Following your shower, apply hydrating products like argan or jojoba oil and leave-in conditioners to replenish moisture to your hair.
