Tips to repair damaged hair

A damaged head of hair is the single greatest factor that will prevent you from having a good hair day. The truth is that damaged hair calls for specialised care if you want it to seem healthy and have a smooth texture. If you’ve been using heat styling tools or bleach on your hair, it’s crucial to understand how to repair damaged hair so that you don’t have to deal with issues like dry strands, brittle hair, and split ends. You can do this by developing a good hair care regimen and following it consistently. If you take good care of your hair, it will be easier for you to repair damaged hair. Keep scrolling to find out how to treat damaged hair, as well as the reasons, and types of damage that can occur to hair.

What exactly is meant by the term “damaged hair”?

Damaged hair occurs when the outer hair cuticles are lifted, exposing the hair cortex (inner layer) and compromising the structural integrity of the hair. The hair shaft has three layers: the medulla, the cortex, and the cuticle. The medulla is the innermost layer, while the cortex includes keratin fibres and melanin (the outer layer composed of dead, overlapping cells). In healthy hair, the cuticles are smooth and flat, trapping in moisture and protecting the inner layers to keep the hair silky and lustrous. Excessive chemical and colour treatments, harsh products and grooming techniques, exposure to UV radiation, and pollution damage the hair’s cuticles, altering its texture. As a result, the hair appears frizzy, unruly, and damaged, and it becomes prone to breaking. Before beginning to repair damaged hair, it is vital to identify the causes and type of damages.

What are the most common causes of hair damage?

Stress

Stress of both the physical and mental variety can lead to hair loss. The release of free radicals is one mechanism by which environmental aggressors like UV radiation, dampness, or pollution can bring about hair loss.

• Avoid exposing your hair to the sun for an extended period of time by using a hat or scarf to cover it. This will help prevent damage to your hair.
• Look for hair care products that also contain sun protection.
• Make use of items that fight dampness.
• Treat your hair with a serum that will hydrate it and protect it.

Seeking the assistance of a therapist, practising yoga and meditation, and engaging in other forms of relaxation might help reduce mental and emotional stress. In addition to that, be sure to properly care for your hair.

Heat Styling

We are all guilty of speeding up the drying and style process by utilising heated styling tools, such as curling irons, hair straighteners, and blow dryers, at high temperatures. The prolonged exposure to high heat can cause the hair cuticles to lift, which in turn damages their structure. The use of heat styling equipment on a regular basis might cause the hair to become dry and brittle. On the other hand, this does not mean that you have to completely abstain from utilising heat styling equipment. You simply need to move forward while using extreme caution. Follow these helpful hints:

• Before utilising hot tools, make sure to cover your skin with a thermal styler or heat protectant spray.
• Once a week, treat your hair to a mask that provides intensive conditioning and restoration.
• Maintain a distance of at least 6 inches from the hair when using the blow dryer.
• When necessary, make use of a diffuser or a concentrator.
• Make sure that the temperature is set to a low setting.

Chemicals

When too many chemicals are processed through the hair, the result is frequently hair that is dry, harsh, and brittle. Chemicals found in hair dyes, relaxers, and bleaching chemicals can seep into the cortex of the hair, which weakens the strands of hair and ultimately causes damage from the inside out. They do additional damage to the hair shaft and the scalp by making the hair more porous to other chemicals, such as formaldehyde or ammonia. You can avoid this situation by following these steps:

• Only make use of natural and non-toxic colours.
• If your hair is damaged, you should not bleach or colour it.
• Give yourself a rest in between each session of colouring your hair.
• Ensure that you are using the appropriate concentrations and dilutions.
• If you plan on dying or bleaching your hair, wait at least 12 hours before going to bed.
• If you want better results and to stay safe, you should talk to a trained specialist.

Tight Hairstyles

Damage to your hair can be caused by improperly styling it in certain ways. Pulling the hair at the roots can lead to hair loss and breakage, which can be caused by tight hairstyles such as buns and ponytails. This could also cause the hairline around your temples to recede and result in bald areas.

Fungal Infections

Malassezia, a type of microorganism, is the causative agent of dandruff, a common fungal infection of the scalp. It does this by feeding on sebum and the natural oils that are produced by the scalp, which in turn produces irritation and inflammation, which can have a negative impact on the health of the scalp and hair, and over time can lead to thinning or loss of hair. Shampoos that fight dandruff should be used, and a medical professional should be consulted about therapy.

Wet Hair

When wet, hair becomes porous and delicate, it makes it more prone to breakage. When you brush wet or damp hair, you risk breaking the hair shafts due to the stretching that occurs.

Nutritional Deficiency

A lack of certain nutrients can both induce hair loss and diminish the quality of hair. In order to keep your hair healthy, you should eat foods that are high in vital nutrients including protein, iron, copper, zinc, essential fatty acids, folic acid, and amino acids.

Bad Hair Care Practices

We put a lot of strain on our hair by doing things like taking steamy showers and going to bed with wet hair. These behaviours are likely to cause harm to your hair.

• Always make sure to steer clear of things like taking hot showers and over-washing your hair.
• Brushing or massage with a lot of pressure
• Sleeping or tying damp hair
• Letting one’s hair down while one sleeps

How Do You Treat Damaged Hair?

Hair Care Routine

Make the switch to a hair care approach that is less harsh. Before you go out and buy your shampoo, conditioner, oil, and serums, you will need to do some study regarding the hair care product. The first two steps of any hair care programme should be washing and conditioning the hair. Make sure that the products you buy do not contain any sulphates, parabens, alcohols, colours, or perfumes that are manufactured. You should wash your hair frequently so that you can remove the dirt, sebum, and dead skin cells that have accumulated there. To restore damaged hair, you might try using one of the deep conditioning treatments that are now on the market.

Apply Hair Serum

The significance of serums is something that just cannot be overstated. They shield hair from the damaging effects of heat styling, tame flyway’s, and provide a healthy sheen to your hair. Applying serum to your hair and the ends of your hair is recommended as a general best practise. It is possible that using it on the scalp will cause the hair to appear oily.

Homemade Masks

You can restore the health of your hair and save money doing so by using masks that you prepare at home.

Banana

Put a ripe banana through a blender with some curd, or combine it with some olive oil. Use this concoction as a treatment for your hair and scalp. Use a mild shampoo when you wash it. Bananas are an excellent source of carbs, potassium, vitamins, and natural oils, all of which are necessary for maintaining the moisture balance of the hair.

Avocado

Make a mask for your hair by combining an egg with a ripe avocado, and then let it on for twenty minutes. The avocado is loaded with essential nutrients for maintaining healthy hair, including vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.

Eggs

A smooth combination can be made by combining egg white and half of a lemon. Apply it to your scalp and then cover your hair with a shower cap for the next half an hour. Use a gentle shampoo to finish rinsing. Eggs are an excellent source of protein as well as vitamins A, D, and E. They have the same effect as conditioners and restore the shine that was lost. Lemon is antifungal and can help clean the residue left behind by styling products from your hair.

Hair Oils

Coconut oil is one of the wonderful natural treatments that can be used on your hair. It has the ability to penetrate the cuticle of your hair, which allows it to restore damaged hair. Olive oil is widely regarded as a superior moisturising agent and has the ability to assist in the restoration of the moisture that has been lost from your hair. Reducing frizz and rehydrating dry strands are both possible benefits of using almond oil. Vitamins E and A can be found in abundance in argan oil. It helps to keep the hair from breaking while also hydrating it.

When to See a Doctor

If you notice any of the following, it is highly recommended that you make an appointment with a dermatologist:

• Excessive hair loss
• Dry, dull hair along with exhaustion and weight loss
• Sudden thinning of the hair or changes in its colour
• A sensation similar to burning on your scalp
• Hives, a reddened scalp, or discomfort to the scalp

Conclusion

Damage to the hair can be caused by a single or multiple sources, including the use of heat to style the hair, bleaching, colouring, hot showers, improper hair care regimens, and so on. Hair care products that are mild on the hair, serums, oils, and DIY masks are some of the easiest ways to heal damaged hair. We sincerely hope that these may assist you in regaining the former brilliance of your hairs.