Can Damaged Hair Be Repaired? Advice & Products Leading Hair Damage Solutions featured imageHair damage is an age-old problem and often makes people believe that it is a one-way trip once you are headed in the direction of breaking your hair. Still, knowing the properties of matting and what we can do about it give us a good perspective on this unfortunate problem.
Understanding Hair Damage
Nature of Hair
Hair is made of dead cells and hence if they get damaged the cell physiology or structure can not be restored. The breakdown can result from heat-styling, chemical treatments or environmental stress. Damage to the hair weakens this outermost layer, causing it grow in an open formation and be prone to breakage or splitting12.
Types of Damage
This is Heat Damage, and this occurs when heat damage truly takes its toll on the strands due to overuse from blow drying or straightening your hair.
Chemical Damage – Dyeing, relaxing etc.haircare (ad)
Mechanical Damage: This type of damage springs from rough handling, over- brushing or tight hairstyles3.
Repair Strategies
Although it may not be restored to its full original condition, there are many ways you can manage and improve the look of damaged hair.
Regular trims: Snip off the splits ends to avoid further damage from climbing up your hair4
Deep Conditioning: Regularly using deep conditioners on the hair every week can nourish and moisturize the hair5.
Protective oils: Some benefits of oiling are that certain (coconut, jojoba) can penetrate the hair shaft to provide moisture and lower protein loss .
Be Gentle: Never brush or towel dry aggressively, Instead use a cottony T- Shirt preferred option microfiber toweling because it causes less friction3
Heat Protection — apply a heat protectant to lessen damage (4)
Preventing Future Damage
In order to get your hair healthy or keep it from being damaged more:
Reach for Damage-Friendly Formulas
Minimize your use of heat styles
Prevent damage from environmental factors like UV rays and chlorine by wearing hats or applying protective sprays56.
Thus, in summary, damaged hair can never truly be “repaired,” however recognizing the root of where those issues stem from and addressing them directly (to hydrate properly) will go a long way over time to keep your locks healthy and looking ‘poppin.
