Damaged hair can leave you feeling frustrated and powerless. However, with the right tips and products, you can restore your hair to its healthiest state no matter how damaged it may be. Read on to learn how to repair your damaged hair and get back to feeling like the best version of yourself.
What Causes Hair Damage and How to Prevent It
Your hair is highly vulnerable to damage from outside forces. As a result, many factors can contribute to hair damage. Most of these factors fall under one of two categories — environmental or styling — and all it takes is a few factors to leave you with dry, brittle strands.
Environmental triggers
The sun, swimming pools and air pollution can all take a toll on your hair. UV radiation is perhaps the most damaging environmental factor as it can damage the outer and inner layers of your hair. To protect your hair from sun damage, wear a hat or scarf when outdoors and use a leave-in conditioner with UV protection.
Chlorine, a chemical component of most swimming pools, is also particularly drying, even for those with more resilient hair. Chlorine strips the hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage. To minimize the effects of chlorine, try wearing a swim cap in the pool or wetting your hair with non-chlorinated water before jumping in the pool to reduce chlorine absorption.
Furthermore, air pollution from car exhaust or smoke can bind to your hair’s surface and infiltrate your hair follicles, potentially affecting the growth and texture of your hair. Although air pollution is often unavoidable, you can use products formulated with antioxidants to help block free radical damage and reduce the effects of pollution on your hair.
Styling factors
Your daily hairstyling habits may be damaging your hair more than you think. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, the following haircare habits can all lead to hair damage:
- Using heated styling tools such as curling irons, flat irons and blow dryers
- Applying shampoo directly to the lengths of your hair rather than just the scalp
- Skipping conditioner
- Rubbing your hair with a towel to dry it
- Putting your hair into a tight bun or ponytail
- Wearing a weave or hair extensions for prolonged periods
- Frequently coloring, perming or relaxing your hair
Simply avoiding many of these habits can make a major difference in the health of your hair. If you can’t resist, aim for gentler versions of these styling methods, such as using lower heat settings or trying to reduce the frequency with which you use them.
How to Assess Your Hair Damage and Determine the Best Treatment
The best way to start repairing your hair is to assess your hair and its condition. Start by examining your split ends, which are one of the easiest signs of damage. If you have more than a few, it’s a surefire sign that your hair needs some TLC. You can also look for other signs of damage, such as excessive dryness, frizziness, breakage and dullness. The more of these signs you have, the more severe the damage likely is.
If your hair is severely damaged, it may require professional treatment, such as a keratin or Brazilian blowout. You may also benefit from completely avoiding heat-styling tools and chemical cosmetic treatments until your hair is healthy again.
For hair with mild to moderate damage, start with a handful of the following at-home treatment options:
- Use a deep conditioning mask once a week
- Apply leave-in treatment after each wash
- Use a heat protectant before using heated styling tools
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase
- Trim your hair regularly to get rid of split ends
If you don’t notice any positive changes to your hair within three months, you may want to add in a more intensive treatment or increase the number of methods you’re implementing into your routine.
Top Hair Repair Products From Rodan + Fields
In addition to the above recommendations, you may find it helpful to invest in products designed specifically for hair repair. Rodan + Fields has a variety of products that can help repair and restore your hair’s natural health and shine.
The new 3-step MOISTURE+ Regimen is designed to transform dry + damaged tresses by deeply moisturizing, softening brittle strands, repairing damage + mending split ends. This dermatologist-created treatment offers a comprehensive solution to damaged hair by reenergizing and nourishing the scalp. The daily regimen helps support long-term healthy hair, with immediate benefits you can see and feel.
DEFINE+ Curl Cream is an all-in-one styling cream for curly hair that adds definition and shine, helping to achieve soft, healthy locks.
DEFRIZZ+ Oil Treatment is a lightweight hair oil restores shine, softness, and hydration for less frizz and more manageability.
