Blowdryers, flat irons, rollers and curling irons--heated styling tools can wreak havoc on delicate strands, especially if you use them every day or on hair that is dyed or chemically straightened. The result is damaged hair, which is dry, brittle to the touch and breaks easily. The only way to completely get rid of damaged hair is to cut it off, but you can minimize damage by using special products designed to repair and moisturize dry, fragile locks.
Step 1
Wet your hair and apply a pre-treatment especially designed to repair damaged hair. Leave it on for 30 minutes. "Elle" magazine recommends J.F. Lazartigue Deep Action Treatment with Carrot Oil.
Step 2
Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo designed for damaged hair.
Step 3
Apply conditioner designed for damaged hair. Look for products with ceramides, vitamin E derivatives and pro-vitamin B5, such as Kerastase Creme Richesse Conditioning Treatment. Leave in for five minutes before rinsing.
Use an intensive deep conditioner once a week. Try Frédéric Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative Treatment Mask or Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner, both recommended by "Cosmopolitan" magazine.
Step 4
Towel your dry hair and apply a styling product made for damaged hair. Try Leonor Greyl Styling Cream for dry hair, recommends "Vogue" magazine.
Step 5
Let your hair dry naturally instead of blowdrying, whenever possible. This prevents further heat damage. If you must blow dry, minimize damage by applying a heat protective styling spray before heat styling.
Step 6
Aim the hair dryer at your roots and the middle of your hair. Avoid the ends, where the most damage is likely concentrated.
Tips and Warnings
- Get a trim and ask the stylist to cut off the most damaged part of your hair--the ends. How much the stylist needs to cut depends on how damaged your hair is. Ask the stylist how much she would recommend. Try to use flat irons and other heat styling products as little as possible. Get enough of the B vitamins through your diet, or think about taking a supplement. The B vitamins, such as biotin and folic acid, are essential to healthy hair. For colored hair, use a tinted shampoo and conditioner to prolong the period between dye jobs. Dyeing hair as infrequently as possible will reduce damage.
- Do not too use too much conditioner, styling creme or protective spray, as this will weigh hair down or make it look oily. If your hair is especially thin and fine, skip the pre-treatment or the styling creme to prevent hair from becoming too limp or flat.
Things You'll Need
- Pre-treatment for damaged hair
- Gentle shampoo
- Moisturizing conditioner
- Deep conditioner
- Styling creme
- Blowdryer
- Brush
- Heat protective spray
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