Hair can become damaged for many different reasons; however, the most common cause of damaged hair is chemical processing. Treatments such as perms, straighteners or relaxers and permanent coloring can cause irreversible damage to your tresses. The chemicals used in most treatments alter the structure of your hair, destroying the bonds and causing the cuticle to peel off. You can usually treat extremely damaged hair on your own, but you should enlist the help of a professional stylist every few weeks.
Step 1
Get a regular trim from a professional stylist. Hair that is extremely damaged due to chemical processing must be removed in order for stronger, healthier hair to grow. You can't repair damage that has already been done. Trim your ends every six weeks to prevent split ends and to gradually remove the unhealthy parts of your hair.
Step 2
Use chemical treatments sparingly or use every three months. If possible, avoid using any chemical processing while your hair is growing out. Adding more chemicals to your hair will only cause it to split off and break, resulting in a frizzy, damaged and dry appearance.
Step 3
Wash your hair twice a week with a shampoo formulated for damaged hair. Washing more frequently will strip your hair of natural essential oils and moisture. According to Genevieve Kiger in her book, "A Complete Guide for a Healthy Body," you should use a penny-sized amount of shampoo only on your root area if you need to wash more frequently.
Step 4
Nourish your hair with a deep conditioning treatment once a week. You can get a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask at most salons. You can also treat your hair at home using a store-bought deep conditioner for dry, damaged hair. After shampooing, apply the treatment to damp hair and cover with a towel. Let the conditioner work into your strands for twenty minutes before rinsing with cool water.
Step 5
Comb your hair after washing with a wide-toothed comb. Do not brush your hair when it's wet. According to Clarence R. Robbins in his book, "Chemical and Physical Behavior of Human Hair," brushing damaged hair when it's wet can cause further significant damage to hair that is already stressed and delicate.
Step 6
Rub a hair repair serum into dry hair before styling. Squeeze a small amount of serum into the palms of your hands. Rub your hands quickly to warm it up. Gently smooth the serum over your hair, making sure to coat all of the strands from the tip to root.
Things You'll Need
- Shampoo for damaged hair
- Deep conditioning treatment for dry, damaged hair
- Towel
- Wide-toothed comb
- Hair-repair serum
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