Although you can’t truly “repair” already harmed hair, you can take measures to improve its condition over time. That often involves focused treatments and remedies tailored to what caused the damage.
Hair damage goes beyond mere split ends. Severely damaged hair develops fissures in the outer layer (cuticle). Once the cuticle lifts, the hair becomes vulnerable to more harm and snapping. It may also appear lackluster or frizzy and be harder to style.
So is it possible to transform dry, brittle strands into silky, glossy hair? The answer is not always straightforward. In many cases hair damage is permanent because hair strands are made of dead cells and cannot be biologically “repaired.”
The only true fixes are time, trimming with scissors, and preventing further harm.
Still, don’t lose hope — with attentive care and a few targeted treatments you can help smooth the outer cuticle and gradually enhance the look and feel of your hair.
If you know how it happened
Sometimes the source of your hair trouble is obvious. Dye, bleach, and hot styling tools used incorrectly can wreak havoc on your mane.
Continue reading to find out how to avoid additional damage and manage symptoms until you can remove the worst of the affected hair. You may need to combine several approaches to get the results you want.
1. It’s from dye
Whether you tried pastel hues, mermaid tones, or simply covered grays, coloring your hair at home can have effects that outlast the pigment. Chemical dyes can strip hair of its natural moisture, turning formerly smooth hair coarse.
Unless your hair was very light initially, you may also have needed to bleach before applying color (see “It’s from bleach” below).
How to limit further damage
Stay close to your natural shade. Experts suggest selecting a dye within about three shades of your natural color and favoring darker tones over lighter ones to minimize harm. Vibrant, unnatural colors are harder to maintain and require more frequent touch-ups.
Dye less frequently. Increasing the interval between coloring sessions reduces damage. If you can, wait around 8 to 10 weeks — or longer — between color appointments.
To make longer intervals manageable:
- Wash your hair less often.
- Use shampoos made for color-treated hair.
- Rinse shampoo and conditioner with cool water. Hot water can cause the cuticle to lift and let color wash out.
See a professional. Salon services can be costly, but coloring is often safer in the hands of an experienced colorist who knows which products and techniques minimize damage.
Choose semi- or demi-permanent dyes. Treatments that permanently change the hair can be so aggressive that the only solution is to grow it out and start over.
Space out chemical services. If you plan to relax, straighten, or perm your hair, schedule those procedures at least two weeks apart from coloring to allow your hair time to recover.
How to ease existing damage
Use olive oil. This common kitchen oil is a favorite in hair care for rehydrating strands and smoothing the cuticle. Olive oil, in particular, helps soften hair and restore much-needed moisture.
It’s inexpensive and easy to use. Wait a few days after coloring before doing an olive oil treatment.
Use color-safe shampoo and conditioner. These formulas are balanced to help prevent the hair shaft from swelling and the dye from leaking out. Your color will hold up better, and your hair will look and feel healthier.
Popular choices include:
2. It’s from bleach
If you’ve transitioned from dark to light, you likely understand how damaging bleach can be.
Bleach removes natural color by making each strand swell so the bleaching agent can reach the inner core and dissolve melanin, the pigment in hair.
This action can leave hair dry, porous, brittle, and fragile. Permanent structural changes often reduce hair’s strength and elasticity.
How to limit further damage
Bleach less often — or not at all. There’s no avoiding it: bleach damages hair to some degree. The less you use it, the better.
Add moisture. Before bleaching, focus on hydrating your hair and avoid other damaging practices like heat styling for several weeks.
Protect against the sun. UV rays can harm hair, and bleached strands are especially vulnerable.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat or hair wrap for protection, or use a UV-protective hair spray on exposed sections.
For extra benefits, choose products that also include conditioning ingredients.
Popular options include:
- Sun Bum Beach Formula 3 In 1 Leave-In Hair Conditioning Treatment
- Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer
- Sun Bum Beach Formula Shine On Hair Conditioning Treatment
Be mindful of chlorine. Besides causing greenish tones, chlorine can strip moisture and make hair feel more brittle and rough.
To reduce chlorine damage:
- Rinse hair with fresh water before swimming to help limit chlorine uptake.
- Wash hair thoroughly after swimming.
- Use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, or a product made specifically for swimmers.
How to ease existing damage
Use almond oil. This pleasantly scented oil can soften and strengthen strands. Rub a small, dime-sized amount onto the ends before drying to rehydrate and tame frizz.
Popular choices include:
Try a rice water rinse. It may sound odd, but research indicates the starchy water from rinsed rice can benefit hair. Inositol, a component in rice water, has been shown to penetrate damaged strands and help repair them from within.
3. It’s from heat styling
Heat styling can “cook” hair fibers, lifting cuticles and making hair more porous. Frequent or very hot styling increases the chance of lasting harm.
How to limit further damage
Blow-dry from a distance. Blow dryers are a common source of damage. Studies suggest holding the dryer about 15 centimeters (roughly six inches) away and keeping it moving reduces harm.
Use a heat protectant. These products help shield hair and reduce the risk of split ends.
Popular picks include:
Reduce the temperature. Higher heat causes more damage. Use the lowest effective heat setting and minimize the time irons, curlers, or dryers touch your hair.
Air dry when possible. Skip heat and let hair dry naturally. After showering, gently wrap hair in a towel to absorb moisture before letting it hang to dry. Avoid rubbing with the towel, which can damage hair through friction.
Air drying is also smart if you plan to style with hot tools later; experts advise using heat tools no more than about once a week.
Embrace natural styles. Try heat-free looks like salt-sprayed beach waves or celebrate your hair’s natural texture.
How to ease existing damage
Use coconut oil. This tropical oil is prized in hair care. Its molecules can penetrate the outer cuticle and hydrate from the inside, while also replenishing protective surface oils.
Look for products with coconut oil, or warm and apply pure coconut oil once a week as a deep mask.
Popular choices include:
4. It’s from skipping haircuts
Regular trims do a lot to keep hair healthy. Going too long between cuts can lead to dry split ends, and split ends can’t truly be reunited once they separate.
While the only effective fix is a haircut to remove damaged ends, there are things you can do until your appointment.
How to limit further damage
Treat your hair kindly. Follow sensible hair care routines to avoid damage so your hair looks better between trims.
Remove the damage. Get regular haircuts to take off dry, damaged ends. Your stylist can advise how often you should return.
How to ease existing damage
Use a hair mask or intensive conditioner. Masks won’t miraculously repair split ends, but they can help conceal and protect them for a time.
Popular picks include:
- Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask and Deep Conditioner
- Premium Nature Coconut Oil Hair Mask Conditioner
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask
If you don’t know the cause
When the reason for your hair problems isn’t obvious, treat the symptoms. You may need to try several of the options below to effectively address what’s happening.
1. It’s tangled
Damaged hair tangles easily. Lifted cuticles increase friction and cause strands to catch on each other more than smooth, closed cuticles do. Lack of moisture also contributes to knotting.
How to limit further damage
Detangle gently. Start at the ends and slowly work out knots as you move toward the roots. Beginning at the scalp and yanking a brush through can snap hair and create long-term damage, flyaways, and frizz.
Only brush dry hair. Unless you have textured or tightly curled hair, brush only when hair is fully dry. A wide-toothed comb can help distribute conditioner or detangler while hair is wet, but wait until it’s dry to use a regular brush. Wet hair breaks more easily and is more likely to be overstretched.
Brush less often. Ironically, brushing is when damage most commonly occurs. Brush before washing and only when necessary during the day, and be gentle.
Secure your hair. Put hair in a ponytail, braid, or loose bun before activities that typically tangle it, such as running or riding with the windows down.
How to ease existing damage
Focus on moisture. Dehydrated hair is rough, dull, and prone to static and tangles. Properly moisturized hair is less likely to mat. If conditioner isn’t enough, add a leave-in detangler to your regimen.
Popular options include:
- Aveeno Nourish + Condition Leave-In Treatment
- Shea Moisture Kids Extra-Moisturizer Detangler
- The Honest Company Conditioning Detangler
2. It’s dull and dry
Damaged hair often lacks the natural oils that coat the cuticle. Without this protection, hair loses its shine.
How to limit further damage
Wash less often. Shampoo removes oil and product buildup on the scalp, but it also strips oils from hair as it travels down the shaft. Try washing every other day — or less if possible — to help retain those oils.
How to ease existing damage
Use products formulated for dry hair. Shampoos with added moisturizers and gentler detergents prevent excessive stripping and help replenish moisture. Concentrate shampoo on the scalp only.
Try jojoba oil. Jojoba can help strengthen and rehydrate hair. It’s commonly added to conditioners, or you can apply a small amount of pure oil through the ends while hair is damp.
Popular picks include:
- Silk18 Natural Hair Conditioner
- Nature’s Gate Jojoba Revitalizing, Duo Set Shampoo + Conditioner
- Viva Naturals Organic Jojoba Oil
3. It’s fried and frizzy
Frizz indicates the cuticle isn’t lying flat and may also signal that inner fibers are exposed.
How to limit further damage
Rinse with cool water. Hot water opens the cuticle; cool or cold rinses help close it. Using cooler water can protect inner fibers and help retain natural oils.
How to ease existing damage
Pick gentler products. Harsh shampoos can strip too much oil, leaving strands hard to detangle and prone to frizz. Choose more moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
Try an apple cider vinegar (ACV) rinse. Water and products affect hair pH. If pH is too high, the cuticle can lift and cause frizz. An ACV rinse can help rebalance pH and restore shine.
Use argan oil. This Moroccan oil is deeply moisturizing and rich in vitamins A and E. It may help reduce breakage during brushing or styling. Look for argan-containing products or apply the oil to damp ends.
Popular choices include:
4. It’s brittle and breaking
Brittle hair feels straw-like and snaps easily. It’s one of the toughest problems to manage and is common in over-processed hair.
How to limit further damage
Eat a balanced diet. A diet rich in whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains benefits hair health. Nutrients such as biotin, vitamins A and C, and iron support strong, healthy hair.
Shield from the sun. UV exposure can make hair brittle and more likely to break. Lighter hair colors like blonde and gray are especially susceptible. Wear a hat or use UV protection products.
Avoid long-lasting hold products. These can dry out hair. Brushing or styling after applying them can increase the chance of breakage.
Give hair a break. Avoid dyeing, bleaching, chemical treatments, and heat styling until strands are less brittle.
How to ease existing damage
Try the soak-and-smear method. Some stylists recommend shampooing and conditioning as usual, blotting hair dry, then applying a leave-in conditioner and an oil to lock in moisture. This makes hair easier to manage.
Popular choices include:
- ArtNaturals Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioner
- Giovanni Direct Leave-In Treatment Conditioner
- Acure Organics Ultra-Hydrating Conditioner
The bottom line
You can’t reverse hair damage that has already occurred, but you can alter your habits and give your hair targeted care to improve its condition.
If you don’t notice improvement after several weeks, make an appointment with your doctor or dermatologist. They can evaluate your symptoms and determine whether an underlying issue may be causing your hair problems.
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