People once cheered and praised your silky smooth hair but rarely notice you when you work by now. Some nice ones walk up to you to ask if you were alright. Watching your hair move from shiny smooth to frizzled dry is traumatic. It is one of those things that fashion-conscious people dread. However, exposure to high temperatures, over-styling, and chemical processing has got you there. The big question now is, what can you do to get out of it?
In a few cases, damaged hair results from other factors than the ones mentioned above. Hair damage can be due to underlying medical conditions or from undesirable habits. For example, brushing wet hair can cause it to stretch. A 30% stretch may be harmless, but a stretch of up to 80% may lead to hair fractures. There are lots of ways you can reverse hair damage and get back your smooth texture. Keep reading to find out how.
Medical conditions that can cause hair damage
Hair damage can be an indication that you are going through other difficult situations. Therefore, it is always important to see a professional hairstylist or your doctor whenever you are experiencing hair damage. This is particularly important if you are not over-styling or using chemicals that can potentially damage your hair. A few of the medical conditions implicated with hair damage include:
- Malnutrition: deficiency in iron, selenium, folate, B-12, and Vitamin A may affect the quality of your hair
- Autoimmune disorders: scleroderma, lupus, and other autoimmune connective tissue disorders can lead to hair thinning
- Thyroid disease: under secretion of thyroid hormones (hypothyroidism) can lead to hair thinning
- Hormone imbalance: weak or thin hair can be a sign of hormone imbalance
Treating the underlying cause of hair damage will allow your hair to return to normal gradually. However, if your hair damage is not as a result of any medical condition, then you may need to set up and follow damaged hair repair regimen.
Damaged hair repair tips
The best way to protect what you cherish so much is sometimes to lose it. This is particularly the case with hairs. Once there is a shaft split, the best option will be to trim it. Experts recommend regular haircuts to prevent damage from most of the factors mentioned above. However, when your hair is still in the early stages of damage, there are damage hair repair routines that can help you to reverse the ugly trend. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends the following tips to ensure healthy hair and scalp:
- Washing: the type of your hair will determine how frequently you should wash it. Wash oily hair more often and dry hair less frequently
- Shampooing: shampoo should be applied on the scalp rather than on the hair
- Hair caps: whenever you are going to swim, cover your hair with a swim cap to protect them from chlorine and other harmful chemicals used in pools
- Conditioning: conditioners should be used frequently and adequately. Apply conditioners to the hair and not the scalp
- Hair products: only use hair products that are appropriate for your hair type.
How to reverse or manage damaged hair
Now that you know the various factors that can lead to hair damage, controlling or eliminating those factors will help your hair to heal and return to its smooth, silky nature. Below are some of the things you should do.
1. Dyes
Darker dyes cause lesser damage than lighter ones. Experts suggest you choose darker shades or those within three shades of your natural color. Ultimately, you need to dye less often. It is more challenging to maintain unnatural colors. They will require you to dye more frequently, which will cause more damage to your hair. Using olive oil on dry and flaky hair can help to rehydrate and replenish the hair.
2. Bleach
If you must bleach, then there are several things you should do before bleaching. Firstly, you need to moisturize your hair. Also, avoid heat styling or other damaging activities a few weeks before the bleaching. When hair is bleached, it becomes more susceptible to damage by ultraviolet radiation—including the one from the sun. To prevent this, you need to wear a hair wrap or a hat when going out after bleaching your hair. Alternatively, you can use UV protection sprays.
3. Heat tools
For blow dryers, keeping your hand at a distance (15 cm) from the hair can significantly minimize damage to your hair. Also, when you use lower heats, combine them with heat protective products. These products help to protect the hair from split ends.
Conclusion
In addition to using damaged hair repair products, use coconut oil to hydrate the cuticle. It also has the potential of helping the hair to restore its natural oils. This helps to guard the hair against breakage and damage. Consistently following these guides will restore your hair to its former glory.