How to help repair damaged hair: a comprehensive guide to healthier-looking locks

Split ends, lackluster locks and brittle strands. According to one global study in 2021, 70 percent of people consider their hair damaged in some way.

Damaged hair can lead to breakage, which can result in frizzy, unhealthy-looking hair. If the damage continues, it could eventually lead to thinning or even bald spots.

Fret not. Curbing damage can be as simple as using nourishing hair masks and brushing wet strands correctly. Read on for ways that may help repair damaged hair and some of the best hair products available at the drugstore.

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What are the most common causes of damaged hair?

First, some good news: The most common ways hair gets damaged are within a person's control. With simple changes now, people can help stop further damage.

• Mishandling wet hair. When hair is wet, it breaks more easily. Aggressively rubbing hair with a towel can cause damage. Intensively brushing, pulling and tugging on wet hair can also break the delicate strands.
• Heat-damaged hair. Sure, using a blow-dryer, flat iron or curling iron is part of the fun of styling hair. But a lot of damage can occur during these processes.
• Styling. The act of styling hair can cause stress. Think of constantly pulling hair back into a tight ponytail, bun or cornrows. This can cause damage and can lead to hair loss.
• In-salon treatments. Over time, coloring, perming or relaxing hair can cause damage, too. The more someone can extend the time between their treatments, the better off their strands will be, explains New York based celebrity stylist and colorist Reece Walker. For highlights, for example, that's ideally about 10 weeks between treatments. For treatments that are lower maintenance, like balayage, people can go up to six months between treatments, he adds.
• Environmental stressors. Daily environmental stressors, like air pollution, temperature variations and ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can also wreak havoc on strands. Research shows these factors can also affect the scalp, which means affecting hair's overall health.

How to help fix damaged hair

There are several easy ways to help tackle damaged hair, including using over-the-counter (OTC) products and making styling changes to a hair care routine.

OTC approaches

Once someone stops the processes that damage their hair, their next step is to baby their locks. Many product types, including moisturizers and oils, are designed to support damaged strands.

Another option is a hair mask that's meant to hydrate and support hair in the same way that a face mask supports the face. A few to try include:

• Eva NYC Therapy Session Hair Mask. This hair mask "smells divine and is a great vegan, cruelty-free, clean option," says New York City celebrity hairstylist and bridal expert Olivia Halpin. Another advantage? "This deep conditioner is light enough for use on fine hair," she says.
• L’Oréal Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm. This rinse-out mask deeply conditions and reinforces hair. It's also one of Halpin's favorites: It's "great for dry and damaged hair, as it targets split ends, dullness and dryness."

Styling approaches

There are a handful of methods that can help make hair look healthier that only a stylist can execute. Here are a few things to consider and discuss with a professional:

• Getting consistent haircuts. "A haircut is the best way to get rid of damage, and regular trims (every six to eight weeks) are the best way to maintain the health of hair," says Halpin. "If hair becomes damaged, whether from chemical processes, heat styling or environmental factors, a haircut is the best move."
• Bonding treatments. Consult with a professional stylist about bond-building treatments, suggests Halpin. These can rebuild the bonds that make up the keratin of hair, basically repairing damaged hair from the inside out.

How to help stop damaging hair

The first step to healthier-looking locks is to avoid the causes of damaged hair listed at the beginning of this article. Once that's in the bag, here are a few other hair-healthy ways to cleanse and style without fraying and frizzling.

Styling and combing hair

Here are some ways to make hair look fabulous without breaking strands or exposing them to damaging heat:

• Brushing and combing. Brushing hair should be done with care. Be sure not to pull or tug on hair when brushing it, carefully guiding a wide-tooth comb through it instead. When hair is wet, comb even more cautiously and only use a wide-tooth comb.
• Styling. Both Halpin and Walker are huge fans of heatless styling. For instance, consider overnight braids as a way to introduce a natural wave. Let hair air-dry 80 to 90 percent, then separate the strands into two large sections, braid and let hair completely dry before removing. Voilà! Just one of the ways to achieve heatless curls, notes Walker.
• Responsible heat styling. When using a blow dryer or straightener, use the lowest heat setting and don't go above 380 degrees, advises Halpin. Additionally, always (seriously, always!) use a heat protectant before any heat exposure.

Ways to cleanse hair: benefits of a healthy scalp

How someone cares for their scalp can lead to healthier-looking hair. When shampooing, focus on the scalp - no need to wash the length of the hair, which the AAD notes can cause the hair to get tangled, leading to damage. It suggests allowing the ends to be "washed" when rinsing out shampoo.

Cuando deciding on a shampoo, look for helpful ingredients for different hair types, including damaged hair.

Ways to protect hair from sun and other environmental damage

Excessive sun exposure to the hair can cause discoloration, dry and brittle strands, split ends, thinning and frizziness. This damage occurs when dangerous Ultraviolet A (UVA) and Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays attack hair's keratin.

People can help prevent their hair from UV rays by grabbing a hair sunscreen, which is specifically designed to protect hair cuticles. Additionally, they can throw on a chic wide-brim hat or a hat with sun protection factor (SPF), which can shield the hair and head (and ideally the face, too) from the sun altogether.

Este contenido es solo para fines informativos y no constituye un asesoramiento médico. Consulte con su proveedor de servicios de salud antes de tomar alguna vitamina o suplemento y antes de comenzar o cambiar alguna práctica relacionada con el cuidado de su salud.