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How to Fix Hair Disasters

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(39 Ratings)

A stylish new hairdo can do wonders for one's self-esteem. Conversely, a poorly shorn or styled head can make even confident, self-assured people feel sheepish. While it might take Sigmund Freud to explain the reasons for this, these remedies may restore your lovely locks--and perhaps your self-esteem.

From Quick Guide: Hair Care for Women
Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

    Styling Mishaps

  1. Step 1

    If you got a bad haircut, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Return to the salon or barbershop and demand a new haircut by a different stylist or barber free of charge. Or go to a reputable salon, explain your dilemma and request a remedial haircut. Or consider using a wig, hair extensions or hair additions while you wait for the haircut to grow out.

  2. Step 2

    Bad dye job. If hair is under-colored because you panicked and rinsed too early, reapply dye and leave on for time required minus time you already had it on. If you chose the wrong color or over-colored your hair, consider using a color-removal product, available at salons and beauty supply stores. Understand that hair-coloring professionals recommend visiting a reputable salon that specializes in hair coloring to correct bad dye jobs.

  3. Step 3

    In the case of a botched perm, follow this advice. If your home perm did not take, wait three days before you visit a salon to have a professional stylist perm your hair. If the perm is overdone, apply a deep conditioner to hair from scalp to the ends. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse and set hair in large curlers. If that doesn't fix it, have a professional stylist relax your over-permed hair.

  4. Step 4

    Chlorine-green hair is not something you want to experience, to get rid of it, use a hair product designed to remove green from hair, available at salons, beauty supply stores and drugstores. For swimming, apply leave-in conditioner to hair and wear a swim cap to prevent further greening. Shampoo and rinse hair immediately after swimming. Monitor and reduce copper levels in pool water, which cause greening. If hair is dyed or permed and turns green, visit a reputable salon to have it corrected.

  5. Bad Hair Day

  6. Step 1

    Wet down hair with warm water, add styling mousse or gel, then restyle.

  7. Step 2

    If restyling is not an option, cover hair with a hat or scarf.

  8. Step 3

    Opt for the slicked-back look if a hat or scarf is unsuitable. Wet hair, add gel or mousse, pull hair into a ponytail. Allow to air-dry.

  9. Hair Conditions

  10. Step 1

    To get rid of dandruff, wash your hair with an over-the-counter shampoo designed to fight dandruff. Switch brands if the shampoo becomes ineffective after several weeks of use. Consult a dermatologist in extreme cases.

  11. Step 2

    If you get head lice, cover your work area with towels to prevent contamination of upholstery or carpets. Working under bright light, partition hair into sections and comb through hair with a fine-tooth comb (ideally a lice comb, available at drugstores). Remove lice (reddish-brown) and nits (white or clear) as you comb. Use mayonnaise to smother lice and nits while you comb. Repeat combings for two weeks. Boil the comb after you use it to sanitize it for future use. Wash towels, sheets, pillowcases, hats and other contaminated clothing in the washer with hot water. Use a hot setting to dry the items in the dryer. Vacuum contaminated fabric, upholstery or carpeting. Use an anti-lice shampoo if you prefer, but remember that these products contain pesticides. Consult your doctor before using anti-lice products if you are pregnant, allergic or have pre-existing medical conditions. Avoid treatments containing lindane, which has caused neurological damage in children.

  12. Step 3

    Should you get gum in your hair, rub peanut butter into hair and around gum and slowly work gum out of hair. Oil counters gum's stickiness. Shampoo thoroughly afterward. Mayonnaise and butter also work, but not as well as peanut butter.

  13. Hair Loss

  14. Step 1

    Understand that there is little one can do to prevent hair loss if it's hereditary.

  15. Step 2

    Use hair products for sensitive hair to avoid unnecessary wear and tear.

  16. Step 3

    Visit a dermatologist to learn about cosmetic options, including toupees, weaves and transplants.

  17. Step 4

    Remember that stress, lack of protein, medication, hormones, pregnancy, disease and poor hair hygiene contribute to hair loss.

  18. Step 5

    Be wary of products claiming to stop hair loss; results vary widely.

  19. Step 6

    Sudden, smooth, round bald spots on scalp or beard are called alopecia areata. Wait for them to disappear (usually 6 to 12 months) or visit a dermatologist for treatment.

Comments  

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kimarp said

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on 12/12/2008 help i had a razored cut layered bob and it was stacked in the back loved it but its been two months ago and my hair is growing out and it was really short from the bob it was cut earlength but the problem is one side of my hair is long and the other side is short and uneven as it is growing out i am scared to go to the salon afaird they will make it worser are shorter and i am trying to grow it out looks bad really looks bad on that one side its all hacked up cant style it are anything help some one what should i do thanks

antonette said

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on 11/8/2007 i like this cause it give good tips

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on 10/2/2007 This is what I do to deep condition my color treated hair when it starts to get frizzy. It works really well for me.

1. Shampoo scalp and rinse
2. Condition hair as usual and rinse.
3. Take a medium sized, empty, shampoo bottle and pour in a little conditioner (the same amount as you would normally use) then fill the bottle almost to the top with cool water. Shake the bottle vigorously until well mixed.
4. Tilt your head back and slowly saturate your hair with the mixture. Use the entire bottle. Allow it to sit for a few minutes then rinse with cool water.
5. I then like to blow dry my hair to make sure it dries straight.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 9/19/2006 I usually have a hard time with getting my hair the way I want it. I've tried wetting it down, using gel, but then one day I tried shaving creme. I used the gel kind (ladies you can use womens shaving gel). Put some creme in your hands, lather up let it sit for 1-2 minutes after rubbing it in. Then brush(comb) and rinse lightly. If you are concerned about the smell, just use perfume or cologne (a small amount) and say good bye to bad hair days

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 8/8/2006 I have had curly, frizzy hair my whole life. First, I wash my hair with any shampoo 2 times, then conditioner (lots), then I put my hair in a towel for 1 minute. Then I brush my hair free of snarls, and put in a non-alcohol jell/de-frizzer.

NOTE: Use as little jell as possible.

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