Reconstructing Hair Treatments

Improve the condition of your hair with a reconstructing hair treatment.

A reconstructing hair treatment helps rebuild and restore damaged hair. If your hair is dull, flat, lifeless, brittle or frizzy it may be time for a treatment. Environmental factors and possibly minerals in your water can damage your hair. Using chemical treatments and styling your hair with heat also inflicts damage. The right hair treatment can make your hair strong and shiny again. However, you should only use a reconstructing hair treatment when your hair needs one. You will see specific signs of damage. The type of damage indicates when to use a treatment.

Things You'll Need

• Reconstructing hair treatment
• Moisturizer

Instructions

1. Check the label of the hair product closely to ascertain that it is indeed a reconstructing hair treatment and not just a deep conditioner. A conditioner moisturizes while a reconstructing treatment restores protein to the bonds in your hair. Select a product that contains protein and uses words like "strengthening," "restorative," "anti-breakage" or "renewal" on the label.

2. Wash and towel dry your hair before applying a reconstructing hair treatment. Separate your hair into four sections. Put the hair treatment on your hands and rake it through your hair, starting at the bottom and working up. Apply any additional packets if your reconstructing hair treatment has more than one step. Wrap your hair in a plastic bag and then cover with a towel. Leave the product in for up to 30 minutes unless the instructions say otherwise. Rinse your hair until the treatment is completely gone.

3. Apply a reconstructing hair treatment if you have longitudinal rupturing, which is massive cracks along the length of your hair shafts. Follow the reconstructing with a moisturizing conditioner and do not blow dry your hair.

4. Apply a reconstructing hair treatment if you have fibril disintegration, which is when your hair shafts appear ragged and frayed. Follow the reconstructing with a moisturizing conditioner and avoid blow-drying your hair.

5. Use a reconstructing treatment before dyeing or chemically treating your hair. The color or treatment works better if your hair has sufficient protein and moisture beforehand. Repeat the reconstructing treatment after dyeing or chemically treating your hair as well.

6. Apply a reconstructing hair treatment if brushing and combing your hair causes significant breakage. Follow the reconstructing treatment with a moisturizing conditioner. Wait until the condition of your hair improves before blow drying.

7. Use a reconstructing treatment once a month if your hair lacks moisture and is visibly dry. The lack of moisture causes your hair to air dry more quickly and chemical treatments to process quickly.

8. Moisturize your hair once a week and use a reconstructing hair treatment once a month if your hair shows a loss of elasticity and tensile strength. This means that your hair cannot stretch and recover efficiently. It instead reaches its breaking point easily.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask your stylist for product recommendations as not all products are the same. Allure magazine's website recommends the L'Oréal Paris EverStrong Reconstruct Shampoo and JuicyMagOnline.com recommends Dermelect Resurface Stem Cell Reconstructing Serum.

References

• JuicyMagOnline.com: Product Showcase
• Style Hair Magazine: Hair Treatment at Home
• DrAliSyed.com: Hair Damage -- It's Causes, Prevention and Cures (pdf)
• Allure: 10 Products That Make Your Hair Healthier -- Instantly