How to Repair Hair Damage

The wrong brush can cause hair damage.

Hair damage is usually caused by three different factors. Your hairbrush, heated styling tools or hair coloring can be a reason for hair damage. While there are ways to treat damaged hair, the best course of action is a combination of preventative and maintenance steps. Home remedies are not long-term solutions but can temporarily refresh your hair as you are changing multiple hair care habits. However, addressing specific causes will repair hair faster and better than the use of home remedies.

Things You'll Need

• Soft bristle brush
• Heat protecting serum
• Conditioner
• Shampoo

Instructions

1. Use a conditioner that has panthenol, amino acids, silicones and mineral oil. The combination of these ingredients will strengthen, moisturize, smooth and protect your hair.

2. Apply the conditioner to dry hair first. Shampoos remove moisture, so by using the conditioner on dry hair, you allow it to work better.

3. Rinse hair thoroughly, then shampoo and condition again to fully fight hair damage.

4. Brush hair with a soft bristle brush when it is dry as wet hair breaks easily. Start at the bottom and work your way up. If you start at the roots, you risk breaking hair as tangles have to work their way through more hair. Brush out the ends and slowly move upwards to take care of any hair damage from old hairbrushes.

5. Allow your hair to air dry if possible. If you must blow-dry your hair, apply a heat protecting serum or spray to your hair before drying or styling. Use ceramic plates for a flatiron so that the heat is distributed evenly and doesn't singe hair, causing more damage.

Tips & Warnings

• Rinse with cold water to allow products to repair damaged hair. The cold water allows more of the conditioning agents to work, while hot water rinses them out.

• A hair mask or oil treatment once a week adds an additional boost to damaged hair.

• Replace old heating tools. After five years, many tools will overheat and cause hair damage.

References

• "Naturally Healthy Hair: Herbal Treatments and Daily Care for Fabulous Hair"; Mary Beth Janssen; 1999
• "The Hair Bible: A Complete Guide to Health and Care"; Philip Kingsley; 2003
• "The Green Beauty Guide: Your Essential Resource to Organic and Natural Skin Care, Hair Care, Makeup, and Fragrances"; Julie Gabriel; 2008
• "Great Hair: Secrets to Looking Fabulous and Feeling Beautiful Every Day"; Nick Arrojo; 2008