How to Clean Damaged Hair

Properly cleaning damaged hair can help prevent further damage.

Hair can become damaged by factors such as the environment, coloring, perming, bleaching, or your styling routine. Once hair is damaged, it may take different products and a change in your daily styling regimen and hair maintenance routine to repair the damage. Depending on how severe the damage is, cutting your hair may be the best course of action. You should use shampoos and conditioners that help repair and nourish damaged hair.

Things You'll Need

• Damage-treating or moisturizing shampoo and conditioner
• Wide-toothed comb

Instructions

1. Select a shampoo and conditioner that nourishes or moisturizes damaged hair. If possible, talk to your hair stylist for a recommendation on a product that will work well with your hair type and repair the type of damage you have.

2. Wet your hair in the shower. The water should be warm. Hot water can damage hair and is not recommended.

3. Place a penny- to nickel-sized amount of shampoo, depending on hair length, in the palm of your hand. Massage the shampoo into your hair for at least 30 seconds. Rinse your hair until all of the shampoo is removed and the water running from your hair is clear.

4. Step away from the running water, or move the shower head so the water is not running into your hair. Gently squeeze your hair to remove excess moisture. Place a nickel to quarter-sized amount of conditioner, depending on hair length, into the palm of your hand. Begining at the roots of your hair, work the conditioner into your hair, working out to the ends. The layer of conditioner should decrease as you work your way out. If desired, use a wide-toothed comb to work the conditioner into your hair. Allow the conditioner to sit on the hair for 60 seconds.

5. Rinse the conditioner from your hair. Run your fingers through your hair as you rinse the conditioner to aid in the removal process. Continue rinsing until the conditioner is removed and the water running from your hair is clear.

6. Turn the shower water to the coldest setting you can stand. Rinse your hair under the cold water. The cold water helps seal your hair cuticles, which helps prevents damage and give your hair a healthy shine.

Tips & Warnings

• Damaged hair should be washed no more than once every other day. It is best to wash damaged hair only once or twice a week, if possible. Washing your hair daily strips your hair of the natural oils that protect it and can lead to further damage.

References

• All Womens Talk: 12 Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair ...