How to Help Damaged Hair From Too Much Blow Drying & Hot Ironing

Using blow dryers and hot irons excessively leads to damaged hair.

Heat appliances such as blow dryers and straightening or curling irons damage hair by making it dry, brittle, with split ends and prone to breakage. These types of hair styling appliances use high heat and are harsh on hair--especially fine, thin hair. You can fix damaged hair that has undergone too much blow drying and hot ironing without giving up that blow dryer or hot iron completely.

Things You'll Need

• Hair scissors
• Comb or brush
• Styling products for damaged hair
• Conditioner or hair mask
• Heat protecting product
• Hair supplement

Instructions

1. Cut off the ends of your hair, which is the part of your hair that heat has damaged most. Cut off at least an inch, but more is usually better. Hair will look healthier with the dried, heat-damaged ends cut off. Do this either professionally at a salon or at home using a pair of hair scissors and a comb or brush.

2. Treat hair with styling products designed for damaged or even heat-damaged hair. Use a shampoo, conditioner and other products to wash and style hair from the same line or company or mix and match products. Using products from the same line or company gives best results since these products are made to work together to give your hair maximum benefits. It may take a few weeks or even months to restore damaged hair to its original condition.

3. Use a hair mask or specialized hair conditioner to restore hair's shine and to repair its damaged texture. Leave these types of products in hair for a few minutes to make hair shiny, hydrated and smooth. You will see a positive effect after just one use.

4. Apply a heat-protecting product to hair before using a blow dryer or hot iron. It creates a barrier, which protects hair from the intense heat and helps hair avoid future damage.

5. Blow dry hair or use a hot iron using the lowest or coolest setting. Do not start blow drying while hair is still dripping wet. According to a dermatologist's statement in Allure magazine, this makes hair look better and protects it from damage. Leave some moisture in hair by not blow drying it or ironing it completely dry.

6. Take a hair supplement to help fix damaged hair and make it stronger. These supplements start working after a few weeks. Hair grows faster and thicker. Get a special hair treatment or cocktail to repair damaged hair at a hair salon as an alternative.

Tips & Warnings

• Trim hair once every few weeks to keep it healthy and without split ends.

• Use a conditioner regularly to keep hair hydrated, smooth and silky.

• Avoid blow drying or ironing hair every day to protect it from extra damage.

References

• Allure: 6 Easy Ways to Undo Hair Damage
• Free Beauty Tips: Protecting Hair From Heat Damage

Resources

• BeautyTips.net: Dealing with Heat-Damaged Hair