Heat tools, color processing, and even the easy act of brushing, can cause hair to lose its strength. Indeed, eight out of 10 women in the US experience some form of damaged hair, according to the IPSOS Brand Health Study. But there’s excellent news, experts say.
“You don’t have to stop styling, coloring, or all the other things you love doing with your hair,” says Dr. Rocio Rivera, vice president and head of scientific communications at L’Oréal Paris. “You just need a solution that will fix and prevent the damage.”
To revive your keys and protect them for the future, consider the following:
Treat Your Hair With Care
Stick to a routine that makes you feel charming. Be sure to complete these tasks with care, shampoo and condition hair gently, avoid unnecessary friction to the hair fibers by using a wide-toothed comb (or whatever style of brush or comb your stylist recommends for your hair type), avoid tugging when combing and brushing, and think about wearing a style in your hair, at least for some time, that’s unflattering. Gentler beauty treatments mean healthier hair.
Restorative Products
“Flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers—everyday necessities that give women the short-term appearance they desire, often lead to long-term effects that cause real damage to the hair fiber,” notes Dr. Rivera. “Using a heat protectant before heat styling will prevent breakage and help hair stay strong.”
Rivera recommends eliminating the effects of heat styling in addition to protecting hair from future damage with a restorative product, such as one from Elvive Total Repair 5 Collection. The collection includes Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Leave-in, which is made with almonds and protein to restore lost protein to hair, offer 450 degrees of heat protection and make hair 15 times stronger for 97 percent less damage. Also includes a product rinse-in balm that repairs damage for up to a year at a time, fighting the appearance of split ends, weakness, roughness, dullness and dehydration.
To complete your hair repair routine, use a shampoo and conditioner tailor-made to your needs. This collection’s shampoo and conditioner, for example, is made up of a formula that contains ceramides and proteins to combat visible signs of hair damage.
Get Regular Cut
Even if you grow your hair out, it is important to trim the ends regularly to get rid of split ends and keep your hair looking healthy and glossy. Skipping regular trims can cause split ends to rise up the hair shaft, leading to extra breakage and frizz.
Check Your Lifestyle
Deficiencies of certain nutrients, stress and lack of sleep are linked to hair damage and loss, so ensure your diet is complete and contains all the required components for healthy hair. Likewise, get plenty of sleep and find ways to manage stress.
Love your styling routine but hate damaged hair? Do not give up. Whether it is dry, coarse, or split ends, hair damage is normal, and easy steps and useful tools can help you protect and bring your hair back to life.
