Great hair days are hard to come if you have damaged hair but don’t think they are totally out of your reach. Damaged hair calls for extra TLC to restore and maintain it in a healthier form. 

Are you also looking for ways to fix your damaged hair and maintain it? Well, your search should end here because I am going to share with you an exhaustive list of top tips. These tips can work for different hair types and textures.

What is hair damage?

Damage caused to the outer layer of the hair or the cuticle usually refers to hair damage. The cuticle opens, making the hair shaft susceptible to more damage.

Damaged hair may look like:

• Brittle
• Unmanageable
• Rough
• Lackluster
• Frizzy
• Dry
• Tangled

Common hair damage causes

Before moving on to tips on how to fix damaged hair, considering common causes of hair damage can help you provide an extra layer of protection with preventive measures.

Chemical Dyes: A fashion statement by dying your hair comes at a price. And the price is hair damage. Pigments in dyes can suck out moisture from your hair, leaving it rough to touch. It is vulnerable to split ends and breakage. 

Bleaching: Turning your hair a shade or two lighter than your natural hair color is bleaching. This technique uses melanin pigment, which can make the hair dry, brittle, and rough. It can also deprive the hair of elasticity. 

Heat Styling: Heat during hair styling can open up the cuticle and make the hair porous. High temperatures can cause serious hair damage. 

Other causes behind damaged hair include:

• Hot showers
• Lack of humidity
• Exposure to the sun
• Harsh hair care
• Massaging hair too hard
• Rubbing hair aggressively, especially with a towel

How to Fix Damaged Hair 

Handle wet hair with care.

Wet hair is the most vulnerable form when it is most likely to be damaged. And the damage can potentially accelerate if your hair is fine, curly, or fragile. According to experts, hair damage can aggravate threefold more with wet hair. So you need to be extra careful with wet hair. Pull a brush through your wet hair only if it’s a brush specifically designed for the task.

A wide-tooth comb is the most recommended way to detangle hair. Avoid vigorous rubbing when you pop out of the shower. Gently blot your hair with a fluffy towel, a microfiber cloth, or a soft t-shirt. This will help you avoid friction that can put stress on vulnerable hair. Don’t use an elastic band to secure your wet hair because it can cause breakage. 

Get your hair hydrated. 

Dryness is among the most common hair problems. The dryness appears dull and cracked. This is why you should never skip your moisturizer. Hair lacking an optimal level of moisture will become brittle and fragile, just like your skin, and cause damage and hair breakage. If you are dealing with dry hair, embrace a moisturizer to keep your hair hydrated. This is one of the easiest ways to prevent your strands from becoming parched.

Trim your split ends.

If you don’t trim split ends, they will travel up from the bottom, leading to a dull, broken, frizzy mess. Keeping your hair supple and strong with fortifying shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in creams is a measure to prevent split ends in the first place. Visit your hairstylist regularly to keep split ends from getting out of control. You won’t have to lose much length, instead, stylist will remove the ends, leaving your hair healthy, strong, and unfrayed.

Get professional treatment.

Sometimes a DIY regimen isn’t enough to fix your damaged hair. That’s when you should consider professional treatment. In-salon hair professional treatments have a huge concentration of active ingredients. 

They target overprocessed or weak strands. Your hairstylist will apply a hair damage treatment right at the shampoo bowl that will make you feel a transformation immediately, as these formulas are so concentrated. 

Embrace Leave-Ins

Leave-in hair treatments and conditioners are round-the-clock bodyguards that your hair needs. They are protective measures from shampoo to shampoo because they don’t rinse out and cause damage to your hair. Leave-ins can also match your hair, as can many other products. 

A leave-in for vividly colored hair offers UV hair protection that prevents hair from fading. For best results, apply leave-ins to damp, not soaking wet, hair and use a wide-tooth comb to distribute them evenly. 

Use Heating tools at a moderate temperature. 

The use of hot tools in modern styling is common these days. But you may not know that these tools can cause serious hair damage. They can cause dryness, brittleness, and flyaways. 

According to hair pros, one of the biggest mistakes that most hairstyling people make is setting too high a temperature when styling their hair. A mid-range temperature setting on your tools is enough unless your hair is too thick or coarse. If possible, skip the hair styling tools completely. Furthermore, use a heat protector when you hit the heat for styling. 

Swim with care.

Swimming is one of the best activities for your overall health. But it can also be damaging if you do regular laps. Your hair can become brittle and fragile with salt water, chlorine, and other pool chemicals. If you are a regular swimmer, choose to wear a swim cap to protect your hair. When you are going to the beach, protect your hair from too much sun exposure, as it can dry and cause your hair to fade in color. Wear a hat or go the extra mile to use a hair mask. 

Stick With a Pro for Bold Color

Are you going with light hair? Do you want to bleach your hair? Always seek a professional’s advice when you are going to make serious changes to your hair. 

All lightening products can potentially cause huge damage to your hair. So many things can go wrong when you color hair at home. Light can’t withstand bleaching. So preferably, go for three or more folds in bold. 

Switch to a Lower-Maintenance Look

If your hair is looking fried yet you love to adore a light look, some color styles can help minimize the damage. You can choose to have yourself in balayage or a rooted look next time you’re in the salon because it is extremely low maintenance. You can also go for a demi-permanent color if you’re not covering gray hair. Semi and demi are both technically less damaging because of their low levels of ammonia and peroxide. 

Use a silk or satin pillowcase.

Brushing can cause your hair friction and tugging, which can lead to breakage. It means friction between your hair and your cotton pillowcase is likely to happen if you are a rough sleeper, which can also lead to breakage. This pillow has a soft and silky finish that’s gentler on the hair and results in fewer tangles and less frizz.

Use butter to soften strands. 

Yes, all that fat is great for restoring your damaged hair to health. It lends itself to improved shine and softness. Keep in mind that you don’t have to melt it. Simply take a few spoonfuls at room temperature and apply them to your hair. Put on a cap and leave it for an hour, then rinse it. 

Use rice water. 

Rice water is another great source to fix damaged hair. This is a traditional treatment for healthier, stronger hair and hair growth. It contains minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that create a protective seal for the hair shaft and promote healthy hair. 

• Take one cup of uncooked rice and soak it in two to three cups of water for 30 minutes or more.
• Upcycle it, apply it to freshly washed hair like a conditioner, and leave it for 20 minutes.
• Then rinse it, and finish with a conditioner if you wish to. 

Argan oil

Argan oil is rich in moisturizing agents like oleic acid and linoleic acid. It contains antioxidants like vitamin E. Manu argan oil users believe it has protective benefits for hair against heat generated by styling products or the sun. However, there is no scientific evidence that these claims are true. 

Argan oil can help battle against frizz. You can apply it:

• Apply a few drops of the oil to your wet hair before styling. 
• Evenly distribute it from scalp to tip throughout your hair. Comb it through your hair using your fingertips, or use a comb or brush to help disperse it from roots to tips. 
• Be careful to use only a small amount of oil so you won’t feel greasy.
• Argan oil is also good to use on dry hair between styling treatments. 

Final Thoughts

Damaged hair is a real concern that can be treated with the tips I listed above. These tips can provide a protective layer against any damaging impact. All you have to do is make more informed choices, and with little effort, here comes healthier hair. 

Add these tips according to your hair type and create a daily and weekly routine so you can maintain them in the long term!