How to fix damaged hair without cutting it

To be able to repair one’s damaged hair, one should first get to the bottom of the cause of the damage.

Whether it is due to too much coloring, extreme split ends, UV damage, or excessive styling, damaged hair is caused by both our own responsibility and external environmental factors. However, repairing damaged hair is also the result of a variety of other treatments and products. However, before you start adding the best-rated hair products to your cart, make sure you know what your hair really needs.

It’s important to know that hair is technically already dead. The hair follicle is the only “living” part of the hair. Outgrown hair contains no biochemical activity, which is scientifically referred to as “dead.” At the root of each hair, the strand is the living cells that produce the scalp and visible hair. For this reason, the complete repair of damaged hair is particularly difficult – but not impossible!

First, you should begin to adopt a healthy hair routine. That way, further damage can be prevented for now.

We’ve summarized the five most common causes of damaged hair and how to fix them for you in this blog post.

Broken or healed? This is how you can tell the status of your hair

The very first question is: How broken is my hair? Do I even need a hair treatment with miracle cures and tinctures? Every single hair has a protective layer consisting of protein and fat. What happens when the hair is broken?

Remember: thin hair needs more protein, thick hair needs more fat. Fine hair is therefore much more susceptible to external influences – sun and heat are particularly dangerous here.

Healthy hair

• Normally, the hair scales lie close together.
• The protein (keratin) and the fat (lipids) are in balance.
• The hair appears shiny and smooth.

Damaged hair

• When this layer of hair scales is damaged, they are patchy and stand out.
• The natural fat and protein layer is imbalanced.
• The hair lacks vitamins, nutrients, and trace elements.
• Due to the attacked hair scales, the hair becomes brittle, fragile, and dry.

Related Post: What Makes Your Hair Not Grow?

How to repair hair with a balanced hair diet?

A balanced diet is not only good for your figure, but it’s also good for your hair. In particular, ingredients such as omega-3 protein and biotin promote long, thick, and healthy hair. These substances are contained, for example, in fruits and vegetables as well as in whole grain products. They not only ensure beautiful hair but also clear skin and they promote digestion and heart health. Proteins are essential for powerful hair, as are iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. Daily supplements can also help you get the vitamins you may be lacking from your diet. However, you should consult a doctor first.

In the case of supplements that specifically promise long, strong hair, the labels should be read carefully beforehand and a doctor should be consulted for advice.

How to repair dry hair?

The lack of moisture makes the hair brittle. Dry hair occurs when not enough natural oils or moisture are produced. This is most often caused by excessive hair washing. Excessive washing can strip your hair of the natural oils it needs for optimal moisture. So skip washing your hair every day and only wash your hair two to three times a week if possible.

Also, pay close attention to the shampoo and conditioners you use. Especially suitable are products that contain ingredients that retain moisture. Avocado, olive, and argan oils are great for moisturizing (and strengthening) hair. Conditioners are especially important for preventing dry hair, but also for repairing damaged hair. Apply conditioner to your mid parting to the ends of your hair, then gently massage it in and leave it on for a minute or two longer than your shampoo. Also, make sure to rinse out all products completely.

The weather also plays a big role in causing dry hair. In the winter, the air is obviously colder but also drier than in the hot summer months. These environmental factors strip hair of its natural moisture and cause other problems such as static. It’s good to make some adjustments to your hair care routine during the winter months to ensure your hair gets the moisture it needs. If you want to know how to repair dry, damaged hair in winter, use a hair mask or deep conditioning treatment in addition to your hair routine.

How to repair heat damage?

Be it the blow dryer, the hair straightener, the curling iron – we all have our favorites and our favorite tools for styling our hair. But these useful tools are also one of the biggest causes of heat-damaged hair – that’s no secret.

Do you use a heat protectant every time you blow-dry or straighten your hair? Probably not, while doing so is an absolute must! When hair is exposed to high heat without a protectant, it gets damaged extremely quickly and is very harder to repair. Try to limit heat styling to once or twice a week and always, we repeat, always use a heat protection serum or spray.

Are there other ways to repair heat-damaged hair? Yes! Let’s start with the way you blow-dry. It’s best to blow dry your hair after letting it air dry for a few minutes, not while it’s still soaking wet. If you don’t want to wait for your hair to air dry, blot (don’t rub) your wet hair with a microfiber towel. If you use a brush when blow-drying, don’t comb too hard and use a brush with smooth synthetic bristles. This dries the hair faster and also damages it less than large, round brushes. Also, the hairdryer should be held about two centimeters away from the head to prevent damage.

Coconut oil is a lifesaver for heat-damaged hair. It is immediately absorbed into the cuticle and helps to moisturize the hair from the inside out. Pro tip: Use coconut oil before and after heat styling. There are many heat protection products with coconut oil that help retain the hair’s natural moisture while providing a protective layer. You can also use coconut oil as a mask or treatment after styling or washing. It also totally smells like a vacation, so why not?

How to fix damaged dyed hair?

Whether you have your hair recolored on a regular basis or just love going with the latest hair color trends, chemical treatment of the hair actually always causes serious damage. Even though we ourselves know how difficult it is to do without coloring, there are steps that can help keep the damage to a minimum.

For those with hair that is too extremely overused, the only option will probably be a radical cut. For everyone else, we have summarized the following tips:

• One way to prevent hair damage when coloring is to stick to more natural colors. These should be no more than three shades different from your own hair color. Unfortunately, we can’t say it any other way but bleaching hair will almost always cause damage. Therefore, it should be reduced to a minimum or even completely abandoned. It deprives the hair of its natural melanin, which gives the hair its natural pigment. Anyone who has ever lightened their hair knows how dry, brittle and fragile it is afterward. Bleaching is usually an essential step in the transition from dark to light colors but should be done really sparingly for the health of the hair.
• Skip the bleach and color the hair as infrequently as possible. Special products can be used to preserve hair color. Washing hair less frequently and with cooler water are also ways to preserve hair color longer.
• Other chemical treatments such as permanent straightening cause the same amount of damage as dyeing. Again, increase the interval between treatments and choose healthier alternatives such as straightening using keratin.

How to repair split ends?

Forgoing regular tip-cutting to avoid losing length doesn’t make it healthier – in fact, it creates the opposite effect. According to one study, women get their hair cut about three times a year on average. Depending on your hair type and the overall health of your hair, this may not be enough. Not having your ends cut regularly can lead to split ends, which in turn lead to hair breakage. Without regular trimming, hair can also become dry and dull.

How to repair other hair damage?

Pillowcases and towels made of cotton – everyday household items, which are the main culprits for damaged hair. Both of these fabrics cause damage to your hair, especially if you use a towel to rub your hair dry. Replace your cotton pillowcase with one made of silk or satin. This will protect your hair while you sleep. Bonus: Silk and satin covers are also proven to be good for your skin. Swap out your terry towels for microfiber towels, too. But even then, instead of rubbing your hair dry, definitely pat it dry.

Also like cold air, UV damage from sun exposure can make hair brittle. Lighter hair colors like blonde or gray hair are also more susceptible to UV damage. Reach for sunscreen or UV protection in sunny weather, and it’s best to wear a hat. This is the perfect opportunity to shop for accessories!

Over-styling and the wrong products – Whether it’s too much dry shampoo, blow-drying hair, or “extra hold” products, over-styling can dry out hair and lead to serious breakage and even hair loss. Use products no more than once or twice a week and avoid excessive brushing and styling.

Just because you know how to repair damaged hair, doesn’t necessarily mean that your hair will be 100% healthy. But your hair will definitely be healthier than before and that’s already the first step in the right direction. You don’t have to put all of our tips into practice at once. It’s best to start with a hair habit that is easiest for you and then expand it bit by bit.