The truth about hair damage: what you need to know

Hair damage is a common concern faced by many people but the plethora of options available to address hair care makes overcoming this problem a bit overwhelming.

This blog will help you navigate through the various options available for strong and shiny hair and choosing the best products to help you identify the root cause of hair damage and offer the best solution.

Hair damage can be due to several factors such as over-processing, heat damage or environmental damage, and once the damage is done it can be difficult to get it back to its healthy state.

Types of damaged hair

The first type of hair damage can be due to heat damage which takes place when the hair is subjected to high temperatures from the different styling tools and blow dryers.

Heat damage can make the hair brittle, dry and susceptible to breakage due to the effect of high heat on the cuticles and the cortex(inner surface).

The second kind of damage to the hair comes from chemicals, which occurs when the hair is subjected to harsh ingredients that are found in traditional perming and bleaching products.

These chemicals can quickly strip away the hair’s cuticles and the natural oils and moisture from the hair, leaving it dry and prone to breakage and tangling. Color and chemical treatments are also responsible for cuticle and cortex damage.

Another type of hair damage is physical damage that can be a result of excessive brushing, tight hairstyles or using a harsh shampoo and conditioner. This kind of damage first impacts the cuticle and leads to frizzy hair, split ends and lack of shine to give an overall unhealthy appearance.

All the three kinds of damage can be highly detrimental to hair health and need to be prevented as far as possible.

Causes of hair damage

• Over washing
• Over-processing
• Dehydration
• Environmental factors

Hair damage prevention

Prevention is better than cure and the same applies when it comes to damaged hair. Here are some tips to safeguard your hair:

• Use a gentle sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that do not contain harsh chemicals that most traditional products do.
• Limit heat styling or use heat styling tools at low setting, but not before incorporating a heat protection serum
• Don’t apply excess hair color or bleach. When coloring your hair use a quality product and leave nine weeks before another treatment. Go for a natural shade or a shade darker or light. If you have to bleach your hair, use the services of a professional.
• Wet hair is more susceptible to breakage, so be careful while brushing it. Use a wide-toothed comb and avoid yanking the tangles.
• Trim hair regularly, every 6-8 weeks to prevent further damage and keeping the split ends at bay.

Hair Treatment

The first step is to assess the damage then figure out what is the cause. Once you know whether the culprit is a heat tool or a harsh chemical, you can use protein treatments, deep conditioning treatments containing coconut oil and hot oil treatments to nourish the hair. Make sure to apply a leave-in conditioner on damp hair before styling it.