Repairing Damaged Hair

We all love to change up our hair style from time to time. We love to dye it, straighten it, and curl it depending on the occasion. But all the chemicals and heat can take a toll on your hair. Damaged hair can become dry, brittle, and limp. Today, we are going to talk about repairing damaged hair and how to prevent it with future hair modifications.

Moisturizing Hair Treatments

Dry hair can be the result of over-washing and using too much heat that depletes the hair of its natural oils. To prevent dry hair, try to skip a wash now and then. When using heat styling tools, use a heat protectant to protect from hair damage. You can also use a few home remedies to soften your locks once again.

Jojoba Oil – most closely resembles the natural oils produced by our skin and scalps. It is the easiest oil for your hair to absorb and can easily be found in any drug store’s hair department.

Directions – warm oil to a comfortable temperature. Be careful not to boil it. Massage from roots to tips of the hair. Place a shower cap on and heated towel and leave on for an hour or overnight. The heated towel is essential because it opens up your hair cuticle to allow the oil to penetrate. Wash out and condition as usual.

Mayonnaise – rich in oils and good proteins. The trick is that you have to get the real mayonnaise that you find in the refrigerated section. This is the type made with whole ingredients and no added preservatives that can further damage your hair.

Directions – warm mayonnaise to the desired temperature. Massage into scalp and hair focusing on your ends. Massage for a few minutes and then wash out.

Bleached Hair Treatments

Bleached hair has been stripped of all its protein, leaving it feeling dull, limp, and brittle. This is because the bleach opens the hair cuticle and prevents moisture from being retained into the hair. Regular protein treatments after a trip to the salon can help prevent breakage. Most salons even have a special protein treatment that they can give you right after you dye it. Some home remedies include:

Manuka Honey + Coconut Oil – an excellent moisturizer and strengthener. The coconut oil has great proteins that are easily absorbed by your hair, and it also helps make the honey easier to spread throughout your hair.

Directions – mix 1 tbsp manuka honey with 1-3 tbsp warmed coconut oil. For thicker hair, you will want more oil to help spread it. Spread throughout the hair, focusing on the ends. Let sit for 30 minutes under a shower cap to prevent the oil from dripping everywhere. Wash out and condition as usual.

Rice Water – has been used for centuries for repairing damaged hair. It is all the leftover starch from rice in water that provides your hair with amazing amino acids that can help repair even the most damaged parts.

Directions – rinse half a cup of rice in warm water. Place this rice into a bowl of 2-3 cups hot water and let sit for 30 minutes. Strain and reserve the water for use. After washing your hair, rinse your hair with the rice water. Let sit for 20 minutes under a shower cap. Rinse the rice water out of your hair.

Preventing Hair Damage

Hair damage can be prevented in several ways:

• Air dry or use only cold air to blow dry hair
• Use low heat settings on heated styling tools
• Use a heat protectant
• Use a store-bought deep conditioner once a week
• Comb hair with a wide-tooth comb from tip to root to prevent breakage
• Get a hair trim every 6-8 weeks to avoid split ends
• And most of all, be gentle to it.

Try to refrain from dying and using heat styling tools as much as possible. Wear loose hairstyles that don’t tug at your roots. With these tips and hair treatments, you will be able to have the long lustrous hair you desire in no time.