There can come a point when it seems the only way how to treat damaged hair and achieve that salon-fresh feel is to get a drastic cut. Regular trims every twelve weeks or so are advised to keep the ends healthy and fresh. However, split ends, breakage and dryness are warning signs to assess hair damage.
It's often thought that damaged hair only comes with the use of straighteners and hair dye. This isn't necessarily true. Every day mistakes as simple as using the wrong hair brush and over-shampooing can be detrimental to hair health. Keep reading to discover how to treat damaged hair.
How to tell if your hair is damaged
There are three things to assess in order to tell if your hair is damaged- elasticity, texture, and ends.
1. Hair Elasticity
Hair with poor elasticity is lacking in bounce and full of breakage. This breakage may be noticeable on its own but if not, the hair's elasticity can be determined by gently pulling at a wet strand and observing how it bounces back. If the strand only stretches a small amount or breaks off entirely, it has been damaged.
2. Hair Texture
The hair's strands should ideally feel smooth and hydrated. A brittle texture tells you that your hair is damaged and dehydrated. To quickly infuse some moisture back into your strands, try the Christophe Robin Hydrating Melting Mask with Aloe Vera.
3. The Ends
Lastly, there are the infamous split ends. The most common sign of damaged hair, a split end is usually accompanied by a rough texture. Of course, it's highly unlikely that a whole head of hair will be entirely free from split ends. However, if every second strand ends in a divide, it's time to treat damaged hair.
How to protect hair from heat damage
Now that it has been established that the hair is damaged, look at why.
The most common cause of damaged hair is heat. Heat damage can be caused from prolonged exposure to the sun's rays but more commonly from every day styling tools. Continuous use of tools with a heat over 200°C breaks the bonds of the hair to an irreversible state, which is why sometimes a cut is the only solution.
However, the Christophe Robin Regenerating Serum with Prickly Pear Oil can protect the hair from artificial heat up to 230°C. Apply it to the lengths and ends of damp or dry hair before styling to protect the hair from heat damage.
How to use a hairdryer without damaging hair
At this point the idea of 'air-drying' might seem like a plausible solution. However, air-drying can actually be more damaging to your hair than blow-drying as the fibres of the hair swell and weaken when wet. Keeping the hair wet for longer than needs be can lead to fly-aways and brittle ends.
Therefore, drying with a hairdryer is recommended. To use a hairdryer without damaging hair, simply keep it 5 inches or more from the hair while using it and use a heat-protecting serum.
How often should you wash damaged hair
There's a lot of conflicting information on this topic and the fact of the matter is, how often you should wash your hair depends on hair type and lifestyle. For example, if you exercise intensely and break a sweat, you'll find you need to shampoo more often. However, as unflattering as the thought of greasy hair is, the sebum that the scalp produces is important to maintain healthy hair. Over-washing the natural oils away can lead to hair damage and a dry scalp. To simplify: don't shampoo to prevent grease. Shampoo to solve the grease.
If the hair is damaged, the same applies. Try a shampoo specifically designed to treat damaged hair, such as this Regenerating Shampoo with prickly pear oil. The ingredients in this shampoo combine to smooth frizz, enhance with a glossy shine and leave the hair feeling rejuvenated.
How to tie up hair without damaging
Another common practice that affects hair health is scooping the hair up into a ponytail or bun. Luckily, there are ways how to tie up the hair without damaging it.
Dry before tying
Again, the hair is at its weakest and most vulnerable when wet. To prevent the harsh tugs and restricting hair-ties from causing damage, wait until the hair is completely dry.
Spray the shorter hairs
Instead of scraping back every strand into an over-tightened an up-do, use a styling brush and a natural hairspray to tame fly-aways and baby-hairs that don't comfortably reach the hair-tie.
Avoid plastic and rubber
Instead of plastic and rubber, use hair-ties made of silk, micro-fibre, or any other fabric as these create less of a snag.
Give your scalp a rest
Gently take the hair down at the end of the day to allow the scalp and strands to restore themselves at night.
The best products for damaged hair
Lastly, the products that work best for damaged hair are ones which are gentle with it.
The key is to avoid any further damage, so if you're using a hairbrush which requires tugging against the scalp, it may need replacing. For example, this Detangling Brush is made from boar-bristles which have a similar structure to hair and contain the same keratin compound. In other words, the gentle bristles will brush and detangle while lowering the risk of damage to the hair.
When shampooing, it's best to find a shampoo that's designed to repair and protect dry, damaged hair. The Christophe Robin Regenerating Shampoo multi-tasks by cleansing and nourishing with ingredients rich in Omegas and Vitamin E.
A weekly routine including a Regenerating Mask will help to rejuvenate the hair so it appears glossy, and restored. The formula of this mask includes prickly pear oil which works to improve the appearance of split ends so hair feels stronger and silky to touch.
Lastly, whether styling or not, always finish off with a Protecting Serum. Not only is it essential to protect the hair from heat damage, but will add a healthy shine and conceal any remaining split ends.