Hair damage can lead to dry and frizzy looking hair. Common causes behind hair damage can be over-processing, coloring, or improperly conditioning it. When the hair cuticle (its outermost layer) is damaged, it’s dramatically raised, making it weak, fragile, and more susceptible to breakage. Give your hair some TLC to nourish and restore it back to health. Here are 8 great ways to heal dry and damaged hair:
- Do weekly hair masks: nourishing hair masks can help fix dry and damaged hair over time. Doing a weekly deep conditioning mask with ingredients such as oils, keratin, and amino acids will greatly strengthen and provide hydration to your hair.
- Do weekly hot oil treatments: you can use your favorite plant oils such as argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, etc. to make a DIY hot oil treatment. This can help protect your hair while increasing its strength, reducing frizz, and promoting blood flow to your scalp for healthier hair. Simply wash your hair, microwave 3 to 6 tablespoons of your oil(s) of choice (make sure it’s not too hot), massage it onto your damp hair and scalp, leave it on for 20 minutes, and rinse with shampoo and conditioner.
- Avoid the use of excessive heat styling tools: daily use of hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons can cause breakage and damage to your hair. Try to avoid using these tools too often and if you do, make sure to always apply a heat protectant product beforehand to protect your strands.
- Rinse hair with cold water: cold water should be used to rinse your hair at the end of your showers to seal your scalp’s pores and hair cuticles. This will help lock in moisture, prevent frizz, and add some luster and shine to your hair.
- Avoid using products with sulfates: shampoos containing sulfates can make hair dry and brittle because they tend to strip away too much moisture from your scalp. Instead, try opting for a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid any scalp dryness and irritation.
- Avoid washing your hair every single day: washing your hair everyday can strip it of its natural oils, so aim to skip a couple of days in between each wash
- Get a haircut: getting regular trims (every 3 months or so) cuts off any damaged, broken, or split ends and promotes healthier hair growth
- Use silk or satin pillowcases: pillowcases made of silk or satin create less friction on the hair and don’t absorb moisture like traditional cotton pillowcases do, so sleeping on these can help promote softer and smoother hair.