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Hair repair journey: How to treat damaged hair

Healthy hair is very much in right now.

Written by
Stephanie Anderson
Last Updated
November 15, 2024
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If you've been scrolling through #HairTok or looking at the latest styles on Pinterest, you'll know that healthy hair is very much in right now.

Okay, sure, healthy hair is always in, but if it feels like it's hotter than ever at the moment, you're not wrong.

It feels like every scroll is "glass hair" this and "slicked back bun" that, but if you've got damaged, frizzy hair or over-processed hair, you'll know exactly how hard it can be to actually achieve those looks.

Thankfully, you don't have to abandon all hope — or your dreams of achieving the happy, healthy, bouncy locks of your dreams.

In this article, we'll break down all the most common causes for damaged hair, how you can identify if your hair is actually damaged, and help you figure out the best damaged hair treatment for you and your locks.

Common causes of hair damage

Let's start with the bad news — there are a whole bunch of factors that can cause damaged hair. But the sooner you work out what the culprit is for your own hair, the sooner you can get your locks on the road to repair.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, frequent heat styling is one of the main causes of damaged hair [2] — think blow-drying, straightening irons, and curling wands.

All of these strip moisture from your hair, making it dry, brittle, and prone to breakage and split ends.

Meanwhile, wearing tight hairstyles, over-brushing, or roughly towel-drying hair can cause physical stress and breakage, especially for fine or curly hair [1][4].

Your hair also doesn't love chemical treatments like bleach, hair dye, and perming and relaxing chemicals [3]. These can damage the hair cuticle, which will leave you with frizzy hair, split ends, and breakage.

Similarly, using products with harsh ingredients (like sulfates and alcohols) or products that aren't suited to your hair type can strip your hair of its natural oils, causing dryness and breakage [4].

Insufficient conditioning can also cause damaged hair, particularly if you have naturally curly or textured hair, as these hair types require more hydration [1][5].

But there are other, less obvious causes of damaged hair as well. Too much sun exposure can break down hair proteins, causing dryness, discolouration and rough texture, and environmental pollutants can also accumulate on the hair and scalp, which can cause oxidative stress, damaging your hair cuticles and your overall hair health [6][4].

And, if you live in an area where the water has a high mineral content, this can leave a residue on your hair, making it dry, dull, and harder to manage. Over time, this buildup can make hair brittle and lead to breakage.[7]

Finally, hair health can be a reflection of your overall health [8]. If your diet lacks the essential nutrients — especially proteins, vitamins and minerals — that you need, your hair can be a reflection of that.

A poor diet can weaken and slow hair growth, and even reduce your hair's elasticity, which can make hair more prone to damage.

How to tell if your hair is damaged

Let's be realistic — if you're reading this, you probably already suspect that you're dealing with damaged hair. But damaged hair also has specific, noticeable characteristics that make it look and feel different from healthy hair. Here are some key giveaways:

  • Dry or rough texture: Damaged hair will likely feel dry, brittle, and rough to the touch.
  • Split ends: Split ends are a clear indication of damaged hair that will make your locks look frizzy and unhealthy [9].
  • Frizz and flyaways: Frizz and flyways that stick up even when you're using smoothing products are an indicator of damaged hair, as this is often the result of dryness or over-processed hair.
  • Lack of elasticity: When your hair is healthy, it has a certain amount of flexibility and stretch to it. When your hair is damaged, though, it will be more inclined to snap or break easily when it's stretched.
  • Increased hair breakage: If you're finding that your hair is breaking — particularly as you brush or style it — this is a sign that your hair is damaged.
  • Dullness and lack of shine: Healthy hair will reflect light well — it's what makes it shiny. Damaged hair, on the other hand, often looks dull and lifeless. This is because the cuticle damage to the hair causes a rough surface that the light can't bounce off as easily.
  • Tangling and knots: Damaged hair is often rough, which makes it easier for your strands to tangle and knot. This can also be an indication of dry hair.
  • Colour fading: If you dye your hair and find that the colour is fading quickly, it may be because the hair shaft can’t hold colour as well when it's damaged, which will make your colour fade more quickly.

Can damaged hair be repaired?

Thankfully, yes, you can repair your damaged hair — but it's a marathon, not a sprint.

Repairing damaged hair takes time, commitment, the right products, and a good hair care routine.

But it doesn't have to be overwhelming. In fact, there are 3 main ways you can repair damaged hair and plenty of ways to prevent further damage — but more on that later!

Choose hydrating, sulfate-free products

Because sulfates can strip your hair of its natural oils and cause breakage, investing in sulfate-free hair care products will be your first step to healthier, happier locks [4].

Software's Hair Growth Shampoo and Hydrating Hair Growth Conditioner are both sulfate-free and designed specifically to give you stronger, healthier, hydrated hair.

Both products are suitable for all hair types and are packed with ingredients to nourish your hair and scalp, while encouraging hair growth.

Invest in nourishing, repairing treatments

Hair treatments will be your bestie while you're dealing with damaged hair. These include:

  • Deep conditioning: These replenish moisture, smooth the cuticle, and make hair more manageable.
  • Protein treatments: Protein helps to temporarily repair cracks and strengthen hair. But use these sparingly — too much protein can make hair feel stiff and brittle.
  • Bond-building treatments: These will repair your hair from within the hair shaft, especially after chemical treatments.

Consider bonding or reconstructive treatments

If your hair is really going through it, there are salon treatments specifically designed to help rebuild the structure of damaged hair, which can improve texture, strength, and appearance over time.

The best products for damaged hair

When it comes to caring for damaged hair, there are specific hair care products that will go the extra mile to help you restore moisture, rebuild bonds, and most importantly, prevent further damage.

Let's start with the 'this is a hair crisis' products — bond-building treatments.

These can help improve your hair's strength and elasticity, giving you softer, shinier hair. This is your go-to option for heat-damaged or chemically over-processed hair.

When it comes to restoring moisture, look for deep conditioning treatments, hair masks, and leave-in conditioners.

These products are designed to repair and protect damaged hair while helping it build strength. As a bonus, they also work to restore your hair's softness and shine without weighing it down.

Some leave-in conditioners will also protect your hair from heat and sun damage.

While we're on the topic, investing in high-quality heat protection products is an absolute must if you use heat tools. This will prevent your hair from sustaining any further damage, and they also work to detangle your locks for smooth, frizz-free results.

If your hair is looking dull or rough, a hair oil can help add the shine, smoothness and moisture it needs, without just giving you oily hair.

Using shampoos and conditioners that have been specifically formulated to nourish and protect your hair, like Software's Hair Growth Shampoo and Hydrating Hair Growth Conditioner, will also set you up for success in the long term.

And finally, a targeted serum for damaged hair, like Software's Scalp Activating Tonic, can help to deeply nourish and repair your hair by creating the optimal environment for your hair to thrive.

Like skincare for your scalp, the Scalp Activating Tonic is designed to strengthen hair anchoring, which means it protects you from hair loss and stops damage at the roots. Even better, it's suitable for all hair types.

Building a hair care routine for damaged hair

In 6 simple steps, you can bring your hair back to life:

1. Pre-shampoo treatment

Once or twice a week, treat your hair with a nourishing oil or bond-building treatment. Apply to dry hair before shampooing, and let it sit for 10-20 minutes.

This will give your hair a hydration boost before cleansing, which can be particularly helpful for dry or chemically treated hair.

2. Shampoo and conditioner

Most people will wash their hair 2-3 times a week, but certain hair types may require more or less frequent washing.

Use a hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo, and focus on cleansing your scalp, rather than your ends. Use lukewarm water — hot water can dry the hair out more.

Follow with a hydrating, sulfate-free conditioner, focusing on the ends of your hair up to mid-length, rather than the scalp. Leave the conditioner on for 3-5 minutes and then rinse with cool water, as this will help seal the cuticle.

3. Leave-in conditioner

After every wash, apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner to damp hair. Again, focus on the ends, as they tend to be the most damaged.

4. Heat protectant

Before using hot tools, spray a heat protectant onto damp or dry hair to reduce future damage and frizz.

5. Weekly hair treatment

Once a week, swap out your regular conditioner for a deep conditioning treatment or additional bond-building treatment. Apply from mid-length to ends, and leave it on for the recommended time.

You can also wrap your hair in a warm towel to help the product penetrate the hair more deeply.

6. Overnight serum

Once or twice a week, apply a small amount of a restorative hair serum to dry or damp hair before bed, focusing on the ends. This will nourish and soften your hair overnight.

How to prevent further damage

Now that you've got a plan of attack for restoring your damaged hair, the key is to make sure you're protecting it from further damage.

Step one: make sure you're getting regular haircuts and trims, just like your hairdresser always tells you to.

Trimming damaged or split ends is one of the best ways to prevent further breakage, and regular trims will keep your hair looking healthy while you work on repairing your damaged locks.

t will also prevent splits from travelling any further up the hair shaft, which is essential for minimising any future damage.

Next, you're going to want to cool it — no pun intended — on the heat tools. Limiting the use of hot tools, like straighteners and curling wands, will help prevent further damage.

If (and let's be real, when) you do use heat tools, make sure to use heat protection sprays and keep the temperature moderate.

Likewise, it's a good idea to limit the amount of chemical treatments — like bleach or dye — you do. Try to extend the time between colouring appointments, or consider low-maintenance techniques like balayage.

You'll also want to avoid any further environmental damage, so proper sun protection is a must. Invest in hair care products that provide UV protection and wear a hat when you're out and about.

If you go swimming, you can protect your hair with a leave-in conditioning treatment, or by wearing a swimming cap to avoid any salt or chlorine damage.

Another way to minimise damage is to use gentle hair care practices. A microfibre towel will reduce friction, and patting your hair dry (rather than rubbing it) will also minimise breakage, as will switching to a silk or satin pillowcase when you sleep.

Be sure to use a wide tooth comb or a detangling brush to detangle your hair, especially if it's wet, and start at the ends and work your way up, as this will also reduce breakage.

Opt for loose hairstyles over tight ponytails or braids, and use soft hair accessories like scrunchies to avoid pulling at the hair unnecessarily.

Your hair's health is influenced by your diet, so make sure you’re getting enough protein, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals, particularly biotin, zinc, and vitamin E, as these all support hair growth and strength.

Hydration is also important, as it helps maintain your hair's elasticity and resilience from within.

Finally, choose the right hair care products to protect your hair, like the ones listed above, and of course, Software's Hair Growth Shampoo and Hydrating Hair Growth Conditioner, as well as Software's Scalp Activating Tonic.

If you want to revitalise your hair from scalp to strands, you can get all 3 products in our Essential Hair Growth Routine. Get started on your journey here.

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