Spoiler: the secret involves addressing mechanical, chemical, and heat damage.
When selecting the perfect of-the-moment style for you , a universal truth guides us all: compromised lengths does no one any favors.
Even the coolest cut and color lack the impact of healthy, well-tended lengths.
“Damaged hair has overall weakened strength, making it more porous, dry, and prone to split ends,” celebrity hairstylist and K18 Ambassador Cassondra Kaeding tells. “Each type of damage affects the hair’s integrity in different ways, requiring reparative products that go deeper and work from the inside out.
” Shab Caspara, a New York City–based trichologist and founder of hair-care platform Leona, says the most common causes of hair damage include “mechanical damage , chemical damage , and thermal damage . ” According to Neera Nathan, MD, board-certified dermatologist and chief dermatological advisor at Vegamour, hair damage typically shows up in three main ways: breakage, hair loss, and dryness.
Breakage occurs when damage to the hair shaft weakens it, causing strands to snap off. Hair loss is self-explanatory, while dryness results from damage to the outer layer of the cuticle, leading to moisture loss and hair that feels coarse and appears dull. Take it from me: Nearly two years after my big chop, I’ve found that having a bob is relatively easy to maintain overall, but it requires far more frequent upkeep.
Daily use of a multi-styler, even with a gentle touch, has also left its mark—more flyaways, a slightly more brittle feel, and a bit less movement. Mechanical damage has left my mane in a less than desirable state. So I took to TikTok, as one does, in search of solutions.
Many Abbey Yung, trichologist and hairstylist, videos later, I became more methodical about my hair-care regimen—a change that, as the experts explain, can help prevent strands from becoming weaker and frizzier over time. While there’s no way to completely undo heat damage, an overhaul of your daily product lineup can help .
Regardless of which type of hair damage you’re dealing with, there’s a path forward for gradually improving the appearance of lackluster lengths—editor-tested and expert-approved. Ahead, take a deeper dive into the common causes of damaged hair, how to identify it, and the best ways to mitigate its effects—along with a curated edit of products that work well fo rme.
If there’s a tried-and-true method for achieving longer, stronger, shinier lengths, it’s hair oiling—so tried and true, in fact, that it’s an ancient Indian practice dating back more than 5,000 years. The concept is simple: applying nutrient-rich natural oils from scalp to ends to replenish moisture and nourish the hair.
“It reduces dryness and gives your hair strength, shininess, thickness, and softness,” Ananta Ripa Ajmera, a certified Ayurvedic health practitioner, previously told. Another benefit of hair oiling—especially before shampooing? Your oil of choice acts as a protective barrier, helping prevent shampoos from stripping away natural moisture while also minimizingtreatment to my routine has made the single biggest difference in my overall hair health. After just one month, my hair already feels noticeably softer.
I let the oil sit for about 10 to 20 minutes before hopping in the shower. My current go-to is RŌZ Hair’s Willow Glen Pre-Wash Treatment Oil, which is naturally rich in fatty acids thanks to its macadamia oil base.
Meanwhile, JVN’s pre-wash oil is an excellent option for irritated scalps or thinning hair, thanks to its antioxidant- and anti-inflammatory-rich formula. For those who prefer a richer treatment, OGX’s Coconut Miracle Oil is a drugstore favorite—and one that appears frequently in Yung’s videos. And for curls and coils, Carol’s Daughter has earned more than 12,000 glowing reviews—often in rotation in The pros stress the importance of taking ensuring your shampoo and conditioner are free of harsh sulfates.
“Never skimp on shampoo and conditioner, because it’s the thing you use the most,” celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager explains. According to her, sulfate-free formulas are the way to go, as harsh detergents can strip hair of its natural oils, leading to increased frizz and dryness. What’s worked for me is rather than washing my hair less frequently and relying ontwice a week, I’ve actually increased my wash schedule to every other day, focusing on hydrating formulas at each cleanse.
These days, I reserveOne fan-favorite drugstore option is L’Oréal Paris’s EverPure Moisture Shampoo. My personal favorite, however, is Davines’s OI Shampoo—no other formula has left my hair feeling quite as silky. RŌZ Hair and Pureology also offer standout options, with formulas rich in ceramides, antioxidants, and botanical oils that help support softer, healthier-looking hair. —which work by repairing the amino acid bonds that give hair its strength and structure—have surged in popularity in recent years.
“You can improve the quality of hair with bond-building products after slight chemical damage, however, you cannot restore split ends or breakage in severely damaged hair,” says Caspara. In other words, while these formulas can help strengthen and improve the appearance of compromised strands, they aren’t a cure-all for severe damage. When in doubt, Kaeding reaches for K18’s Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask.
“It works on all hair types to reverse damage on a molecular level, by penetrating the innermost layer of the hair follicle to create stronger and smoother results. ” One of the biggest advantages of bond repair products is their versatility: They can be incorporated at multiple points throughout your routine, though finding the right fit may require a bit of trial and error. Personally, K18’s leave-in treatment is my go-to monthly—or as-needed—reset when my hair needs extra TLC.
For daily post-shower styling before blow-drying, I reach for Living Proof’s leave-in treatment in place of a traditional styling cream. Epres offers a lightweight pre-wash bonding treatment that mists evenly through the hair without weighing it down, while Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment is an rinse-out option that can be used in place of a hair mask—and remains a editor-favorite K-beauty staple.
Even if you regularly use conditioner a weekly hair mask will do your lengths some good—and yes, the two products serve entirely different purposes.
“The biggest difference between a hair mask and conditioner is the recommended frequency of use,” pro hairstylist Justin Toves-Vincilione. “Think of conditioners like a body lotion and hair masks like a body butter. Conditioners can be used multiple times a week, as they are expertly formulated with a dilution that won’t oversaturate your hair. Hair masks are intentionally formulated to deliver maximum saturation and aren’t needed or recommended to use more than once a week at the very most.
” My go-to hair mask for years has been Color Wow’s Money Masque—the jelly-like, whipped texture never weighs my hair down, and the blend of sea algae and vegetable proteins leaves hair impossibly shiny. A newer favorite of mine comes from Misé En Scene—boasting a similarly whipped texture powered by encapsulated argan oil. Another must-have?
Shu Umera’s mask, which is the most deeply conditioning of all, is the one I rely on when my hair has gone majorly dry—so good, I wrote aIn an effort to cut down on my heat damage, I’ve been setting down my multi-stylers and thermal brushes as often as possible and instead rough-drying my hair—either way, a heat protectant is still a necessity.
“Thermal protectants work wonders protecting hair from thermal damage as they provide a coating that won’t allow hair to burn so easily from excessive heat,” Caspara explains, though the first rule of thumb is to air dry or power dry with your fingers to get most of the moisture out before reaching for hot tools. That said, the type of heat protectant you use needs to align with the style you’re doing.
For heat styling , a dry spray is best—otherwise, you’re just frying your hair. Living Proof’s Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray does the trick. When you’re hope is to achieve a sleeker, frizz-free style, use sprays like Color Wow’s Dream Coat or Kenra’s Blow-Dry Spray. Even when using heat protectants, Brager recommends lowering the temperature of your hot tools altogether.
“Style hair when it’s necessary, and let your natural texture flow whenever you can,” she says.is key to minimizing additional stress on already-compromised strands, and choosing the right brush is far from a one-size-fits-all decision. “Wet hair is very fragile; handle with care,” says Brager, who recommends using a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush. She also advises working from the ends upward when detangling and allowing hair to air-dry as much as possible before heat styling.
The same level of care applies when blow-drying.
“Choose a boar bristle brush or one that has a mix of plastic and boar’s hair bristles,” says Hill, noting that these options are gentler on wet hair. “The idea is to avoid metal brushes, which can abrasive to hair fiber and scalps. ” A quality brush can make a noticeable difference, helping to reduce unnecessary tension and breakage while styling. Another way to extend the life of your style?
Protect it while you sleep with satin or silk pillowcases, scarves, hair ties, or bonnets.
“Create a signature sleep style that allows oxygen to flow through the hair to the scalp, to prevent tangling and matting in the occipital point of the head while you sleep,” explains Hill, citing twists, pin curls, large braids, and the pineapple method as excellent overnight options. By minimizing friction while you sleep, these simple swaps can help preserve your style and reduce breakage over time.
Take a seat in any salon chair, and your pro stylist will examine your lengths from signs of damage, and way forward for restorative hair care. With that in mind, the experts break down below the three main forms of damage:: Mechanical damage comes by way of wear-and-tear. Think: dragging combs and brushes through your lengths, and securing styles with taut ties.
All of these externals can lead to the breakage of individual strands, weathering : Fans of hair color and retexturizing treatments, take note. While occasional chemical processing—accompanied by a strategic and regimented hair care routine—is no cause for concern, treatments that are too frequent, too harsh, or not accompanied by proper tending can lead to.
“The only way to rectify severe thermal or chemical damage is to frequently trim off dead ends and allow for healthier hair to grow down without being affected by lingering damage,” says Caspara. Brager agrees that regular trims can reduce split ends from fraying and breaking off, allowing you to avoid more dramatic damage. : As with chemical processing, the repeated application of heat erodes the cuticle and weathers strands, leading to breakage over time.
Too-high heat can even cause immediate damage, literally singing the very strands you’re trying to style. While there’s no way to undo heat damage entirely, the experts agree that an overhaul of your daily products can help . Hair damage can vary based on hair type or texture. Nathan says breakage, for example, is more obvious in curlier hair because broken strands may stick out more.
While hair loss might be more obvious in those with thinner hair. Keeping that in mind as well as the causes of the damage will help you figure out to best treat it. For her part, Hill takes issue with the word “health” as applied to hair.
“Healthy hair is an oxymoron,” says Hill. “Hair is not a living cell or organ, and therefore has no true health quotient. Hair strands are literal protein threads, once they protrude out of the hair follicle, it becomes a fine fabric. ” From this perspective, hair should be treated with care, handled as one would a delicate textile.
Still, Hill concedes that hair in a well-maintained state should have a proper balance of hydration and elasticity, body, and movement, and should respond to the products designed for that hair fiber type and texture. As with skin concerns, hair concerns can also be reflective of internal ailments.
“The causes of hair fiber damage often have internal causes layered with the mechanical external causes,” explains New York City trichologist, citing prescription medicine intake, diet, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, age, hormones, products, and styling habits all as potential causes of damage. When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations.
First, we lean on’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity hairstylists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site. As it relates to hair treatments for damaged hair, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, type, and the concerns they address.
To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.is an LA-based pro hair stylist and K18 ambassador. Her clients include Angelina Jolie, Lily-Rose Depp, Hailey Beiber, Ariana Grande, Kate Hudson, Ciara, and more. Vogue's beauty commerce writer .
Ciarlo has been a beauty aficionado from her early age of sneaking into her mother's makeup drawer and smearing Joker-esque lipstick on her face. In her spare time, she's hunting for vintage fashion ...
Please follow us on Google to support us United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Iran War at 100 Days: Early Winners and Losers Emerge Amidst High Casualties and Market TurmoilAs the Iran war reaches its 100th day, early assessments reveal significant impacts beyond initial predictions. Up to 2,211 killed, over 22,000 injured, and more than 3.9 million displaced. Conflict spread to Lebanon, disrupted energy markets, and tested U.S. regional standing and global diplomacy. Iran retaliated with Gulf strikes, while U.S.-Israel attacks damaged Iranian infrastructure and economy, yet the regime persists. Iran imposed economic costs on Israel and Gulf states, damaged U.S. bases, and depleted munitions among allies.
Read more »
UK Defence Credibility Damaged by Delayed Investment Plan and Faulty Tank Programme, MPs WarnA critical report from the Public Accounts Committee reveals that delays in publishing the UK's Defence Investment Plan have undermined national credibility with allies. The committee also found that the problematic £6.3 billion Ajax tank programme may not deliver equipment fit for purpose, citing severe safety issues for crews.
Read more »
Terrifying arsenal of rockets Navy sailor tried to buy for mass murder of Special Forces operativesThe group wanted to fund terrorist activities and kill Americans according to a criminal complaint.
Read more »
All The Dark, Terrible, And Upsetting Things I Learned This WeekWhen she tried to leave, a violent struggle broke out inside his apartment.
Read more »