How To Care For Damaged Hair

The best way to care for damaged hair is to identify why and how it is damaged in order to find the most effective treatment. Here we look at different hair types and concerns, the reasons behind the damage, the best way to treat it and how to avoid your hair from becoming damaged in the first place.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF HAIR

The shape and texture of hair can be divided into 4 categories: straight (1), wavy (2), curly (3) and kinky (4). Each one has their own sub categories.  
 
Straight hair is defined as having no curl to it, and it tends to be shiny and gets greasy quickly, as the hair's oils quickly spread down from the scalp to the tips. Straight hair can quickly lose volume and vitality due to damage and volumising products can help create body, but the underlying damage is not necessarily treated. 
 
Wavy hair can range from a loose, barely-there wave to haphazard curls and this type of hair can also be easily weighed down by too much product, and can suffer from frizz. Curly hair has a natural "S" shape and can suffer from dryness because the oils don't make it all the way down the fibre from the scalp. Kinky hair types are described as being shaped like a "Z", and can vary in texture; from fine and sparse to thick and coarse.

HOW DOES HAIR BECOME DAMAGED?

Certain hair types are more vulnerable to damage than others (with naturally fine hair the most fragile of all), but there are specific behaviours than can cause any type of hair to become damaged if you repeat them enough. While external elements such as the weather and pollution can contribute to hair damage, the main culprits are ourselves... 
 
Over-colouring, not colouring correctly or changing colours repeatedly can significantly weaken the hair fiber, which then find it difficult to close and retain fresh colour due to repeated exposure to ammonia (the substance used in dyes to lighten hair colour). The result can be damaged hair that looks dull and cannot hold colour for long.
 
Another major guilty party in hair damage is the heated styling tool. Whether a curling iron or hair straightener, hair can quickly be damaged by heat, where if used on wet hair, the fibre can blister. Even on dry hair, heated tools can impact hair’s protein structure, leaving it weaker and less resistant to damage. Simply blow-drying can dry out the hair, as the heat sucks out moisture from within the hair's cortex, which is why cooler temperatures are recommended. Steampod can be an alternative to traditional hairstyling tools as it uses a combination of steam and pro-keratin technology to protect from heat damage when straightening. 
 
Brushing or tying up hair when wet can also result in damage: as the hair is pulled tight, it risks snapping off. Ideally, let your hair dry naturally, but this if not possible, blowdry on a low temperature and stop when the hair is 80% dry, leaving it some excess moisture to soak up.

THE RIGHT WAY TO TREAT DAMAGED HAIR

Now you know your hair type and the causes of damage, you can choose the most suitable way to care for damaged hair. 

Straight damaged hair – Can be a victim of over-washing. Use a balancing shampoo (like Serie Expert Sensi Balance) with conditioner, and reduce washing to 2-3 times a week. 
 
Wavy damaged hair –A dull appearance is sometimes caused due to product build-up, and ends sometimes need attention because oil does not reach the tips, especially with long wavy hair. A clarifying shampoo such as Serie Expert Pure Resource once a week with a regular hair mask (focusing on the tips) such as the Serie Expert Absolut Repair Instant Resurfacing Masque will help treat damaged hair. 
 
Curly and kinky damaged hair – Curl Expression is our new range which specialises in the many types of curls, coils and waves in order to maintain, protect and enhance the hair.

HOW TO AVOID DAMAGED HAIR

Instead of learning how to treat damaged hair, why not prevent it from occurring in the first place?
Continue reading: How to care for and prevent damaged hair