Hair & Chemistry

Damaged hair is something that everyone struggles with at some point in their life. A few major causes of damaged hair include brushing your hair when it’s wet, frequently exposing hair to chemicals, and the overuse of hot styling tools. There are also several little known factors that could be traumatizing your tresses, such as spending too much time in the sun and using hair care products improperly.

Breakage, frizz, and split ends may seem inevitable, but before you head to the salon to get those ends chopped off, consider trying these simple fixes to help heal your damaged hair.

Avoid the Major Causes of Damaged Hair

We all know the major culprits of damaged locks: aggressively brushing wet hair, overusing heated styling tools, and frequent exposure to chemicals. It’s not to say that you should never curl your hair or freshen up your look with some highlights, but rather try to limit these activities.

Give your locks a break from time to time by allowing hair to air dry or at least using a cool setting on your hair dryer. Additionally, since wet hair is more fragile and prone to breakage, ensure you are taking extra care by using a wide tooth comb and a detangler, if needed.

Try a DIY Hair Mask to Heal Damaged Hair

Honey is a staple in the kitchen for use in baking and as a sweetener. But did you know honey is extremely effective for healing damaged hair? The healing property of honey is due to the fact that it offers antibacterial activity, it has a high viscosity to provide a protective barrier, and it acts as a humectant to attract moisture. (Asian Pac J Trop Biomed)

Honey is a mixture of carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and other compounds. Honey contains trace amounts of the vitamins B2, B4, B5, B6, B11 and vitamin C. Minerals like calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, phosphorous, magnesium, selenium, chromium and manganese are also found in honey. (Ayu)

With all of these components, it’s obvious to see how honey can help heal damaged hair and keep it healthy and shiney. Find the recipe for a DIY hair mask to try on dry and damaged hair here.

Heat-Infused Deep Conditioning

Felicia Leatherwood, celebrity natural hairstylist, told E! News that applying a deep conditioning treatment twice a month is one step in keeping your locks shiny and nourished. Leatherwood says, “When your hair is wet, the hair cuticle opens, which allows your hair to soak up the nutrients it needs to thrive.” (E Online)

But here’s the key: you must use heat!

Heat allows the product to penetrate through the hair cuticle even further. After applying your deep conditioner to clean hair and placing hair into a plastic shower cap, you have a few options for applying heat. You could sit under a dryer, use a heat cap, or use a steamer. Whichever method you choose, make sure you give the product adequate time to work, usually between 10 to 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly afterward to reveal softer, healthier hair.

Oils for Damaged Hair

Oils are a natural way to help heal damaged hair. Some of the best oils for hair include:

Jojoba oil

Jojoba oil is unique as it is mostly comprised of long-chain fatty acid esters, along with small amounts of triglycerides, phospholipids, and tocopherols. Jojoba oil can moisturize dry, damaged hair, promote new hair growth, and give you a healthier scalp.

Coconut oil

Studies have shown that coconut oil can increase the strength of hair. This is because one component of coconut oil in particular, lauric acid (a principal fatty acid), has a high affinity for hair proteins. Due to the low molecular weight and straight linear chain of lauric acid, it can penetrate the cuticle of the hair shaft. (Journal of Cosmetic Science)

Buriti oil

Buriti oil contains high concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid) and also exerts a photoprotective effect against UVA and UVB rays that can damage hair.

Argan oil

Argan oil is composed of 99% acylglycerides, primarily oleic and linoleic acid. It can improve the elasticity of dry, brittle hair, make hair softer and less prone to frizz, reduce further strand breakage, and aid in hair growth.

While there are many additional oils you can apply to your hair to help heal damage, the oils listed above are some of the best. You can even create your own deep conditioner by combining your favorite natural oil with your normal conditioner.

Be Wary of How Nature Affects Your Hair

Believe it or not, mother nature can affect the health of your hair. The UV rays from the sun can not only damage your skin, but also the integrity of your hair. Read this post to learn why hair sunscreens are vital for keeping your locks protected and healthy.

Furthermore, the cold, windy months of winter can harm your hair as well. Utilizing a nourishing leave-in conditioner or hair mask during these seasons can aid in replacing the moisture that is lost due to the harsh weather conditions.

Take the Stress out of Healing Damaged Hair

If you’re unsure of what product to choose to help heal your damaged hair, the professionals at Shtrands can help! Shtrands is a personalized hair care service that provides you with a custom hair care regimen based on your answers to a short questionnaire. Professional hairstylists and cosmetic chemists will select the best products for you based on your answers and these products will be delivered straight to your front door. You will also receive a handwritten card with instructions and tips on how to use each product. It doesn’t get much easier than that!