Take a few minutes to look at your hair. Is it dull? Is it frizzy? Is it dry or is it rough to the touch? If you answered yes to more than one of these questions, chances are you are experiencing damaged hair. Hair damage usually refers to damage to the outer layer of the hair cuticle. There are many things that contribute to hair damage and luckily damaged hair can be repaired. Today I’m giving you 7 simple ways to repair damaged natural hair.
Snip Those Split Ends
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but those split ends you are trying to save, have to go! There is nothing more painful than seeing naturals trying to hold on to those straggly split ends. Regular trims are essential to healthy hair and growth. Once ends are split, they can’t be repaired. Your hair will be and look so much healthier once you cut those split ends, so don’t be afraid to snip them off.
Related: Does your Hair Need a Trim? Here are 5 Signs
Deep Condition
Deep conditioning will help improve the overall look, feel, and manageability of your hair. Routine deep conditioning will produce healthier and softer hair. You have to find a good deep conditioner that is good for your hair type. Most deep conditioners that are marketed as “masks” tend to be thicker and are great for repairing damaged natural hair. Once you apply the deep conditioner to freshly washed hair, cover your hair with a plastic cap. Use a hairdryer, heating cap, or steamer to apply heat. It is important to use heat because heat allows for the whole hair strand to become open and receive the benefits of the product.
Protein Treatment
Ninety percent of your hair is made of protein, which is why protein treatments are a must! These treatments are conditioning treatments that add protein to the cuticle layer of your hair strands. This treatment strengthens your hair, making it a lot stronger and less likely to get damaged. It’s important to maintain an adequate protein-moisture balance in your natural hair.
Use Minimal Heat
Too much heat on your natural hair can definitely cause some damage! In fact, too much use of curling irons, flat irons, and pressing combs can cause irreversible damage. If giving up heat entirely isn’t an option, then you should definitely try to tweak a few things so that you can minimize heat. For example, instead of blow-drying your hair, you could let it air dry. You can also use hair rollers, instead of the curling iron.
Hair Care Regimen
A healthy hair care regimen will definitely aid in the repair of damaged natural hair. Switch to a hair care regimen that is gentle to your hair. Make sure to pay attention to product ingredients when you buy products to incorporate into your regimen. Look for products that are free from harsh sulfates, parabens, alcohols, dyes, and artificial fragrances.
Seek Professional Help
Sometimes our hair problems can go beyond our control. That is when I highly suggest you seek a professional stylist to help repair your hair. Luckily for you, you are in the right spot! Our goal on CurleeMe has always been to support the natural hair community by making it easy to find a hairstylist near you!
Experiment with DIY Hair Masks
And lastly, there are a lot of natural ingredients that can be found right in your kitchen. If you have minor damage whipping up a DIY mask that incorporates natural ingredients can be used to repair damaged hair. Some great ingredients you can try are avocados, egg whites, unflavored yogurt, and oils. These DIY masks can get messy but your hair will reap the benefits from using natural, unprocessed ingredients.
