It’s always handy to have a couple of treatments for damaged hair up your sleeve. Even if your hair is relatively healthy, it's surprisingly (and worryingly) easy to wreak havoc on your strands.
There are a few common culprits – bleaching, at-home hair dye, and daily heat styling (with or without the best heat protection sprays). According to Trichologist Anabel Kingsley, the time of year can also have an impact. "Seasonal changes can affect the condition of the hair," she says. "You may notice changes after too much sun, or when you're spending a lot of time in centrally heated buildings."
How do you know when your hair’s damaged? According to Live True’s expert hairstylist Tyler Moore, “Damaged hair tends to feel dry and straw-like, often looks dull, and you'll probably grapple with frizzy hair," he explains. "You might experience split ends, dead ends, or breakage which make it difficult to style.” Curly or fine hair types can also be more prone to damage, as they're usually more fragile.
As a curly-haired beauty editor who's picked up a penchant for balayage hair, I've nailed down a solid roster of treatments for damaged hair, for those times when I've gone OTT on the bleach and heat. Let me break them down for you.
The top treatments for damaged hair
A few of our beauty editor's go-to treatments for damaged hair
Bond builders
Ask any hairdresser and they'll tell you that bond builders for hair are one of the best possible treatments for damaged hair. They're game-changers when it comes to really restoring hair health rather than just papering over the cracks and with a hit of moisture. They noticeably strengthen weak strands and can improve even the most severe damage with just one use.
While you could previously only experience the power of bond building with in-salon treatments, there are now plenty of brands offering the technology in their store-bought products, with options at every price point, and for every step in your routine. Don't be tempted to use them for every hair wash (I always am). Too much protein can build up on strands and – ironically – make them even more fragile. Leave it at least two washes before applying again.
Our beauty editor recommends...
Pre-wash treatments
Pre-wash treatments are ideal for those days when you have some extra time on your hands to give your hair a pampering. It's almost always a Sunday. These can be bond builders, but can also be things like a protective treatment for colored hair, or nourishing oils for a hydration hit before blow drying (if you're wondering do hair dryers damage hair, the short answer is yep)
You can leave these in for 20 minutes or so before washing out, or you can leave them in for hours, or overnight, depending on the sort of treatment you're after. They're a great way of boosting your wash day, providing your hair with an extra hit of what it needs.
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Hair masks
A lot of hair ranges now consist of a shampoo, conditioner, and a hair mask, for those days when your locks need a bit of extra nourishment. The best hair masks are a souped-up version of your conditioner – they're often richer, thicker, and contain more nourishing ingredients. Masks make great treatments for damaged hair as they intensely hydrate thirsty locks, but be warned – most won't actually repair your hair unless they contain bond builders or actual repairing technology.
Moore says they're a great option for most hair types. "Hair masks are often the most accessible and affordable option for treatments for damaged hair," he says. "When used in tandem with a pre-wash treatment, you can really give your hair a restorative boost."
Our beauty editor recommends...
Leave-in treatments
Leave-in treatments are, as you'd imagine, left in after washing and conditioning, to keep all that goodness on the hair for as long as possible. They're usually in cream or spray formulations, making them easier to distribute through damp or towel-dried hair.
They can be found in a useful multitasking product like your styling cream or the best heat protector, or simply a standalone leave-in conditioner, to boost hair with an extra layer of hydration. They're an extra step that's worth taking if your strands are extra dry, damaged, or frizzy.
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Can damaged hair be repaired?
According to Moore, the answer is no, not completely. "There’s no such thing as repairing hair. It's dead when it grows out of your head and once it is damaged, it can’t be undamaged."
Don't panic, there is hope for your hair. "You can however improve the look and feel easily," he says. "There are many treatments for damaged hair that will help. Most of these will work to strengthen the bonds within your hair, as well as add hydration for dryness and frizziness."
While you can't fully reverse the damage, you can help strengthen and improve locks with bond builders, and nourishing treatments like oils and masks will help hydrate and soften, leaving hair looking smoother and healthier. If you have severely damaged ends, the best thing you can do is get a haircut - trim them off and start fresh.
