Damaged Hair

Feb 5, 2013

Fernanda D.

Hi girls! This is my first post,and the first beauty advice that I need is for my hair !
It's a brown natural long hair,almost on the waist line,kinda wavy ...well,so far so good.
The real problem is : my hair is VERY damaged ! It's very fine and keeps getting messy,full of volume on the edges and a flat root,even if I blowdry,straight it ,curl it... Some parts of the hair are so broken that are not bigger than the palm of my hand [most of them are on the back side of my hair] and there's no movement at all !
I don't do chemestry on my hair,dye it or use straightenning products,and even when I cut it in order to try to make it 'flow' more,it keeps the same. I did try the argan oil products,but didn't work out well on my hair.
I don't know what to do ! Please,help! Masks,shampoos,leave-ins,conditioners,ANYTHING ! I want my healthy hair back !

PS: My intention is to keep my hair healthy enough to keep it long as I like to use it !

Feb 5, 2013

Ana R.

The best advise I can give you is to get a haircut and get rid of all of your split ends. Also try using Moroccan or coconut oil every night before going to bed. 

Feb 5, 2013

Ann S.

It takes protein & moisture treatments to keep hair healthy

Feb 5, 2013

Amber M.

I went through a time where I damaged my hair severely and it took me 4 years to completely recover from it but let me just tell u that extra virgin coconut oil will be ur best friend. Coconut oil actually seeps into all the layers of ur hair and replenishes the natural oils u stripped from ur hair, that way ur have is not dry and therfore not so prone to damage and breakage. Don't ever brush ur hair when it's wet it makes the situation way worse and plus when ur hair is wet its in the most vulnerable state for damage! Start really babying ur hair and treat it with tlc and it will love u back w new growth. 

Feb 5, 2013

Fernanda D.

I used morrocan oil for quite a while and the hair kept pretty much the same ! I'm trying to use a moisture treatment from Garnier that's made of several oils,but it only makes difference for a day or two ! 

Feb 5, 2013

Amber M.

Coconut oil will last u longer then that I swear on that stuff. It's also good for ur skin :p

Feb 5, 2013

Amber M.

And scalp! 

Feb 5, 2013

Fernanda D.

Thanks girls! I'll look for the coconut oil :)  

Feb 5, 2013

Leanne A.

Defo av a cut also nothin else will repair split ends nothin can!!! 

Feb 5, 2013

Elliz M.

Try a nice trim . Then just soak it in some coconut oil. It'll keep it nice and soft 

Feb 5, 2013

Stephanie D.

Get a 4 inch trim, have those layers done to help your natural curls form, and I'll tell you what your problem is. While you're at the salon, ask them for a protein deep treatment.

LAY OFF THE HEAT TOOLS.

It's not magic. Heat will damage your hair and cause breakage. No conditioner is going to fix your problem if you keep stressing your hair like that. Reduce heat tools to twice a week (or not at all - that would be even better), get a sulfate free shampoo and wear your hair up at least half the time. 

Feb 6, 2013

Ulla S.

Whatever your hair-dehydrating demon—hard water, sun overexposure, your trusty flat iron—nature's sweetener can help. "Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and locks in moisture," says Cox.

To Use: Massage approximately 1/2 cup honey into clean, damp hair, let sit for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water. You can also add 1 to 2 Tbsp olive oil to loosen the honey for easier application. For extremely sun-damaged hair, trying mixing honey with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a protein-rich ingredient, like avocado or egg yolk, which will help replenish the keratin protein bonds that UV rays attack. Treatment can be applied once a month.

Photo by Shutterstock.

For Oily or Greasy Hair

"Used properly, [cornmeal or cornstarch] is an inexpensive way to remove oil and grease," says Belkin.

To Use: Pour 1 Tbsp cornmeal or cornstarch into an empty salt or pepper shaker and sprinkle onto dry hair and scalp until you’ve used it all. After 10 minutes, use a paddle hairbrush to completely brush it out. Treatment can be applied every other day.

Photo by iStockPhoto.

For Frizzy Hair

Home beauty experts swear by avocado—and not just to repair damaged hair. Its oils (which are light and moist like our own natural skin secretions) and proteins boast the best combination of nutrients for smoothing and weighing down unruly hair, explains Cox.

To Use: Mash up half an avocado and massage into clean, damp hair. Let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing with water. Amp up moisturizing power by combining mashed avocado with 1 to 2 Tbsp of a hydrating ingredient, like sour cream, egg yolks or mayonnaise. Treatment can be applied every two weeks.

Photo by Shutterstock.

For Residue-Ridden Hair

"Nothing eats through product buildup like baking soda," Cox says. Sodium bicarbonate essentially breaks down anything acidic.

To Use: Mix 1 to 2 Tbsp baking soda with small amounts of water until a thick paste forms. Massage into damp hair and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse with water, then shampoo hair. Treatment can be applied every two weeks. iuse the honey and mayonaise after a bad perm and dye job..

remember hair s dead material..nothing can cure it...it can onley look or feel healthier..best way is cut of worst piece and papmer the rest

Feb 6, 2013

Kerstie D.

Sexy healthy hair shampoo conditioner and leave in keep it moist coconut oil is best wash ur hair less give ur hair time to soak in the oils and a 2 inch haircut 

Feb 6, 2013

Stephanie D.

Dyanna, my stylist would charge me $35 for shampoo, treatment, cut and blowdry. Don't be ridiculous.

In any case, if you super super want to save money, you can get a proteinated conditioner anywhere. You just won't get the nifty head massage. She still needs a trim. 

Feb 6, 2013

Stephanie D.

*by cut I mean trimming the ends.

She charges me $20 for a full layer cut, but I have her do it dry. 

Feb 6, 2013

Fernanda D.

Girls,I don't straight my hair very often - even blowdrying for me is rare. I only blowdry my hair or use straightenning tools for some occasions...If I could say in numbers,maybe once or twice ...in a month! I always let my hair dry naturally ! I said that my hair gets messy even when I do styling on it.
And no,I can't go to the salon very often and I was looking for some home treatment.

And yes,I know that there's no "magic" for the hair,but I am trying to make it a little healthier in order to grow more. Cutting off a little will be something that I can't avoid,unfortunately :(

Feb 6, 2013

Fernanda D.

Other thing that is happening with my hair that doesn't show very much on the picture is that the back of it is seriously broken,which is the thing that bothers me the most .Still,I would have to use some "heavy moisturizing" products on it since I can't cut to that length. I try not to tie it or to use braids so i won't brake it even more. 

Feb 6, 2013

Stephanie D.

There are two options here.

1. You're leaving out information. You're basically saying you treat your hair perfectly and yet it's still a mess and has become a mess fairly suddenly. That's not normal. So, is there something you're not mentioning?

2. A recent hormonal change might be your problem. If you recently got pregnant, got on birth control, took some sort of medication etc. that might be the root of it. In that case, see your doctor.

As for product.

Cheap = Aussie 3 minute miracle
Pricey = Frederik Fekkai hair masks (they're wonderful, but they're like $35 a jar)

Oil works fine. I oil my hair with olive oil at least once a week. If you want to temporarily restore shine and smooth out the texture you can use a gloss like John Frieda Clear Shine Glaze ($10 at the drugstore). Throw it on your hair, put a cap over it and leave it on 20 minutes. Rinse very, very well or your hair will be crunchy from product residue. 

Feb 6, 2013

Emma K.

About half of my hair is really damaged too so i know where you are coming from. How long has it been this was? I've been able to grow out my hair so now the top half is normal but the bottome half wont take any kind of shape (i have really naturally curly hair). My hair was damaged from a Keratin treatment and wont do anything and i have split ends too. Try layering, getting frequent trims, and shampoo and condition only 2-3 times a week which may help. Also try to use masques! i use a great one from Target thats Shea Butter ($10) and it helps make my hair softer- even the damaged areas and helps make your root healthier so the new hair grows back healthier! Hope i helped!

Feb 6, 2013

Fernanda D.

I'm not missing anything,I just don't do very much on it...I started using new products [like i said,the morrocan oil] in January,bought some new shampoos...that's why i'm confused and don't know what direction to take! Before that,I was only used to wash my hair with "regular" products ,but right now I'm willing to start doing something with it.
I'm being honest lol,my hair is...just the way it is,and I want to do whatever I can to make it healthy again...I'm not saying that i want it instantly or that I want it to magically happen,I know that will take a while...

Feb 6, 2013

Fernanda D.

And my hair is like that for quite a while,maybe started getting worse like four months ago. Last time I went to the salon,the hairstylist said that my hair was pretty damaged,even asked if I was using my hair in ponytails on a regular basis,which doesn't happen because i hate my hair tied up in a ponytail lol ,because of the damaged and boken hair area .She recommended a different treatment that i can't remember the name well,but I decided not to,because it would let my hair totally straight,which is not what I'm looking for. 

Feb 6, 2013

Tabitha L.

Coconut oil or Moroccon oil :) Btw my hair looks just like yours and im trying so hard to keep it healthy! 

Feb 6, 2013

Stephanie D.

*scratches head*

Product buildup may be making it look worse than it really is. Try using a clarifying shampoo and see if that makes any difference at all (aside from the obviously damaged ends). 

Feb 6, 2013

Heidi-Loren B.

I would probably buy a coconut shampoo works really well on damaged hair also try a conditioner treatment. When ever you straighten/curl your hair use hair protector spray. Also don't wash your hair too much :)