How to Repair Chemically Damaged Hair

Written by Linda Ray

05 December, 2018

Chemical treatments are popular with women who use them to change the styles and colors of their hair. Chemicals are used in dyes and perms, and in relaxing and bleaching products. While the results may be desirable, the side effects eventually catch up with your hair, which can be burned, dry, brittle and rough. Stopping the chemical treatments altogether is one solution that eventually leads to healthy new hair. You can take other less-drastic steps to repair chemically damaged hair and improve its appearance while you wait for new, healthy hair to grow in 1.

Limit the chemicals you use on your hair. Reduce the number of times you color or perm your hair. Instead of coloring every six weeks, wait eight or 10 weeks and then only touch up the roots. Give your hair time to rest between treatments.

Can I Repair Chemically Treated Hair Loss?

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Use thermal-activated hair products that can repair some of the damage. Avoid hot settings on the dryer and reduce your use of hot irons and hot rollers. Find products that are activated by the heat you use and that are absorbed by the hair shafts when warmed.

Apply a hot oil treatment to return some moisture to the hair follicles. Apply the warmed oil to damp hair and leave it on overnight. Wear a plastic shower cap to bed if you are worried about staining a pillow. Rinse out with warm water and a mild shampoo in the morning.

Harmful Effects of Conditioner

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Give your hair a quick fix by scrunching it while you have mineral oil rubbed into your hands. Hairdressers at the Salon Web website also report that spraying on glossers can tame damaged hair so that it doesn’t look so wild while you work to permanently repair the damage 1. Glossers contain silicone and coat the strands with a layer of oil.

Apply a good-quality conditioner to your hair and leave it on for at least 10 minutes before rinsing.

Tips

Cut your hair short if it is so damaged that no amount of product seems to help. Look for a modern style that gives you a close-cropped look while you grow in your new head of healthy hair.

Warnings

Don't blow-dry your hair completely dry. Instead, leave it a little damp so that the conditioner stays moist and the water has a chance to penetrate into the hair follicles.