If your tresses are looking frizzy, dull, dry or out-of-control, you may have damaged hair. Common culprits that cause damage are chemical processes, such as bleaching or straightening, and mechanical causes, including excessive blow-drying, sun, wind and teasing. If you are yearning for straight silky hair, you can take action at home to restore your supple tresses.
Check your hairbrush. The bristles should be smooth, and should not have balls on the end, according to Good Housekeeping. There should also be space between each bristle. Don't brush your hair when it's wet; this can cause further damage and breakage.
Switch shampoos. If your hair has been chemically altered, use a shampoo with protein or keratin to help rebuild the hair shaft. If your hair is dry and damaged, find a shampoo with added moisturizer. Best Health recommends alternating between the two types of shampoo to repair problem hair.
Shampoo your hair every other day--or even less often if you can--to let your hair rest and become coated with natural scalp oils. When you do wash, use tepid water, not hot, and rinse with cool or cold water.
Throw away your blow dryer if it is more than five years old, suggests Good Housekeeping. If yours is older than that, the heating mechanism is likely bad, and it may burn or ruffle your hair cuticles. Avoid blow drying as often as possible. When you do need to blow dry, towel-dry your hair first, then hold the dryer 6 to 8 inches away from your head.
Perform a hot oil treatment once a week until your damaged hair is silky smooth again. Use a commercial product, or apply olive or almond oil to your hair, wrap in plastic, blow-dry until warm and keep on your head for at least 30 minutes before washing and conditioning.
See a professional stylist regularly. Keep your hair neat by having the split ends cut off and your style maintained. If you decide to have your hair colored or curled, your stylist can recommend a pre-treatment that will help to minimize further damage.
Tip
Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to help your new hair to grow in as healthy as possible.
References
Writer Bio
Michelle Kulas worked in the health-care field for 10 years, serving as a certified nurses' assistant, dental assistant and dental insurance billing coordinator. Her areas of expertise include health and dental topics, parenting, nutrition, homeschooling and travel.