1- De-Gunk Your Tresses
The products we use, and even the water we use to remove the products we use, can cause your hair to have a less-than-healthy sheen. Build-up is a serious issue with hair and can cause it to be limp, lifeless, and even cause your ends to split and feel brittle.
Getting this built up gunk off your hair is the first step in repairing damage and having healthier hair. A good clarifying shampoo, a baking soda clarifying treatment, or an apple cider vinegar rinse are great options for removing product build-up, hard water deposits, and mineral build-up on your hair. How often you need to remove build up really depends on the products you use and the water coming out of your tap. Most people could use a clarifying treatment at least once a month.
Check out two favorite clarifying shampoos on Amazon.com:
Redken Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo
Kenra Clarifying Shampoo
2- Protect Your Hair From Sun Exposure
One of the biggest culprits of hair damage, color fade, and brittle ends is sun damage. If you're not protecting your hair from the sun's UV rays, the time to start is now. And even though we are more exposed in the summer, don't forget that the sun shines all year long.
After a long day of sun exposure (trips to the beach, hiking, outdoor sporting activities) it's a good idea to give your hair a nice long hydrating treatment to keep damage at bay and help your hair stay in tip-top condition.
Check out our favorite hair hydrating treatments on Amazon.com:
Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask
Moroccan Oil Intense Hydrating Mask
3- Try a Hot Oil Treatment
Hot oil treatments infuse hair with shine and moisture. They're also super simple to do right at home. Apply your favorite hair oil generously to clean, towel-dried hair. You can also raid the kitchen and try olive oil or lemongrass oil.
Cover with a shower cap or plastic wrap and apply heat using a hot towel (fresh from the dryer), your hair dryer, or sit in the sun on a warm day. After heating the oil, allow your hair to cool at room temperature, and rinse with cool water. Hot oil treatments can be done one to three times per month depending on the amount of damage and how dry your hair is. Too much oil can cause your hair to appear greasy, so be careful not to overdo it.
Favorite hot oil treatments on Amazon.com:
CHI Silk Infusion
Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment
4- Get a Good Deep Conditioning Treatment
A weekly deep conditioning treatment is a must for repairing your hair's damage and preventing future breakage. But not all deep conditioners are the same.
It's important to find a deep conditioner that works with your hair type, won't weigh your hair down, or cause your hair to feel greasy. A deep conditioner is especially important if you color your hair because damaged hair will fade faster than healthy hair. If possible, work with your hair stylist to find the right deep conditioning treatment for your hair type.
Check out some of our favorite deep conditioners on Amazon.com:
CHI Royal Treatment Intense Moisture Conditioner
Garnier Fructis Fortifying Deep Conditioner
5- Get a Haircut
Let's face it, if your tresses are damaged, your ends are breaking, brittle and splitting, and you feel like you're losing at good hair days, a haircut (or just getting regular haircuts) will save the day.
You don't have to chop it all off (although bobs and pixie haircuts can undo all your damage without having to buy all the products). If you're not ready to go short, get a healthy trim, try layers, reinvent your face framing, or give a nod to some trendy bangs. This will remove some of the damage and make the repair process a little easier
