Chemical hair dyes, either professional or from a box. If you love dyeing your hair, try a natural dye such as tea, which might actually help to restore your hair instead of damaging it. Bleaching your hair is never good for it. Stripping out the color in your hair does a lot of damage to the shaft, and can cause your hair to get brittle and break. [1] X Research source Chemical straightening or curling, like a Brazilian blowout, relaxers, or a permanent. The chemicals that force straight hair to be curly or curly hair to be straight and sleek do a lot of damage to your hair.
When you wash your hair, massage your scalp with your fingertips and gently pull the shampoo through your hair, rather than rubbing it vigorously. Do the same with conditioner. Let your hair drip dry for a few moments before gently squeezing out the excess water with a microfiber towel or T-shirt. Avoid using a bath towel to dry your hair as it may snag on the fibers, leading to breakage.
When you first stop washing your hair every day, your scalp will overproduce sebum, since it’s used to your routine of washing it away every 24 hours. After a week or so things will balance out and your hair will no longer look greasy right away. If you have oily hair or skin, this process can take up to three or four months. If you’re concerned about your roots looking greasy on the days in between washings, use dry shampoo to clean things up. You can buy a bottle of dry shampoo or making your own by simply mixing 1 tablespoon (14. 8 ml) of cornstarch and 1/2 tablespoon (29. 6 ml) of baking soda. Sprinkle it onto the greasy areas, let it sit for five minutes, then comb it out. [4] X Research source
Try putting in your styling products or combing your hair before you let it air dry. You can even shape it into the desired look before it dries to help with styling it. If you feel you really must use heat styling tools, use them on a low setting, and save it for special occasions. You can purchase a thermal protector, which often comes as a cream or spray, to apply to your hair before you use heat. Since your hair might take awhile to be completely restored, it may not look the way you want it to at first. You might be tempted to iron out those frizzy curls or bring some life to limp, dry locks. It’s worth it to hold out until your hair is healthy; you’ll see the texture improve immensely if you’re patient.
Brushing with a plastic-bristled brush is very damaging to hair, especially when you try to brush through tangles. You end up pulling out hairs and breaking them off mid-shaft. If you have curly hair, avoid brushing it at all. Stick to using a wide-tooth comb.
Don’t use more conditioner than you need to coat your hair lightly. Too much will weigh your hair down and make it look greasy. If your ends are extremely dry, you can add a little more to that area, however. For an extra glossy finish, rinse your hair using the coldest water you can stand. This will cause your hair shaft to lay flat and appear smoother and shinier than if you use hot water. [6] X Research source
You can buy deep conditioning treatments from the store, or simply use a household item like coconut oil, almond oil or olive oil. Don’t deep condition more than once a week, since doing it too often can actually damage your hair.
For dull hair: use a tablespoon of honey or one egg white For frizzy hair: use one blended banana or avocado For dry hair: use a tablespoon of milk or yogurt For combination hair: use a combination of any of the above ingredients
Argan oil Moroccan oil Jojoba oil Egg oil
Oil massages are even more helpful. Use coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil or olive oil to gently massage your head in the shower, then shampoo your hair when you’re finished. [10] X Research source Some essential oils are said to help with hair growth. Try massaging with tea tree oil, egg oil, lavender or cedar wood oil. [11] X Research source
Get a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are harsh cleansers used in everything from dish soap to laundry detergent, and they’re too hard on damaged hair. Look for shampoos that say “sulfate-free” and are made with natural cleansers. [12] X Research source Get a silicone-free conditioner. Silicons are added to conditioner because they make hair look shiny and smooth after the first few applications. However, over time they build up in your hair and cause it to look weighed-down and dull. [13] X Research source
Eat plenty of hair-healthy foods that contain protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and iron. Try mixing starches and proteins for the best effect. Salmon, sardines, avocados, nuts, and flaxseeds are all excellent for promoting healthy hair growth. [14] X Research source Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. When you’re dehydrated, your hair can end up getting dry and brittle. Avoid smoking cigarettes. Smoke damage can make hair look dull and dried out.
Protect yourself from pool chemicals, too. Wear a swim cap instead of submerging your hair in chlorine. [16] X Research source Even air pollution can affect your hair. If you often walk or bike near traffic, protect your hair until you get to your destination. Wear your hair in protective styles like rolls and braids so that it becomes less tangled and is exposed less to the elements.
