The step-by-step plan to restore damaged hair ♡
- 16 min reading time
Have you noticed your hair feels like a bundle of straw? If your hair breaks easily after that one colouring treatment, you're not alone. Many people struggle with damaged hair. It can happen faster than you think, even a rough brush can cause it. Unfortunately, damaged hair isn’t easy to fix, and we understand how frustrating that is. But can damaged hair be repaired? Absolutely! If you’re fed up with dull, damaged strands and want to do everything to restore your hair’s health, we’ve created a step-by-step plan to help you. With this plan, you'll get one step closer to healthy hair. If a step doesn’t fit your routine, feel free to skip or adapt it. Enjoy healthy, shiny locks again with this guide! ♡
What is damaged hair?
Let’s start with a quick explanation of your hair. The outer layer of your hair is the cuticle scales. These scales overlap each other downward from root to tip, like roof tiles. The cuticles are a good indicator of your hair’s health: with healthy hair, the scales lie flat making the hair strong and smooth. Damaged hair has cuticles that are broken or missing, so your hair feels rough. The scales don’t close well, leaving gaps that open up, resulting in porous and fragile hair.
Broken cuticles are simply broken cuticles and can’t be fixed in one wash. Ideally, you want your cuticles to stay closed so your hair remains strong with a nice shine. Two main causes of damaged hair are chemical treatments and heat styling tools. Chemical treatments force the cuticles open so your hair can absorb colour, which can damage the scales in the process.
What does damaged hair look like?
This image clearly shows what damaged hair looks like:
With healthy hair the scales fit tightly together. With damaged hair the scales open, making hair vulnerable. But how does it come to this? We’ll explain next:
How does hair become damaged?
You can get damaged hair in multiple Manways. Read the causes below; you might be unknowingly doing one of these. Better safe than sorry!
Chemical treatments
This includes hair colouring, bleaching, perManent, jetting, and more. Chemical treatments alter your hair’s structure. The building blocks that keep your hair strong are broken down or removed, weakening your hair.
Heat tools
Another cause is heat styling tools like blow dryers, curling irons and straighteners. These high temperatures aren’t great for your hair, especially without heat protection. Hair contains moisture, and excessive or improper use of heat tools dries out your hair. The result is dry hair.
Other causes
Roughly drying your hair with a towel, over-brushing, hair ties with metal parts or tight ponytails can damage hair. Also, too much sea or pool water dries out your hair. Surprisingly, stress or an unbalanced diet can also cause damaged hair.
How do you know if your hair is damaged?
Look out for these signs. Your hair...
- … feels rough, like straw
- … no longer reflects light
- … looks dull
- … is mostly porous
- … feels dry and brittle
- … breaks easily
- … has many split ends
- … colour fades quickly
- … is less elastic (healthy hair can stretch up to one and a half times its length without breaking)
- … colour turns out darker than usual (fluids penetrate easily due to damaged cuticle)
If you notice several points, it might be wise to try the step-by-step plan :)
How can I repair damaged hair?
Now we arrive at the step-by-step plan to restore your hair’s health. Feel free to skip or adjust any step to fit your routine. Let’s get started:
Step 1 - Ask your hairdresser for advice
This may seem obvious but your hairdresser knows your hair best (besides you, of course) and understands what your hair needs!
Step 2 - Trim split ends
Of course, let your hairdresser handle this; even if it’s hard to say goodbye to those centimetres, trimming makes your hair much healthier. Split ends can worsen and cause further damage, so better prevent this.
Step 3 - Watch your diet
A balanced diet is very important because it nourishes your hair from within. Vitamin and iron deficiencies cause brittle hair and may lead to hair loss. Vitamins and minerals are indispensable for healthy hair. Vitamin A is especially key for cell growth in hair and is found in fish, dairy, spinach and Sinaasappels. Proteins, iron, vitamins B, D and E are also important. Eat enough beans, soy, meat, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruit and dairy products.
Step 4 - Don’t wash your hair too often
On the one hand, it’s good to cleanse and condition your hair (always condition) so it can absorb external nutrients. But washing too often causes buildup that harms hair health. Wash no more than three times a week to give hair enough time to absorb products properly on days it’s not washed.
Step 5 - Use a mild shampoo
When washing, use a gentle shampoo, preferably without SLS, SLES (sulfates), parabens and Silicones. These can dry out hair. Shampoo opens the cuticles to cleanse and absorb ingredients well. So always use conditioner afterwards to close the cuticles; without conditioner, cuticles remain open, causing more damage.
Step 6 - Nourish, nourish and nourish again
A nourishing mask is essential alongside shampoo and conditioner. Masks deeply nourish and hydrate your hair for softer, stronger strands and provide more intense care than conditioner. Use a mask after washing with shampoo, since shampoo opens cuticles allowing nourishing ingredients to penetrate. Masks also help close cuticles leaving your hair feeling smooth. Use a hair mask about once a week instead of conditioner.
Step 7 - Always use a conditioner
As step five mentioned, conditioner is essential to restore healthy hair. Conditioner does more than close cuticles; it nourishes hair from within, reduces static and detangles hair better. Always apply conditioner after shampoo. After regular conditioner use, you can also try a leave-in conditioner that stays in your hair for all-day hydration. Replace conditioner once a week with a hair mask.
Step 8 - Rinse hair with cold water
When using shampoo, mask or conditioner, wash with warm water to help rinse out products and grease better. Avoid hot water as it can further damage hair. The Perfecte trick: wash hair with warm water (not too hot), then before stepping out of the shower, rinse with cold water. Cold water helps close the cuticles.
Step 9 - Use a serum or oil
A serum or oil can work wonders to repair your hair. These products usually contain nourishing ingredients. If your serum or hair oil contains any of these, you’re in great shape:
AMandel oil - Rich in nutrients with vitamins A, B, D and E, fatty acids and minerals. These nutrients give damaged hair a chance to become healthy and thick again, giving your hair a fantastic boost!
Argan oil - Contains vitamin E, omega fats and antioxidants. Antioxidants make hair pliable and strong. Omega-3 and -9 fatty acids help repair hair and strengthen follicles with essential nutrients. Perfect for frizz-prone hair. Argan oil protects hair from external damage, leaving it soft and shiny.
Coconut oil - A great hydrator. Hydrated hair is healthier, stronger and more resilient. It prevents protein loss and cuticle breakage. Nutrients penetrate deeply without weighing hair down as it is a light oil.
Olive oil - A natural conditioner that makes hair smooth and strong. Rich in antioxidants and vitamins A and E, it protects keratin and helps hair retain moisture.
Use products made for damaged hair consistently. After a short time, you’ll notice your hair becoming soft and regaining its shine.
Let’s take a break from the steps…
So, mild shampoo, nourishing masks, always a conditioner, and a serum or oil. But which products suit you best? We made it easy by listing some great brands. For each, we explain features so you can find the right hair care for your needs:
K18 repairs your hair in just four minutes! The Team of K18 tested amino acid sequences in the entire keratin genome for ten years. It sought a bio-active peptide to reconnect the strands Manently, restoring damaged hair to its original youthful state. And it worked! As the first product to use biomimetics to reconnect chains, your hair will feel like new! Perfect and great as a pre-treatment before chemical treatments to prevent damage. Resulting in soft, smooth, strong hair with more resilience!
- K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask - An intenSisive, repairing hair mask that restores your hair to its original state! Use after thoroughly washing your hair, for example with a clarifying shampoo. Then don’t use conditioner but the K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask. Leave it on for 4 minutes to enjoy strengthened, soft and radiant hair! Available in 5ml, 50ml and 150ml.
- K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mist - Use before applying the K18 Hair Mask. This product helps restore and care for your hair. Results have been observed in clinical studies where this Spray was used!
Olaplex - Chemical
Olaplex was developed by chemists who found a compound to repair broken bonds in your hair. Olaplex leads you to radiant, healthy hair. Their products are 100% Vegan, free from sulfates and parabens, and cruelty free!
- Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 - Use once a week before shampooing. This treatment helps maintain hair strength and protects colour. It reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair.
- Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo No. 4 - Use as the first shampoo. It’s a maintenance shampoo that restores moisture and protein to your hair.
- Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner No. 5 - Always follow shampoo with conditioner. It gently detangles, repairs and prevents split ends without weighing hair down, adding a beautiful shine.
- Olaplex Bond Smoother Leave-In No. 6 - After conditioner, apply this leave-in treatment and styling cream to damp hair for smooth, frizz-free hair for up to 72 hours. It keeps hair hydrated all day.
- Olaplex Bonding Oil No. 7 - Can be added to the Leave-in No. 6 or applied alone on towel-dried hair.
- Olaplex Bond Intense Moisture Mask No. 8 - Apply on mostly dry hair after shampoo No. 4. This mask will make your hair healthier, stronger, and easier to style.
- Olaplex Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum No. 9 - Use first in your styling routine. This serum makes hair easier to style, glossy and silky smooth! Packed with antioxidants to neutralise free radicals. Perfect for dry and damaged lengths!
- Olaplex 4-in-1 Moisture Mask - Tackles dry hair immediately! Use after washing. Perfect for more hair volume resulting in radiant, soft hair!
K18 and Olaplex focus on repair and restoration. Many brands offer special lines for damaged hair. For example, Schwarzkopf Bonacure Repair Rescue or Indola Repair. There are many brands with products for damaged hair! Here are two more:
CHI - Restorative
CHI offers a special line for damaged hair: CHI Keratin. This line transforms dry, lifeless, damaged strands into healthy, smooth hair using natural keratin proteins that improve hair elasticity. CHI Keratin products regulate moisture and repair, leaving your hair soft.
- CHI Keratin Shampoo - Start with this shampoo. It gently cleanses and repairs damaged hair by replenishing keratin. Includes essential oils such as jojoba and argan that deeply penetrate your hair shaft.
- CHI Keratin Conditioner - Use after shampoo to restore moisture balance, strengthen hair and seal the cuticle so hair retains moisture and nourishment. Leaves hair supple.
- CHI Keratin Leave-in Conditioner - An excellent treatment applied to towel-dried hair after conditioner. Leaves in to hydrate hair all day. It’s a reconstructing conditioner for extra strengthening.
- CHI Keratin Silk InFusion - Finally, the Keratin with Silk Reconstructing Complex is a great finisher that helps repair and hydrate dry, damaged strands. It improves your hair’s elasticity.
As a finishing touch, you can use the CHI Keratin Flexible Hold Spray to style your hair sensibly.
REF - Natural
REF Stockholm is a fantastic Swedish brand. Their products are 100% Vegan, cruelty free and free from sulfates, parabens and Silicones. They all contain natural ingredients that really work.
- REF Ultimate Repair Shampoo - Start with this shampoo that revives dry, damaged hair using natural ingredients like blueberries, walnut, taManu and argan oil.
- REF Ultimate Repair Mask - Use once a week. This mask makes damaged hair wonderfully soft.
- REF Ultimate Repair Conditioner - Always use conditioner after shampoo. It seals the cuticles to keep hair strong and intensely nourishes and repairs.
- REF Wonder Oil - Use after conditioner on damp hair or a small amount on dry hair. This oil is a true wonder for damaged hair, an intensive treatment to make hair healthier and stronger.
Step 10 - Pat your hair dry instead of rubbing
A small detail with big impact. Rubbing your hair opens cuticles and causes breakage. Gently patting your hair dry prevents damage.
Step 11 - Brush or comb hair as little as possible
Brushing or combing the wrong way can damage hair. Only brush dry hair because wet hair is more fragile. After showering, detangle gently with your fingers using conditioner, then brush or comb slowly from the tips upwards to avoid tugging and breakage.
Step 12 - Use the right brush
Hairbrushes come in many types, but the bristles matter most. If you have fine or damaged hair, choose a brush with boar bristles. We offer two good options:
- KASHOKI Touch of Nature Wooden Detangling Brush (3 sizes) - Made with natural boar bristles with keratin, helping your hair look healthy. Nylon ball-tipped pins detangle gently and massage the scalp. It has ionic properties to reduce frizz.
- Mediceuticals Scalpro Smoothing & Detangling Brush - Suitable for all hair types. Silicone pins protect the scalp and detangle hair gently.
Step 13 - Sleep gently :)
Avoid sleeping with wet or loose hair. Loose hair causes friction with cotton pillowcases which isn’t good for your hair. Try a satin or silk pillowcase instead, which is much gentler and more comfortable. You can also tie your hair in a loose braid or bun before sleeping.
Step 14 - Protect your hair from UV rays
You may not notice, but the sun affects your hair. UV rays from the sun dry out your hair and cause colour fading. When spending time in the sun, protect your hair with a hat or scarf, or use a Spray that shields hair from UV rays – like sunscreen for your hair. Here are some options:
- Wella Sun Protection Spray - A hair Spray specially for fine or normal hair. Protects against sunlight and leaves hair silky soft. This nourishing hair Spray gives your hair a radiant glow in the sun!
- Wella SP Sun UV Spray - A moisturizing Spray that protects skin and hair from the sun for long periods, also providing intense care for both.
- Schwarzkopf Bonacure Sun Scalp & Hair Mist - A hydrating, protective hair mist offering ultimate UV protection for hair and scalp. The non-greasy formula prevents excess oil production when used!
- Wella EIMI Oil Spritz Styling Oil - A lightweight Spray that adds natural shine and shields hair from UV damage.
Step 15 - Things to avoid
Also, avoid things that can further damage your hair:
Heat tools
Heat tools are a real don't. If you want to curl or style your hair, always use a heat protector.
Chemical treatments
If you have damaged hair and want to improve it, it’s better to postpone chemical treatments like perManent or colouring for a while :)
Chlorine and sea water
Key ingredients that dry out your hair. Check out this range of hair care products with more hydration than regular products.
Styling products
A styling product is not a care product. But we understand hairspray can be essential. Choose styling products with gentle ingredients, like Maria Nila styling products. From bouncy curls to sleek hair, there’s something for everyone. All Maria Nila products are paraben and sulphate-free.
Hair styling
Finally, avoid teasing hair and hair ties with metal parts. Instead, use a satin scrunchie, which is much gentler on your hair.
Step 16 - Patience is a virtue
As we said at the start, broken cuticles can’t be fixed overnight. Make this guide your own to keep it up consistently. Even if your hair isn’t damaged or less damaged, these tips are excellent for good hair care!
Where can I ask questions about my damaged hair?
We hope this has helped you on your way, but we understand you might still have many questions or doubts. Feel free to contact us! Send an email to info@haarspullen.nl or call us during office hours for urgent questions. We’re available Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Good luck! ♡
