The step-by-step plan to restore damaged hair ♡
- 15 min reading time
Have you been struggling with dry, straw-like hair? Noticed your hair breaking easily after that one colouring session? You’re not alone; many people face damaged hair. It can happen quicker than you think—even a rough brush can cause it. Sadly, damaged hair doesn’t heal overnight, and we understand how frustrating that is. But can damaged hair be repaired? Absolutely! If you’re done with dull, damaged hair and ready to do whatever it takes to restore its health, we’ve created a step-by-step plan to help you do just that. With this plan, you’re one step closer to healthy hair. If a step doesn’t suit you, feel free to skip or adapt it. Enjoy healthy, shiny locks again with this plan! ♡
What is damaged hair?
Let’s start with a brief explanation about your hair. The outer layer of your hair consists of cuticles. These cuticles overlap downwards from root to tip, like roof tiles. Cuticles are a good indicator of hair health: healthy hair has smooth, tightly closed cuticles and feels strong and smooth. Damaged hair has broken or missing cuticles, making it feel rough. The cuticles no longer align nicely, creating gaps that open up, resulting in porous and fragile hair.
Broken cuticles are, unfortunately, broken cuticles—they can’t be fixed in one shower. You want your cuticles to stay closed to keep your hair strong and shiny. Two big causes of damage are chemical treatments and heat styling tools. Chemical treatments force the cuticles open so the hair can absorb colour or other products, but this can damage them.
What does damaged hair look like?
This image shows what damaged hair looks like:
Healthy, normal hair shows cuticles lying flat against each other; damaged hair has open cuticles, making it vulnerable. But how does it get this bad? We’ll explain next:
How does damaged hair occur?
You can get damaged hair in various Man ways. Check these causes—you might be doing some unknowingly. Prevention is better than cure, right?
Chemical treatments
Chemical treatments include colouring, bleaching, perManming, jetting, etc. They change your hair’s composition. The building blocks keeping your hair strong are interrupted or removed, weakening your hair.
Heat tools
Another cause is heat tools like blow dryers, curling irons, or straighteners. The high temperatures aren’t great for your hair, especially without heat protection. Your hair holds moisture, and heat can dry this out, leading to dry hair.
Other causes
Roughly rubbing your hair dry with a towel, too much or vigorous brushing, hairbands with metal parts, or tight ponytails can also damage hair. Salt or pool water dries hair out, too. You might not expect it, but stress or an unbalanced diet can also cause damaged hair.
How do you know if your hair is damaged?
Damaged hair shows several signs. Your hair…
- … feels rough or straw-like
- … doesn’t reflect light well
- … looks dull
- … is mostly porous
- … feels dry and brittle
- … breaks easily
- … has many split ends
- … colour fades quickly
- … is less elastic (healthy hair stretches up to 150% of its length)
- … dye appears darker than usual (fluids easily penetrate damaged hair shaft)
If you recognise several points, it might be wise to try the step-by-step plan :)
How can I restore damaged hair?
Now we’re finally at the steps to restore healthy hair. If one step doesn’t quite suit you, skip or adjust it to fit your routine. Let’s do this:
Step 1 - Ask your hairdresser for advice
This one is obvious… But they know your hair (besides you, of course) best and understand its needs!
Step 2 - Trim your split ends
Get this done at the hairdresser too. It might be hard to let go of those centimetres, but it makes your hair healthier. Split ends can split further, ruining your hair completely. You want to prevent that.
Step 3 - Watch your diet
A varied diet is vital as it nourishes your hair from within. Vitamin or iron deficiencies cause brittleness and even hair loss. Vitamins and minerals are essential for healthy hair. Vitamin A is especially important for hair cell structure. Find it in fish, dairy, spinach, and Sioranges. Protein, iron, and vitamins B, D, and E are also key. Eat beans, soy, meat, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruit, and dairy.
Step 4 - Don’t wash your hair too often
Washing and conditioning (always condition!) is good because your hair can absorb external nutrients. Washing too often causes build-up, harming hair health. Wash no more than three times a week, letting your hair absorb products on non-wash days.
Step 5 - Use a gentle shampoo
When you wash your hair, choose a gentle shampoo—preferably free of SLS, SLES (sulphates), parabens, and Siilicons. These ingredients dry out hair. Shampoo opens your cuticles to cleanse and absorb nutrients, so always follow with a conditioner to close them. Using only shampoo leaves cuticles open, causing more damage.
Step 6 - Nourish, nourish, and nourish again
Besides shampoo and conditioner, a nourishing mask is essential. Masks deeply hydrate and strengthen your hair, providing more intense care than conditioner. Use a mask after shampooing; shampoo opens cuticles so the mask’s nutrients absorb well. Masks also close cuticles so your hair feels smooth. Use a hair mask about once a week instead of conditioner.
Step 7 - Always use a conditioner
Step five said it already: a conditioner is essential for healthy hair. It does more than close cuticles—it nourishes hair from inside, reduces static, and improves combing. Use conditioner after shampoo every time. After your regular conditioner, you can use a leave-in conditioner for all-day hydration. Replace conditioner once a week with a hair mask.
Step 8 - Rinse your hair with cold water
Use warm water for shampoo, masks, and conditioner. Warm water rinses hair care products more easily and removes grease better. Avoid very hot water as it can damage hair. The trick: wash with warm water (not hot), then rinse with cold water before you step out of the shower. Cold water closes your cuticles.
Step 9 - Use a serum or oil
A serum or oil can work wonders for your hair. These products usually have nourishing ingredients. Your serum or oil is good if it contains:
AMandel oil - It’s rich in nutrients and contains vitamins (A, B, D, and E), fatty acids, and minerals. These help damaged hair regain strength and thickness. It gives your hair a great boost!
Argan oil - Contains vitamin E, omega fats, and antioxidants. Antioxidants keep hair supple and strong. Omega-3 and -9 fats help hair recovery by nourishing the roots. These fats are perfect for frizz-prone hair. Argan oil protects against environmental damage and leaves hair soft with shine.
Coconut oil - Excellent for hydration. Hydrated hair is healthier, stronger, and more resilient. Coconut oil prevents protein loss and cuticle damage. It penetrates deep and is light, so it won’t weigh your hair down.
Olive oil - A natural conditioner. It smooths and strengthens hair. Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and vitamins (A and E) that protect keratin and help retain moisture.
Use specialised products for damaged hair and apply consistently. You’ll notice your hair getting soft and shiny after a short while.
Let’s take a break from the steps…
So, gentle shampoo, nourishing masks, always conditioner, and a serum/oil. Which products suit you best? We’ve made it easy by listing great brands with their highlights so you can find the best fit:
K18 repairs your hair in just four minutes! The Team of K18 tested amino acid sequences in the entire keratin genome of human hair for ten years. It searched for a bio-active peptide to glue them all Manly together. This means damaged hair is restored to its original, youthful state. K18 is the first product using biomimetics to reconnect chains, making your hair feel new again! Perfect and perfect as a pre-treatment before chemical processes to prevent damage. The result: soft, smooth, strong hair with more resilience!
- K18 Leave-In Repair Hair Mask - An intense, repairing mask that returns 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 in for four minutes for stronger, softer, radiant hair! Available in three sizes: 5ml, 50ml and 150ml.
- K18 Molecular Repair Hair Mist - Use before the K18 Hair Mask. This prepares and nourishes hair for repair. Clinical studies show effective results with this Spray.
Olaplex - Chemical
Olaplex developers are chemists who found a bond-building agent that repairs broken hair links. Olaplex helps you achieve radiant, healthy hair. Their products are 100% Vegan, sulphate- and paraben-free, and cruelty-free!
- Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 - Use once a week before shampooing. This Perfector strengthens hair and protects colour. It reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair.
- Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo No. 4 - Use first. This maintenance shampoo hydrates and repairs hair with moisture and protein.
- Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner No. 5 - Always follow shampoo with conditioner. It detangles gently, repairs, prevents split ends, doesn’t weigh hair down, and adds shine.
- Olaplex Bond Smoother Leave-In No. 6 - Apply on damp hair after conditioner. This treatment and styling cream smooths hair and controls frizz for up to 72 hours, keeping hair hydrated all day.
- Olaplex Bonding Oil No. 7 - Use with Leave-In No. 6 or alone on towel-dried hair.
- Olaplex Bond Intense Moisture Mask No. 8 - After shampoo No. 4, apply on damp hair. Makes hair healthier, stronger, and easier to style.
- Olaplex Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum No. 9 - Start your styling routine with this serum. It makes hair easier to style, shiny, and silky. Packed with antioxidants to neutralise free radicals. Perfect for dry, damaged lengths!
- Olaplex 4-in-1 Moisture Mask - Tackles dry hair immediately! Use after washing your hair. Perfect for more volume, resulting in radiant, soft hair!
K18 and Olaplex focus on repairing and restoring hair. Many brands offer special damaged hair care lines, like Schwarzkopf Bonacure Repair Rescue or Indola Repair. Here are two more brands with special products:
CHI - Restorative
CHI has a special line for damaged hair: CHI Keratin. This line transforms dry, lifeless, damaged locks into healthy, smooth hair using natural keratin protein that improves elasticity. CHI Keratin products regulate moisture and repair, leaving hair soft.
- CHI Keratin Shampoo - Use first. Cleans gently and repairs damaged locks by replenishing keratin. Contains essential oils like jojoba and argan that penetrate the hair shaft.
- CHI Keratin Conditioner - Use after shampoo. Restores moisture balance, strengthens locks, and seals the cuticle layer to retain nutrients and moisture, leaving hair supple.
- CHI Keratin Leave-in Conditioner - A great treatment applied to towel-dried hair after conditioner. Leave in for all-day hydration. A reconstructing conditioner for extra strengthening after conditioner.
- CHI Keratin Silk InFusion - This hair milk with Silk Reconstructing Complex finishes by restoring dry, damaged locks and improving elasticity.
As a finishing touch, use the CHI Keratin Flexible Hold Spray to style your locks gently.
REF - Natural
REF Stockholm is a fantastic brand from Sweden. Their products are 100% Vegan, cruelty-free, and free of sulphates, parabens, and Siilicons. They contain natural ingredients that really work.
- REF Ultimate Repair Shampoo - Start with this shampoo to revive dry, damaged hair with natural ingredients like blueberry, 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 after shampoo. It seals cuticles to keep hair strong and provides intense repair and care.
- REF Wonder Oil - Use after conditioner on lightly damp hair or on dry hair in small amounts. This intensive oil treatment strengthens and improves damaged hair.
Step 10 - Pat your hair dry instead of rubbing
A small detail with big impact. Rubbing opens your cuticles, causing breakage. Pat your hair gently to avoid damage.
Step 11 - Brush or comb minimally
Brushing or combing the wrong way can damage hair. Only brush dry hair since wet hair is more fragile. After showering, use conditioner and gently detangle with fingers before brushing or combing from ends upward to avoid pulling and breakage.
Step 12 - Use the right brush
Brushes come in many types, but the bristles matter most. For fine or damaged hair, choose a brush with boar bristles. We offer two great options:
- KASHOKI Touch of Nature Wooden Detangling Brush (3 sizes) - This brush has natural boar bristles with keratin to restore hair health. Nylon ball-tipped pins separate hair gently and massage the scalp. It has ionic properties that reduce frizz.
- Mediceuticals Scalpro Smoothing & Detangling Brush - Great for all hair types. The brush has Siilicon pins to protect the scalp and detangle hair gently.
Step 13 - Sleep well :)
Avoid sleeping with wet or loose hair. Loose hair causes friction with your pillowcase, especially cotton, which is not good for hair. Use a satin or silk pillowcase—they’re much softer and reduce friction. Alternatively, tie your hair in a loose braid or bun before bed.
Step 14 - Protect your hair from UV rays
You might not notice, but the sun affects your hair. UV rays dry out hair and fade colour faster. When spending time in the sun, protect your hair with a hat or scarf. Or use a Spray that protects hair from UV rays—a kind of sunscreen for hair. Here are some options:
- Wella Sun Protection Spray - A Spray for fine or normal hair. Protects from sunlight and leaves hair silky soft. This nourishing hair Spray makes your hair shine in the sun!
- Wella SP Sun UV Spray - A moisturizing Spray providing long-lasting protection for skin and hair, also delivering intense care.
- Schwarzkopf Bonacure Sun Scalp & Hair Mist - A hydrating, protective hair mist that offers ultimate UV protection for hair and scalp. The non-greasy formula doesn’t make hair oily when used!
- Wella EIMI Oil Spritz Styling Oil - A lightweight Spray that adds natural shine and protects against UV damage.
Step 15 - Things to avoid
It’s crucial to avoid things that can worsen hair damage:
Heat tools
Heat tools are a big no. If you really want to curl or style your hair, always use a heat protector.
Chemical treatments
If you have damaged hair and want to fix it, postpone chemical treatments like perManming or hair colouring :)
Chlorine and sea water
These ingredients dry out your hair. Check out this range of hair care products. They provide more hydration than regular products.
Styling products
Styling products are not hair care. But we know hairspray can be essential. Choose styling products with gentle ingredients, like Maria Nila styling. From bouncy curls to sleek styles, there’s something for everyone. All Maria Nila products are free of parabens and sulphates.
Hair styling
Finally, avoid backcombing and hairbands with metal parts. Instead, use a satin scrunchie, which is much gentler on your hair.
Step 16 - Patience pays off
As we said earlier, broken cuticles are just broken cuticles. They don’t fix overnight! Make this plan your own to maintain it effectively. Even if your hair isn’t/less damaged, these tips are excellent for proper hair care!
Where can I turn with questions about my damaged hair?
We hope this helps you on your way, but we understand you might still have questions or doubts. Feel free to contact us! Email info@haarspullen.nl or call us during business hours for urgent questions. We’re available Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Good luck! ♡
