Damaged hair comes in many forms - rough or straw-like texture, split ends, frizz, breakage, etc. If you are experiencing any of these you know it can be frustrating as well as difficult to style.

The use of hot styling tools and chemical processing are two major causes of damaged hair. Which means our hair routines can cause considerable damage to your roots, tips, and strands. While many choose to start fresh by cutting all their hair, there are also other ways of reviving your hair's health.

This article contains tips that will make it easy to begin repairing damage and restoring your hair's health. Including simple ways and products that rebuild, nourish, and hydrate even the most damaged hair.

What Is Hair Damage?

Hair damage is usually caused by aggressors such as heat, friction, and harsh chemicals. They do this by damaging the protective outer layer of your hair, known as the cuticle, leaving cracks in its exterior, lifting the cuticle. Excess aggressors to your hair can eventually make it look dull, frizzy, or dry and expose it to more breakage and damage.

You'll be able to lower the signs of damage and start repairing broken bonds that make damaged hair weak and brittle by adjusting your present hair care routines and concentrating on giving your damaged hair the extra TLC it requires.

What Causes Hair Damage?

Heat styling, sun exposure, humidity, and chemical processing can all contribute to dry and damaged hair. Damaged hair usually results from poor hair styling procedures and products over an extended period of time.

Before you begin any treatment to rectify your hair's damage, ensure you understand the likely causes. Causes of hair damage can be:

Heat Styling

Exposure to high heat from styling tools can damage your hair and change the shape of your mane's keratin strands. Temperatures above 300°F convert the alpha-keratin to a beta-keratin, resulting in weaker hair that has lost its elasticity and become more inclined to damage. By giving your hair a break from all heat styling tools, your hair can then heal from heat damage.

For a more feasible daily approach, incorporating a product like Goldie Locks® Blow Dry Spray 450° Style Extender into your heat styling routine can be transformative. This advanced formula provides a protective barrier, defending your hair from temperatures up to 450°F. It allows you to continue styling your mane as desired, without the accompanying damage. By safeguarding your hair's keratin structures, it helps maintain your hair’s natural strength and elasticity, promoting overall hair health even amidst regular styling.

Sun Exposure

Long-term exposure to the sun can cause loss in some vital proteins that are essential for healthy hair growth. The sun emits UVA and UVB rays that can damage your hair cuticle and affect its color.

Sun damage to the hair can include dry and brittle strands, frizziness, discoloration, thinning, and broken or split ends. Wearing a hat, wrapping a scarf around your hair, or going out early or late in the day can help to prevent sun damage to your hair. Using an umbrella throughout your stay in the sun can also help prevent damaged and dull hair.

Humidity

Humidity is good for the scalp as it promotes proper hair growth. However, high humidity can also affect your hair negatively. High humidity causes the hair strands to get filled with water, weakens the cuticle, and causes your hair to be frizzy. You can block your hair from damage by using quality hair care products and sticking to a healthy routine.

What Are The Types Of Hair Damage?

There are three major types of hair damage that you should know about, and they include heat damage, chemical damage, and mechanical damage.

Heat Damage

Heat causes significant damage to the hair as it destroys its natural keratin. The high heat from tools such as curling irons, hair straighteners, hair dryers, etc., can make your hair dry, frayed, and frizzy.

Heat damage is difficult to repair. You should ALWAYS use a heat protectant spray or serum before using hot styling tools to help reduce damage by forming a shield around your strands.

Chemical Damage

Chemical damage is yet another cause of damage to the hair. You experience chemical damage when you use harsh products that contain certain chemicals that are not friendly to the scalp and strands. Products that contain sulfates, formaldehyde, bleach, and peroxide ammonia contribute to hair damage.

Using sulfate-free shampoos can help transform your hair to its healthy state. In addition, use ammonia-free hair dye or go for hair extensions or wigs if you want to rock some color.

Mechanical Damage

Poor hair styling and routine fall under mechanical damage as many people tend to handle their hair roughly. Excessive friction and tension caused by tight hairstyles, scrunchies, combs, vigorous towel drying, hair clips, etc., are other common causes of mechanical damage.

Comb and style your hair with care and avoid hairstyles that cause unnecessary friction and tension. Use combs and brushes to detangle your hair properly and brush hair gently.

How To Tell If Your Hair Is Damaged

If you think your frizzy hair is natural or the constant breakage seems normal, then you are most likely suffering from hair damage. Here is a quick test to know if you're dealing with damaged hair.

• Take a hair strand between two fingers and pull gently at either end to check its elasticity. Healthy hair will stretch to one-third of its original length, while damaged hair will snap immediately. If your hair snaps or breaks, it could be protein damage, but if it stretches out and does not return to its normal length, it is a sign of dryness.
• Grab an inch-wide section of your hair between two fingers and carefully pull them down. While you do so, ensure you focus on the texture, as it is a clear indicator of your hair's health. If it is smooth all through, then you have healthy hair. However, you are probably battling with damaged hair if you feel an uneven surface with sections and kinks that snap off under tension.

What Does Damaged Hair Look Like?

A damaged hair has a brittle, straw-like feel, and the hair shaft is often weak and prone to breakage. Damaged hair is often recognized with split ends, stray, and unruly strands; it also has a stiff feel and crunches when touched or moved.

8 Tips To Repair Damaged Hair

Tip #1: Reduce The Temperature Of Your Styling Tools

Your flat iron, curling iron, and blow dryer are the magic wands that change your unruly hair into luscious curls and waves. However, this same wand comes with dryness and brittleness. One common mistake is setting the temperature too high when styling with heat causes the most damage.

Avoid heat styling when possible and opt for air-drying. When you need heat, use heat protection products like Goldie Locks Signature Serum to help shield your hair from thermal damage.

Tip #2: Shampoo Wisely & Properly

The use of certain shampoo brands also affects your hair health. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo produced for damaged hair like the Goldie Locks Ultra-Hydrating Signature Shampoo. Stick to shampoos that contain natural ingredients that will assist in repairing your damaged hair.

In addition, avoid frequent shampooing and use dry shampoo if your scalp and hair need refreshing on the second or third day of your last wet wash. Rinse your hair with lukewarm and finish up with cold water to finish the shampooing process.

Goldie Locks^® Dry Shampoo is a great option to keep your hair clean and refreshed between washes. Additionally its talc free, all natural formula is gentle with your locks and your scalp, helping speed recovery.

Tip #3: Indulge In Quality & Healing Hair Masks

Hair masks are the ultimate secret to conditioning and repairing damaged hair. They contain high concentrations of moisturizing and reparative ingredients such as oils, vitamins, and naturally-sourced components. Masks are thick, nutritious hair mixtures that penetrate deeply into the hair surface.

Hair masks keep working even after rinsing them. If you suffer from damaged hair use hair mask treatment 1-2 times twice a week. During the application, take your time and don't rush, as the longer you leave it on your hair, the more effective it is. The best hair mask to repair damaged hair is the Goldie Locks Ultra-Hydrating Signature Hair Mask, the reviews alone speak for themselves.

Tip #4: Leave-In Conditioner Is Your New Best Friend

Leave-in conditioners are hair treatments that offer all-day protection and nourishment for hair. Goldie Locks Ultra-Hydrating Leave-in Conditioner is a moisturizing multitasker suitable for all hair types. Not only does it protect strands and give hair a boost of hydration. It effortlessly detangles hair, strengthens strands, fights frizz and enhances shine.

Leave-in conditioners are perfect for unruly, frizzy hair and will keep it hydrated, manageable, and smoother. It also provides UV hair protection to colored hair and prevents color from fading quickly. To achieve the best results, apply leave-in conditioner to towel dried hair and brush through with a wide-toothed comb for even distribution.

Tip #5: Trim Split Ends

Split ends are noticeable hair damage that starts unraveling from the bottom up, resulting in dull, broken, frizzy tresses. To prevent split ends from happening, keep your hair strong and supple with fortifying ultra-hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and leave-in treatments.

A visit to your hairstylist for regular trims can help stop split ends from getting out of control. Proper and regular trims will help to preserve your hair's length.

Tip #6: Keep Hair Hydrated

Dry hair is the ultimate cause of hair breakage and damage. It arises as a result of little moisture content, causing brittleness and fragility in the hair strands.

If you're prone to dry hair, a moisturizing regimen with a hydrating shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, and leave-in - like the Goldie Locks Ultimate Hydration Bundle supplies you with your essential moisture and nutrients. The use of these products is the fastest way to prevent and treat your hair from becoming dry, brittle, frizzy, and damaged.

Tip #7: Swim & Sun With Care

Chlorine, salt water, and other pool chemicals can make your hair brittle and fragile; they can even affect your hair color. If you love swimming, always wear a swim cap to protect your hair from Chlorine water.

Clarifying Shampoo is a great product for swimmers as you may need to clarify more often to deep clean hair and remove chlorine, iron and minerals that can give hair a greenish tint. It also washes away dulling buildup, strengthens strands and minimizes future buildup.

Tip #8: Handle Wet Hair With Care

All hair is at its most vulnerable when wet, and the possibility of damage increases if your wet hair is curly, fine, or fragile. Do not try to pull a brush through your wet hair, except the brush was made explicitly for that task. Many professionals recommend using a wide-tooth comb for detangling.

In addition, when you leave the shower, skip vigorous rubbing, and instead, carefully blot your hair with a fluffy towel, a soft cotton t-shirt, or a microfiber cloth. Using this helps you prevent friction that can put tension on vulnerable hair. Avoid securing your hair with an elastic band when wet, as it can also cause breakage.

Goldie Locks® Products For Damaged Hair

Goldie Locks hair care products are the perfect remedy for damaged hair as they contain naturally-sourced ingredients free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and other harmful chemicals that are not only bad for you, but for your hair.

Incorporating Goldie Locks products and adhering to the tips mentioned above can help you enjoy healthier and fuller hair. If you're looking for more ways to improve your hair routine, take our quiz to get your personalized hair care routine that is ‘just right’ for you.