If you’re balancing a demanding job and trying to maintain a social life, chances are your hair probably hasn’t made it to your list of priorities. Even if your schedule is clear, you somehow can’t find the time to wash it—if you’re anything like us, at least.
So, it only makes sense that it’s dry, dull, and damaged, especially if you turn to quick fixes like hair straighteners and blow dryers.
If you’re looking to give your hair a little extra care, we’re here to help. MILLE rounds up all the common types of hair damage and how to effectively treat them.
Split Ends
What does it look like?
No need for explanation on this one.
Why does it happen?
Pretty much any external factors may cause split ends, from exposure to extreme weather conditions to aggressive hair techniques such as blow drying and straightening. Highly chemical hair products can also be another reason.
How to treat it?
Getting a trim at least every two months is absolutely essential. Remember that split ends can’t be fixed, only prevented, therefore alongside trimming, you can start a preventative anti-breakage routine.
Ingredients to look for in your products:
Polymers which can fill microchips and mend splits as well as amino acids, which are proteins that can help protect the hair from future damage.
Redken Extreme Anti-Snap
L’Oréal Professionnel Ends Filler Concentrate
Oribe Split End Seal Beautiful Color Treatment
Chemical and Color Damage
What does it look like?
If your hair is extremely dry, has a straw-like texture and is prone to breakage, then you might be suffering from chemical or color damage.
Why does it happen?
Chemical damage is caused by chemical treatments that alter the quality of your hair like perms and relaxers (keratin, collagen). Color damage on the other hand is due to peroxide and ammonia in hair dyes that attack hair cuticles and absorb moisture.
How to treat it?
Prevention is your best strategy. It might be a good time to finally embrace your natural hair and avoid chemical treatments and hair dyes. Use leave-in and deep conditioning treatments as well as detoxifying oils and hair masks. In case you have to resort to coloring, make sure to use color-safe products to avoid color fading and loss of moisture.
Ingredients to look for in your products:
Skin-care ingredient Cica, an antioxidant-rich moisturizer for healthy and hydrated hair.
Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Cica Cream Leave-In Treatment
Briogeo Color Me Brilliant Mushroom + Bamboo Color Protect Conditioner
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector
Heat Damage
What does it look like?
Extremely tangled, hard to style and dull hair with white nodules at the end? It means your hair has been exposed to too much heat.
Why does it happen?
Blow drying, hair straighteners and flat irons are to blame.
How to treat it?
Applying heat protectants before exposing your hair to heat is crucial. Using a lower heat setting and limiting your use of heat can also help.
Ingredients to look for in your products:
Humectants which are hydrating ingredients that attract moisture. Sugarcane extract, an all-natural alternative to silicones, commonly used in heat protectants, which forms a waterproof coating that keeps your hair hydrated from within while protecting against heat.
SheaMoisture Sugarcane Extract & Meadowfoam Seed Silicone Free Leave-In
L’Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyle Blow Dry It Quick Dry Primer Spray
VERB Leave-In Mist
Thinning and Hair Loss
What does it look like?
Hair loss is a noticeable increase of hair shedding while hair thinning is having less voluminous hair and showing more scalp.
Why does it happen?
Hair loss is caused by several factors including hormonal issues, stress, post-partum, nutritional deficiencies, and more. As for hair thinning it is usually a common medically-treated condition called androgenetic alopecia.
How to treat it?
Hair growth products can help, but a visit to a dermatologist is highly recommended to receive proper treatment and therapy.
Ingredients to look for in your products:
Growth-stimulating ingredients include topical Minoxidil, biotin and vitamin A.
