This Is The Absolute Best Way To Reverse Hair Damage

Just like you have a protective and repairing skincare regimen for your face, you should have a similar routine for your hair. Washing and rinsing your hair with the wrong products can dehydrate it, Mancuso says. That's why it is important to choose a formulation that was created for your hair type and condition ." If you have color-treated hair, Mancuso recommends washing with a cleansing conditioner or co-wash to keep all the moisture in place. If your hair is damaged, especially if you use any sort of bleach or chemical treatment, you need to add back the keratin and glutamic acid that are lost. "Severely damaged hair loses high levels of both nutrients, says Macuso. Look for those ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner. This duo from Nexxus is a great option.

Up Your Protein Intake

Ninety percent of your hair is made up of protein-that's why stylists and dermatologists (and even Kim Kardashian !) are obsessed with hair protein treatments. They strengthen hair, protect it from excessive moisture loss, make it feel thicker and look shinier and, to an extent, repair damage, says dermatologist Francesca Fusco, M.D., of Wexler Dermatology in NYC. They usually come in the form of conditioners, serums, or masks containing high levels of proteins to help repair broken proteins in your hair to make it stronger and healthier.

Protein treatments arent necessarily new-but the formulas have been refined and improved in recent years to deliver the best possible results. And, depending on your level of hair damage, you may need a different intensity. If you overdo it on the protein, your hair can become stiff and, ironically enough, prone to breakage. So make sure you're alternating protein treatments with moisturizing options.

Try A DIY Treatment

If you have minor hair damage, a formula whipped up in your kitchen can help. (Fair warning: Many recipes rely on eggs, egg whites, or a combo of both-so expect it to get messy.) Try a recipe that incorporates a protein with some sort of conditioning oil so you can restore both protein and hydration to your locks. This one pairs olive oil and egg yolks, and while messy, can help make hair feel almost instantly softer. You can also mix up Greek yogurt with honey and coconut oil to make a deeply conditioning hair mask. Just be sure to use plain, unflavored yogurt-you don't want blueberry or strawberry chunks lingering in your hair! "Remember to rinse thoroughly or hair will feel rough, stiff, or tangled from the protein residue, says Fusco.

Lay Off The Hot Tools

You probably saw this one coming. Sure its obvious, but thats because it works. Hair is almost entirely made up of proteins, and heat styling causes damaging changes to those proteins," says Mancuso. Just because your blow dryer or flat iron are off limits, doesn't mean you're stuck unstyled. Here's how to air dry your hair so it looks its best.

But on days that you just need some heat, always use a heat protecting spray (like the one from Tresemm below). Mancuso recommends moving fast with the dryer and irons to cut down on styling time and damage. And remember, to really stretch out heat styling, bust out your shower cap and reach for the dry shampoo !

Protect Your Hair From The Sun Damage

All that time outside can start to take a toll on your hair. Not only is your scalp just as susceptible to skin cancer as the rest of your body, but UV exposure can also lead to break down hair's protein and lead to breakage or even hair loss. If you don't want to rub greasy sunscreen all over your hair (understandable!) try one of these styling products with built-in UV protection. They use ingredients you're used to seeing in traditional sunscreens (avobenzone, zinc oxide, etc) and natural extracts to protect, but they also serve other purposes, like hydration, smoothing, even hold.

Embrace Oils

In case you havent heard, hair oils are your friend. They don't necessarily lead to greasy strands. Look for option that are dry and lightweight. I love coconut, babassu, marula, castor, and argan, just to name a few, Mancuso says. Oils are deeply moisturizing and can replenish lost lipids in damaged strands. Run a few drops through your damp or dry hair, focusing mostly on the ends.

Brush Up On Your Combing Skills

Even actions as basic as combing or brushing your hair can be considered physical aggressors. "They scrape the surface of your hair and cause dulling and chipping to the cuticle, Mancuso says. If surface damage advances, hair become vulnerable to cuticle loss, which leaves the internal structure unprotected, causing moisture loss, split ends, unravelling and breakage. When you're detnalging your hair, especially if it's wet (wet hair is much more fragile that dry hair), always take you time and start from the bottom up. If you are running in to lots of knots, it might be time to add in a detangler. Look for brushes or combs that are specifically designed to be gentle, like Wetbrush.