/ Natural Hair

How to repair dry and damaged hair

by wedo_act

24/11/2020

girl with messy, dry, damaged hair

Is hair damage a concern? Our guide will help you understand how to recognise the signs of damage, what to avoid in order to damage it any further and discover our tips on how to restore your hair back to health.

How to tell the difference between dry and damaged hair

Before fixing something, you need to understand the root of the problem (pun alert). Dry hair and damaged hair are two different problems with different solutions.

Dry hair means the hair is low on the natural oils that lubricate it. Dry hair has a coarse texture, a bit straw-like, and can sometimes be frizzy as well.

Damage to the hair happens at a structural level when the cuticles covering the hair fibre are weakened therefore exposing the core of the hair and leaving it vulnerable to snapping. This is why damaged hair breaks easily, has split ends and lacks elasticity.

You can check if you have dry or damaged hair by plucking one hair and stretching it: if it stretches by one third and then returns to the original length, the hair is healthy. If it doesn’t stretch or stretches just a little, the hair is likely damaged. If it stretches but does not return to the previous length, the hair is most likely to be dry.

How hair can become damaged

Heat styling

Exposing the hair to high levels of heat temporarily changes its structure, making it prone to permanent damage over time. Regularly using blow dryers, straighteners or curlers without any heat-protection products weakens the hair leaving it dull and prone to breakage.

Excessive chemical services like colouring and lightening

Excessive hair colouring, lightening or perming can damage the hair, especially when it’s not done professionally. If this is done too often or incorrectly, the hair becomes weaker and the colour won’t last as long.

Daily wear & tear

Hair is most fragile when wet, so when comb and brush it after washing it, the hair stretches. The more you comb it, the more you chip at the outer layer, or hair cuticles.  For sensitised hair, it’s important to use products that ease the detangling and allow you to be gentler to your hair.

Tips to repair dry or damaged hair

1. Avoid heat styling

Reduce the temperature on your heat tools or use them as little as possible. Let your hair air dry from time to time. Use heat-protective products when you do have to use styling tools.

2. Be gentler with your hair when is wet

Hair is more fragile when wet and combing damp hair weakens the hair cuticles. Always use conditioner or mask after shampooing. Using detangling products like weDo’s Detangling Spray  or Moisturising Day Cream will protect the hair after the wash, leaving it smooth.  

3. Include hair masks in your routine

close up of weDo Moisture & Shine shampoo label

Masks formulated with a higher concentration of caring ingredients will condition and moisturise the hair because they penetrate the hair fibre deeper than a conditioner.  Our own Moisture & Shine mask contains nourishing murumuru butter that intensively conditions damaged hair. Tip: Apply the mask on damp, not on soaking wet hair to get the most of it. Gently press hair dry with a towel after shampooing, and only then apply the mask.

packshot of weDo Moisture & Shine shampoo and conditioner

4.Try an overnight treatment

Overnight products for damaged hair are a great, low-maintenance way to treat the damage. You simply apply the product in the evening, go to bed and let it work its magic while you sleep. Our Nourishing Night Cream cream with cupuacu butter is great for just that.

5. Trim split ends

girl with curly hair holding weDo Moisturising Day Shift cream in her hands

Once your ends are damaged there’s nothing you can do to “glue” them. You can temporarily conceal them to protect them from further damage with a balm, but eventually they should face the scissors. Keep trimming the hair regularly and it will start looking healthier in time.

6. Use sun protection for your hair

Overexposure to the sun can also damage hair, particularly due to UV rays, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Apply a hair product formulated with sun protection before a day in the sun and keep the hair conditioned using cleansing products.

7. Moisturise, moisturise and moisturise some more

Just as we take care of our skin and prevent it from dehydrating by applying moisturiser, we should do the same with our hair. Dry hair that coarse or curly needs an intensive moisturising regime with formulas rich in fatty acids, oils or butters. If your hair is coarse, try our Natural Oil for pampering and softening.

8. Use sulphate free shampoos

When dealing with damaged hair, the shampoo we use matters. Using a sulphate free shampoo designed with natural-origin ingredients will gently cleanse the scalp and hair.

close up of someone running their fingers through their hair

Discover our range of products formulated to moisturise and enhance the shine of natural or damaged hair.

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