What is damaged hair?
According to New York-based dermatologist, Dr. Rachel Nazarian, “This is a complex topic as everyone has a different understanding of the concept of damage, similar to when we talk about damaged skin. It’s a rather vague term.”
She also points out that even naturally dry or slightly curly hair is sometimes considered damaged, making it challenging to determine what damaged hair truly is.
Damaged hair can be identified by certain signs such as dryness, brittleness, dullness, and breakage.
However, there are some distinct signs to look out for to determine if your hair is truly damaged.
– Dry, brittle hair: If your hair constantly feels dry, it could be due to a damaged cuticle layer. When this protective layer is compromised, moisture easily escapes, leaving your hair straw-like and brittle. Even with conditioning, your hair struggles to retain moisture, creating a cycle of dryness. Another telltale sign is if your hair dries out quickly after washing.
– Thinning hair ends: Damage often occurs at the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, where it is most vulnerable to chemicals, heat, and environmental factors. When the cuticle layer is missing or uneven, your hair becomes thinner and coarser. You may notice this when running your fingers through your hair or observing thinner ends with split ends.
– Excessive hair fall: If you find more hair on your brush, pillow, or in the bathtub, your hair may be damaged. When hair is weak and prone to breakage, you will experience more hair fall than usual.
– Increased tangles: When the cuticle layer is damaged, hair strands can easily catch on each other, resulting in severe tangles. However, keep in mind that long or curly hair is naturally more prone to tangles, so if you notice a sudden increase or worsening of tangles, your hair may be damaged.
– Dull, lifeless hair: Your hair loses its shine and luster when the cuticle layer is disrupted, which could be due to pollution, UV rays, or product buildup.
Can hair be truly repaired with conditioning treatments?
The market is flooded with conditioning treatments, shampoos, and oils that promise to restore years of damage from coloring or bleaching. However, these claims are often exaggerated. In reality, once hair is damaged, it cannot return to its original state. Unlike the scalp, which has living cells that can regenerate, hair is merely keratin, incapable of self-repair.
Not all hair damage can be repaired with conditioning treatments.
What types of damage can be fixed?
The good news is that some types of damage are more easily reversible than others, depending on the extent of the damage. According to dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp, surface-level damage, such as dryness, frizz caused by over-brushing, frequent washing, or excessive UV exposure, only affects the cuticle and can be improved.
Dr. Loren Krueger recommends deep conditioning masks containing citric acid, dimethicone, and glycerin to restore moisture and enhance shine, even for mildly damaged hair. Additionally, jojoba oil and aloe vera are excellent for softening and smoothing the hair.
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