I’m going to start off by telling you my brief damaged hair story (partly so you can see how bad it was, and partly because it sort of makes me laugh! I have no idea what I was thinking!!!).
I’m writing this post because about 3 years ago my hair was FRIED. This all happened right after I got my hair straightener, which was the first heated hair styling tool I’d ever used. And boy did I overuse it. Seriously, it was bad. My hair was damaged from heat so much that my hair dresser literally said she could smell smoke when she washed it. Disgusting! On top of that, I had a ton of baby pieces from my hair sticking up because of heat breakage. And when I tell you I could do nothing to hide them, I’m not lying. Plus, having naturally frizzy and thin hair didn’t make it much better!
So that’s my damaged hair history in a nutshell.
Looking back at that time, I wish I had changed so much. Thankfully, my hair is super healthy now thanks to all the care I’ve given it since.
So you’re probably wondering, what changed? Or more importantly, how do I keep my hair super healthy even though I still use heat?
I’m going to share all my tips with you!
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How To Repair Heat Damaged Hair Easily
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Use heat in moderation
My first tip is to use heat in moderation AND only when necessary. I used to be so obsessed with straightening and curling my hair that I’d do it even if I was going absolutely nowhere. All. the. time!!!
It’s totally normal to experiment with your hair and do it for fun, but for me, doing it on the laziest of lazy days was NOT the best idea (especially because I was not using my products in a well…more on that later).
If you don’t need to use heat, really try not to. It will really save your hair in the long run. Think of how much heat you will save it!
Another tip I have is to sort of strategically plan out a ‘schedule.’ For example, during the school year, I wash my hair Sunday and style it Monday morning before school. That usually lasts me until Wednesday, and then I wash my hair Wednesday, style it Thursday morning, and that will take me through the school week. And I only styling my hair with heat TWICE!!! (Sometimes with a few touch-ups.)
I will say, my thin hair holds a curl and stays straight for a pretty long time, so that definitely helps me. If your hair is similar to mine, definitely try to sort of plan out when you’ll style it!
Related: 5 Drugstore Waterproof Mascaras That Hold A Curl All Day
Try more heatless hairstyles or wear your hair natural
My hair is thin, sometimes frizzy, straight on top and curly on the bottom. So I’m not the biggest fan of wearing it natural, although I have been trying to embrace it more and learn to love it. But I totally get that it’s not for everyone.
But let me tell you, heatless hairstyles have been a new go to and an absolute blessing!
One of my favorite things about heatless hairstyles is that they are great for people who are like me (who adore their sleep). During the school year, I’ve been utilizing heatless hairstyles a lot more and I even receive a ton of compliments on them too!
I actually have a blog post on one of my favorites! Click here to read my post on how I get my perfect, heatless beachy waves overnight!
All I do is wake up, fix it up for a minute, and I’m ready to go!
Use heat protectant
To be honest, I’m hesitant to put his in because I don’t use heat protectant. I prefer not to spend money on heat protectant, especially seeing how healthy my hair is right now even though I still use heat sometimes. I also was not a big fan of the heat protectant I used before.
BUT, I feel like I need to include it because this is a post about how to save your hair from heat damage, because I’m sure heat protectant does work. And if you’re really trying everything to keep your hair healthy and protected from heat, I’d say give it a shot!
It’s a thing for a reason and I know that so many people can’t go without it!
I know I know, I should probably use it and maybe I will down the road. But I just wanted to be completely raw and real!
Find a great shampoo and conditioner
Ever since I switched up my shampoo and conditioner my hair has changed for the better!
The key is finding a GREAT product that suits YOUR needs. And that’s exactly what I found.
I’ve been using the TRESemmé Repair & Protect 7 With Biotin shampoo and the TRESemmé Moisture Rich conditioner for over a year now, and I can’t see myself changing that anytime soon. I first found these products from my cousin while we were on vacation. She let me use them, and pretty much immediately after I got home, I went and purchased my own.
Let me tell you why…
The shampoo is incredible because it is focused on repairing damaged hair. In fact, it repairs 7 types of hair damage in ONE use! Isn’t that amazing?! In case you’re wondering what damage it repairs:
- Blow-drying
- Straightening
- Coloring
- Curling
- Bleaching
- Brushing
- Braiding
This was a game changer for my hair and it has done absolute wonders for it! My hair looks (and feels) so healthy now! Click here to learn more or to shop!
The conditioner (oh my gosh, the best conditioner I’ve EVER used) is the most moisturizing conditioner I’ve ever used. It’s called the ‘moisture rich’ conditioner, and that’s what it really is. Moisture. Rich. Click here to learn more or shop!
The shampoo and conditioner I use are both very affordable and last SOOO long! (The container size the shampoo comes in is 22 FL OZ and the conditioner comes in 28 FL OZ!!!) It easily lasted me over 6 months!
Do your hair the favor and get products that do their job! At least do your research on a product and the company before making a purchase. There’s nothing I hate more than a shampoo or conditioner that claims to do all these amazing things and then is…average.
But those products are not and they deliver results!
Know how to use your products right
Okay, the main thing I’m talking about here is knowing the right temperatures to use. (But yes, make you are using your products the correct way to ensure you’re being safe with your hair!)
I used to think that to get the best results you needed to use the hottest temperature. Nope. Instead, my hair became fry city!
Let me say it loud and clear:
Using the hottest temperature option will NOT give you the best results! (I honestly think it can make the results worse!)
My advice is to play around with the temperature. Find a temperature as low as possible that still works for you. Temperature makes a huge difference in your hair and can be a game changer for how damaged it is!
That being said, make sure the styling tool you’re using allows you to adjust the temperature! This is super important. I’m not sure if there’s even any without it, but just double check to make sure. Some styling tools also make it very difficult to tell what the temperature is which I don’t like. It’s best to have an idea!
Here are my favorite hair styling products that I love and use ALLLL the time that let you pick the temperature. (Click the link if you’re interested in learning more or shopping the products!)
- HSI Professional Glider Flat Iron (I’ve been using this straightener for years and I love it!)
- Hot Tools Professional Curling Wand
- Remington Pro Ceramic Curling Wand (This holds my curls all day and it shows you the EXACT temperature that you’re applying to your hair. Plus, it’s very affordable! Definitely recommend!)
- Xtava 5 in 1 Professional Curling Wand and Iron Set (This curling wand set is amazing. You get 5 different curling wands and irons that you easily can replace, and it shows you the exact temperature you’re using!!!)
If you want some guidance on what heat setting to use, check out this post by Adore Beauty that breaks down all of the best temperatures to use based on hair type!
Don’t style your hair while it’s damp
This is a hugeeee no no. I used to do it tho. My hair would seem dry but still be a bit damp from showering, and I kid you not, my hair would STEAM when I put heat on it! Like literal water evaporating into the air, a smoky sort of smell, and sizzling!!!
I can’t even begin to think about how damaging that probably was to my hair.
Plus, now that I think about it, it was probably dangerous to do considering I was using a styling tool connected to electricity!
If you shower at night, I suggest just waiting until the next day to style it. Not only will you be sure that it will be dry, but I’ve always found that my hair styles 10x better the next morning, it holds way longer, and it’s less frizzy.
But if you really can’t, just make sure it’s completely dry before applying heat. Don’t let your sizzle next!
Use a satin or silk pillowcase
I started doing this a while ago after doing research, and I truly think it makes a difference.
Satin and silk pillowcases are great because they help to prevent frizz and prevent breakage in your hair. In addition to hair benefits, they also have proven benefits for skin. If you want to learn more about the benefits of using a satin or silk pillowcase, check out this post!
I also talked about satin and silk pillowcases in my heatless waves post, where I said that it really helps me to keep the frizz out of my hair!
I love how my silk pillowcase! It’s very affordable and you can find them in pretty much any color (I use navy blue, which is an accent color in my room)!
If you’re interested in buying a silk pillowcase, I’d recommend you check out this $10 one with over 45,000 reviews and close to 5 stars by clicking here!
Try an occasional mask or deep condition
I’ll be honest, I have never deep conditioned my hair before (that I can remember…). But I have heard amazing things about it and that it helps super dry and potentially damaged hair. If you are interested in learning more about what deep conditioning is and the benefits of it, check out this post I found that’s filled with great info!
What I have done before, however, is used a mask! A coconut oil mask!
I like using coconut oil hair masks for a few reasons:
- Coconut oil is super hydrating!
- It is the easiest oil to wash out of your hair (from what I’ve found)
- In the end it makes your hair silky and smooth
If you do this, try not to get coconut oil on your face because it is comedogenic, meaning it can cause pores and potentially lead to acne, which no one wants!
Coconut oil hair mask steps
To do a coconut hair mask, I use the Viva Naturals Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, which you can find here. I’ve had this coconut oil for over 2 years now (I think it’s approaching 3!) and I STILL have at least a third of the container left. It has worked perfectly for me in so many ways, and I have literally no complaints about it. Plus, it’s not too messy because it comes in a solid form.
All I do is take a chunk of the coconut oil and rub it in my hands to warm it up and get it liquidy. Then, I put it all in my hair. I use as much coconut oil as I need for my hair to have a layer of it and be slightly saturated in it, which usually doesn’t take too much coconut oil. After that, I tie my hair up for about 15 minutes and wash it off immediately when I get into the shower. (Make sure you use warm/hot water, it will really help the oil to come out!) I thoroughly wash my hair after that just to make sure all of the oil is out.
Only do a hair mask once or twice a week at most, it doesn’t have to be done frequently at all and it isn’t necessary. But I love doing them if my hair needs a little pick me up!
Air dry if possible
Another thing that I’ve done a lot recently is air drying my hair. When I was younger, I would blow dry my hair every single time. While it’s not a terribly bad thing, blow drying your hair still puts heat on your hair.
I find air drying my hair works perfectly well for me. While it may take longer than blow drying it, I like to think that I’ve saved it from more heat than needed.
Some people suggest drying your hair by wrapping it in a shirt (not a towel) because towels can break the end of your hair much easier. I’ve tried both out and I haven’t noticed a huge difference. But I do think drying it with a shirt prevents frizz more because there is less friction.
In all honesty, I still just use a towel if anything because it’s usually what I’m closest to. But I just wanted to throw that in there!
Related: 5 Ways To Style Your Hair With Pearl Bobby Pins
Brush your hair less
Another thing I try to do is limit how much I brush my hair. I’m no scientist, so instead of explaining it wrong, I’ll like a post here that you can check out on why it’s good! Maybe after reading it you’ll decide to do the same as I did!
Trim or cut your hair
Last but not least, trim or cut your hair every couple of months.
My hair always feels noticeably healthier after I trim it. (I got a trim yesterday, which is part of the reason I was inspired to write this post!) Ultimately, if your hair is extremely damaged, the main solution is to cut some of it off. Some hair is just too damaged to completely restore.
Using these tips that I do, I know you’ll see your hair become noticeably healthy. I’m so happy with where my hair is at now. All it takes is just a little more focus on hair care!
Thanks for reading!
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