How to Repair Damaged Hair Naturally

• 27 April 2023
• Dr Malay Mehta

Do you struggle with dry, brittle, and broken hair? Do you find your mane dull and lifeless?

Hair damage can have a big impact on your appearance and confidence, but there are natural ways to revitalise and repair your locks. Our leading hair restoration expert discusses the common causes of damage, plus tips and strategies for repairing damaged hair, in the article below.

What causes hair damage?

Each shaft of your hair is composed of three layers:

• Medulla (inner layer)
• Cortex (the middle layer that contains melanin and keratin)
• Cuticle (outer layer)

In healthy locks, the cuticle layer is flat and intact, protecting the inner layers of your hair and keeping essential natural oils in the hair. However, if this cuticle layer is damaged, the middle cortex is exposed. This creates roughness in the strands, strips your mane of natural oils, and causes brittle, dry hair.

Each hair shaft consists of three layers. When the outermost layer, the cuticle, is damaged, the strands become rough, dry, and brittle.

A variety of factors can damage your hair, from heat styling and chemical treatments to overwashing, harsh products, UV rays, and pollution. If you suspect there is another cause for damage or you are also suffering from hair loss, seeking the advice of a hair transplant and restoration expert is a great option. Dr Malay Mehta can help determine the cause of damage or hair loss and provide advice about your best treatment options.

What are the types of hair damage?

Identifying the cause of damage to your hair is key to preventing further damage and promoting healthy hair growth.

• Split ends are typically a result of harsh products or chemical treatments that remove the natural oils from your strands.
• Colour damage, bleaching agents or ammonia open the cuticle, changing the structure of the shafts of hair.
• Treatments like permanent straightening or perming damage the chemical structure. These strip the natural oils from your strands, resulting in brittle, fragile, and dry hair prone to breaking.
• Heat damage from hair styling tools (blow dryers, flat irons, or curling irons) wrecks the cuticle layer.
• Environmental damage from extreme weather, UV rays, or pollution damages your cuticle and can remove essential vitamins and minerals needed for healthy hair.
• Stress or anxiety can cause hair loss or thinning.

Natural methods to restore health and vitality to your mane

Repairing damaged hair using natural methods may take longer than professional salon treatments, but it is gentler on the hair and promotes long-term hair health. It can also save you money, as salon treatments can be more expensive than these effective home remedies.

Home-made hair masks and home remedies for your hair:

Home remedies and hair masks can nourish and hydrate your hair with simple ingredients you can find at home or easily grab from the supermarket.

• Avocado and egg mask
• Banana and yoghurt mask
• Make a serum from flaxseed.
• Mayonnaise
• Egg whites
• Honey
• Tea rinse
• Apple cider vinegar (ACV), egg whites, and olive oil mask
• Aloe Vera

Oils that are good for your dry and damaged hair:

You can boost circulation and stimulate healthy growth with a weekly massage of your hair and scalp using moisturising and nourishing oils. Depending on the length and thickness of the hair, you can use a few drops, teaspoons, or half a cup of oil to massage your hair.

Here are some great oils to use in the hair:

• Olive oil
• Almond oil
• Coconut oil
• Avocado oil
• Sandalwood oil
• Jojoba oil

How to recover damaged hair fast

Natural hair repair methods may take time to show results. If you are wanting a quick fix, here are some tips on treating hair damage as quickly as possible:

• Get a haircut to remove split ends.
• Use a hair serum or leave-in conditioner to smooth and protect the hair.
• Limit hair washing to once or twice a week to prevent further damage.
• Try a hair supplement or vitamin to promote hair growth and strength.

One of the fastest ways to repair hair damage is to book an appointment at a salon and have it cut. They may also be able to provide further advice about how to fix dry, damaged hair.

Tips for hair care to avoid damaging your locks

Once you have restored your hair with the tips above or with the help of a hairdresser, follow these hair care tips to avoid further damage to your hair from heat, chemicals, or breakage and to ensure your hair is kept as healthy as possible.

• Use protective sprays to reduce damage from heat styling and harsh weather conditions.
• Book in for regular haircuts.
• Avoid tight hairstyles that can pull and damage your hair.
• Don’t brush your hair when it’s wet.
• Use natural hair care products to nourish and protect your hair.
• Take breaks between hair colouring sessions.
• Use non-toxic or natural dyes if possible.
• Prioritise your hair’s health and seek professional help if necessary.

Restore your healthy hair in no time!

Repairing damaged hair naturally is possible with the above simple tips and strategies. By identifying the cause of your hair damage and establishing a hair care routine that takes steps to prevent further damage, you can promote healthy hair growth and restore your hair’s natural beauty.

Remember to prioritise your hair’s health and seek professional help if necessary. Dr. Malay Mehta (an expert in hair restoration and transplants) and his team are happy to answer any questions you may have about your hair damage and what treatment is your best option to restore your luscious locks.

You can restore your hair with a little patience and care!

FAQs

Read through our frequently asked questions below.

Can damaged hair be repaired?

Yes, damaged hair can be repaired. There are many home remedies to try, and your local salon can also help. From haircuts and salon-grade treatments to homemade hair masks and conditioning treatments that you leave on for some time, there are many options to help repair your damaged, brittle, frizzy, or dry hair.

How can I repair my damaged hair naturally at home?

There are many methods to repair damaged hair naturally from the comfort of your own home. There are many different hair masks to try, such as eggs, avocado, mayonnaise, banana, or apple cider vinegar. Using different oils, such as olive, avocado, almond, or coconut oil, to massage your hair and scalp is also another great way to restore your mane.

How can I fix my damaged hair quickly at home?

The fastest way to fix damaged hair at home is to trim the dry, broken ends or use a leave-in conditioning treatment. Your hairdresser will also be able to provide the best advice about repairing your hair in the fastest way possible.

What exactly is hair damage?

Damage to hair is caused by heat, chemicals, the environment, hair dye, or stress. These cause damage to the outer layer of the hair, creating dull, dry, brittle, and fragile locks. The hair will lose its natural shine, and if you run your fingers over the strands, they may feel rough and uneven.

How much hair damage is normal?

It is normal to shed some hair; however, hair damage such as split ends, frizziness, dryness, and dull hair is not normal. This indicates there is some damage to the hair, and it should be treated to restore health and vitality to the hair.