Fortunately, in the vast majority of cases, you can eventually grow the damaged hair out as long as the follicle itself has been preserved. The most common causes of damage are below. Damaged hair can still grow eventually, but routine damage can result in negative consequences for your hair.
Once your hair starts growing past the follicle, it's made up of dead cells. Because of this, the cells can't adapt, and when they're changed, it's permanent. There are no active cells that can be sent in to repair the damage.
Marina Hodgins, owner at Fringe Benefits Gloucester, agrees that clients will be looking at six to twelve months for their damaged hair to grow out, “It is advisable to use a professional hair care routine to nourish the hair and scalp which will speed up the growing out process.
Ultimately, the best thing for damaged hair and split ends is to get that trim. If that's not possible, you can combat some of the signs of damage with products. “For instance, if your hair is looking dull, consider getting a shine spray to help infuse shine back into the hair (shiny hair = healthy hair).
If your hair is slightly damaged, it is usually dry with less shine, the colour is duller and have a thinner hair ends. If the situation becomes more serious, it will have a rougher texture and a dull appearance, the colour balance is more uneven and a more serious split ends.
Damaged Hair
Collins agrees, suggesting a trim every eight weeks if your hair is chemically damaged, especially fine, or frayed at the ends. More frequent haircuts can help prevent over-drying and breakage.
Take an inch-wide section of hair between two fingers and gently pull them down the hair, right to the ends. Concentrate on the texture: does it feel smooth all the way down? If you feel an uneven surface, with kinks and sections that snap off under tension, these are damaged hair warning signs.
Some common causes are overprocessing and color-treating, which can both cause hair to lose moisture and eventually grow brittle if not conditioned continually to help stall more damage. Some hair type's have a cuticle that's naturally lifts easier, and thus are more prone to damage inherently.
Hot oil treatments at a salon are one of the best ways to fix your damaged and fried hair. Hot hair oil repairs the damaged and over-processed hair shafts and locks in the moisture that was stripped away from the shafts. This results in fuller and more manageable hair that is free from damage.
What does chemically damaged hair look like? If you're seeing frizzy, dull, and dry hair, or if you're experiencing split ends, breakages or hair loss, chances are you've got a spot of chemical damage. Those of us with curly hair might notice our curls are less defined and may even become straight.
Experts have another quick and easy way to determine if your hair is too damaged to dye. In essence, it is not safe to dye if your wet hair stretches more than usual or if the texture feels “gummy”. Check whether the hair surface is uneven, if it has kinks or if some sections of it snap quite easily.
Opt for a wet cut if your hair is experiencing a lot of damage, as your stylist will better be able to assess the health of your freshly washed strands. If you have naturally curly hair and wear your texture every day, you may want to ask for a dry cut. Dry cuts are also great for anyone hoping to slay layered locks.
Damaged hair or strands that are feeling a little lacklustre can be brought back to life through professional salon treatments and an at-home routine with restorative products. Speak with a stylist to find a routine that's best for your hair type and the damage it has.
Minoxidil and Finasteride – Depending how severely the chemical has damaged your hair; the doctor may recommend you to use one of these topical medications. These medications are applied on the scalp to stop hair loss and improve hair growth at the same time.
Just as with blonde hair, red hair requires a little extra tender love and care. Hack admits that red hair is his favorite to color, but that she's noticed many women don't realize the extent of after-care that's needed. “Red is the hardest color to keep lustrous and the hardest color to remove,” she adds.
Olaplex gets to work on repairing your hair from the first application, with each of the Olaplex products designed to restore your damaged hair by repairing broken bonds. While Olaplex does restore these broken disulphide bonds permanently, clients should be aware that new damage can still occur to the hair bonds.
If you're short on time you will be able see the results of Olaplex in as little as 10 minutes. However, On their Instagram, Olaplex has said you can leave the treatment on overnight. Just make sure your hair doesn't come into contact with your face or eyes!
Early on, any of the new hair growth you experience may just look like dark spots on your scalp, which can form as the new hair root grows from the follicle. These new hairs might be easier to see if you have dark hair and a light skin tone.
You can distinguish the difference between breakage and new growth because the new growth will be all the same length and all over the head, explains Capri. "If the flyaways are in just one section, it's most likely breakage."