From over-washing to hairstyles that require tightly pulled-back tresses, our negligence wreaks havoc on our hair daily. All these actions – coupled with UV exposure, environmental pollutants, and transitional weather – can leave your hair looking and feeling dry, dull, and limp. While in some cases such damage is irreversible, most of us can rescue our locks. The trick is to cater to your concerns with the correct arsenal of hair care products.
Split ends, hair fall, and brittle, parched strands are telltale signs of damaged hair – and the common causes of such damage can be classified into three types: mechanical damage, chemical damage, and thermal damage.
- Mechanical damage from wear and tear, hair ties, extensions, brushing, and friction.
- Chemical damage from bleaching and colouring hair.
- Thermal damage from curling irons, straighteners, and other heated tools.
Reversing Damage and Restoring Hair Health
Healthy hair begins at the roots. So, to repair your hair, tend to your scalp first. A suitable scalp mask or oil that addresses your scalp concerns facilitates cellular turnover, and lends anti-inflammatory properties is the first step towards restoring holistic hair health.
Nykaa Recommends: The Cosmetic Republic Scalp Mask
Hot oil hair treatments can help lock in a ton of moisture into dry and damaged strands. The warm oil seals the cuticle by hydrating your hair follicles to prevent breakage and split ends, thereby promoting healthy, voluminous hair growth. To fix damaged locks, consider oiling your hair at least twice a week.
Nykaa Recommends: Manestream Ayurvedic Fenugreek & Onion Hair Oil + Fenugreek & Aloe Vera Damage Repair Hair Oil Combo
If you have damaged hair, a sulphate-free shampoo and conditioner is the way to go. Plant-based, vegan formulations with soothing, toxin-free ingredients won’t exacerbate your concerns. Look for products that do not contain chemical additives, emulsifiers, dyes, or preservatives.
Nykaa Recommends: Arata Damage Repair Duo
A deeply nourishing treatment mask can significantly improve the texture and strength of your hair. Laden with moisturising, restorative ingredients, the formulation promises a hydration boost when applied twice weekly. Drenching your tresses in a soothing mask can also help prevent split ends and breakage.
Nykaa Recommends: Marc Anthony Miracle Mask Damage Repair
Hair serums coat your strands to create a protective layer around the hair cuticle, providing moisture and shielding it from further damage. Perfect for brittle and limp strands, serums can also trigger hair growth. By layering your strands with this formulation, you also reduce the risk of friction.
Nykaa Recommends: Bare Anatomy Expert Damage Repair Serum For Dry & Damaged Hair
If your mane is particularly dehydrated, a leave-in treatment can do wonders. Besides helping reduce hair breakage by detangling your strands, leave-in formulations help eliminate frizziness, lock in moisture, and prevent damage. Fuller, longer, lustrous locks are just one product away!
Nykaa Recommends: Aveda Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair
A buzzword in the hair care industry – for good reason – bond-building treatments warrant strengthened strands by rebuilding the amino acid bonds that make up the keratin in hair. How do you fix damaged hair? Restore your weakened strands with a potent bond repair concoction.
Nykaa Recommends: Minimalist Maleic Bond Repair Complex 5% Hair Treatment Mask
A spray formulation that improves hair porosity and protects against heat is perfect for those on the go. A few spritzes are all you need to balance your hair pH, control frizziness, and curb cuticle damage by limiting friction and breakage.
Nykaa Recommends: Matrix Opti.Repair 5-In-1 Porosity Spray
While topical application can go a long way to tackle the problem head-on, oral supplements can help nip the problem in the bud. Vitamin and mineral-infused gummies promise holistic hair health while reducing hair fall.
Nykaa Recommends: Be Bodywise 5000 mcg Biotin Gummies
