REPAIRING DEAD HAIR

Hi guys, I thought I would start my first post by writing about the topic I have done the most research on. I have gone through years of trial and error trying to transform my hair from a puffy, dead, mess to tamed curls/waves. Keep reading to see the techniques!

Many people who have frizzy or puffy hair actually have a nice wave or curl pattern, they just don't know it because they don't have the proper routine.

"How long does it take to repair hair?"

After a few months of laying off the straightener and using healthy products and techniques, I saw a big difference in my hair. Here are two pictures of sophomore year of high school (rough lol), compared to now. You can see that the hair was dead from coloring and straightening, but there was still a slight curl pattern. When your hair is dried out, it tends to be puffy, dull, frizzy, and stringy. After using new methods, my hair has transformed into smoother, shinier, bouncier, and more moisturized curls/waves.

Ways to bring literally fried hair back to life:

(Side note: I will go more in depth in future posts but these are the steps you should take to start)

1) Stop using hair dye, heat, and poor quality products

If you need to color your hair, going darker would be a much better option. Any type of highlights or bleach will cause significant damage to the hair and take you back to the beginning. The healthiest option would be to go for a semi or demi permanent color, because it does not open up the shaft. It is very hard for me to use ZERO heat because I like to do big curls for a blow out look, or sometimes a sleek straight look. But... I try to only do those like once a month. When I diffuse, I use little to no heat. In terms of products, start by throwing away shampoo and conditioner that contain sulfates, parabens, silicones, or alcohols.

If you need to check a specific product, just scan the barcode on this website:

2) Cut and condition, but wash less!

Even though we usually don't want to, trimming the ends of the hair is important to keep split ends from going up the whole shaft. Adding layers would be a good way to improve hair health as well as maintain length -- they will also give you more volume and bounce! While showering, I do not wash my hair every single time, more like every 2-4 days. Especially with textured hair, if you wash less you can train your hair to feel less dirty because it gets used to it. Over washing your hair dries it out and does not allow the natural oils nourish and make their way down the hair. Even when I don't wash, I always put in my conditioner, comb it through with a wide tooth comb, and tie it up to soak in while I do the rest of my shower routine. I also deep condition once a week to keep my hair extra hydrated and reduce damage (especially after using heat). I like to leave it in overnight and rinse with cold water in the morning.

Here is the link to my new favorite mask: https://www.sheamoisture.com/manuka-honey-and-mafura-oil-intensive-hydration-masque-354ml/7643022209094.html (it smells amazing!)

3) Use Hair Oils

The oil that you naturally produce are not enough to keep the hair moisturized. Using natural oils in your hair such as coconut oil, olive oil, avocado oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil are cheap and effective. You can apply them directly (it helps to heat them up), let them sit for a while, then wash them out. These oils will promote growth and provide your hair with vitamins and minerals that contribute to deep repair. Oils will keep your hair protected from possible damage and breakage, as well as add a healthy shine. While you are between washes, you can also apply a little to dry hair to help to tame frizz and keep it from feeling dry or brittle.

4) Have a Routine

It is important to set a good hair care routine in place. Treating your hair right regularly and continuously is the only way to achieve healthy hair. Through trial and error, you can find the products that work best with your texture specifically and incorporate them into your routine. Taking small steps and learning to care for your hair can help to achieve a healthier, cleaner look, and is sure to improve confidence. After a few months, watch your hair start and continue to transform more than you think!

Look out for my personal shower and style routine to be explained more in depth coming soon!