While I could go on for hours about the ways our hair becomes fried and why those should be cut out of our lives if possible, today I’m going to talk about how to fix fried hair. NO matter what level of damage your hair has accumulated from sun damage, bleach, or any of the other causes, there is always hope for your hair to turn the corner and come out brighter and healthier on the other side.
I know it feels like a long journey ahead. Yes, it will take some time and dedication. However, the road to recovery is not as far away as you might think. Follow my 10 step redemidies to repair fried hair, and I promise you will start seeing results in no time.
1. Cut it Off Girl
First thing to check off the list when you realize you need to do some serious damage control to fix your fried hair is to make the big chop. For those of us who love our long locks, this can be a big no as a first response. I know how you feel. Each inch counts, but I promise, the more you chop off, the quicker your hair will return to its healthy and happy state.
While you can replenish your hair from damage, you definitely cannot bring back the split ends from the dead, sadly. So if you can’t bear cutting off 6 inches, at least give up an inch or two to make sure you cut off those split ends that are preventing your hair from thriving.
2. Protection from the Heat
Next, you want to incorporate heat protecting habits in your daily routine. This means applying a heat protectant everyday, even if you are just running an errand. This will protect your hair from the sun which is one of the most common culprits for hair damage. You can also wear a hat and keep your hair pulled up to protect it from the sun.
Another part of protecting your hair is pulling back on heat styling or even cutting it out altogether. If you can’t commit to this permanently, at least give it a shot until your hair begins the repairing process. There are loads of heatless curls and even straightening tricks that can look just as good as heat tools with much less damage on your hair. Click here to read some of my favorites.
3. Moisture
The biggest issue with fried hair is a lack of moisture. When you set your hair up for success with a fresh cut and preventative care, you can begin adding in the crucial moisture to allow your hair to return to the bouncy and shiny hair you once knew and loved.
This can be accomplished in a few different ways. First things first, you need to choose a shampoo and conditioner that are healthy and specifically catered to locking in moisture. Argan oil is a great main ingredient for both of these. It is rich in moisture centered characteristics that help your hair.
You can also incorporate a leave-in conditioner into your hair routine. This will lock in extra moisture that your regular conditioner doesn’t. I like to add 3 pumps to my hands and rub it all over my hair then brush through my hair to help spread the product out.
Lastly, every two weeks or so you can try using a hair mask. These go on your hair after shampoo when it’s still damp. Let them set for 15 to 20 minutes depending on the specific mask. Think of this as the extra moisture point your hair needs to fill up the tank for a few weeks. These were crucial to my hair journey after severe damage.
4. Oils
Lastly, adding oils into your hair care routine are another means of adding moisture. There are loads of oil options that can cater to your specific hair type and level of hair damage. Check out my other articles on hair oils to get a sense of direction of where to start.
I like to do oil treatments on my hair once a week. Let the oil sit in your hair for as long as possible before your shower, minimum 30 minutes to an hour. Give your roots and ends the most attention. Wash your hair as normal.
I also add a tiny bit of oil to my hair after my shower to help manage frizz and as another moisture means. Be sure to only add to the ends for this part, since the oil will sit on your scalp and make it appear oily faster than normal.
