If you dedicate part of your time to keep your body in shape with a balanced diet and regular exercise, you should also set some time to take care of your hair. Split ends, dandruff, and breakage are common complaints of those who style their hair regularly and don’t care for it as much as they do for their body.
Moreover, modern trends like hair smoothening, hair straightening, dyeing, bleaching, and other treatments can damage healthy hair. Here are some signs of damaged hair that you may not be aware of.
Signs Of Damaged Hair
It’s hard to tell when your hair is damaged unless the damage is severe. Some of the signs of damaged hair are as follows:
- Brittle Hair: This is a common sign of damaged hair. If you notice short strands of hair among longer ones, it means the hair is prone to breakage. Chemical treatments can also cause brittle hair. Brushing your hair roughly using an inappropriate comb may also cause breakage.
- Sun Bleached Hair: Overexposure to the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun can cause damage to the hair. It can also break down melanin – the pigment that gives hair its color.
- Dull Hair: When your hair lacks its natural oils to moisturize it, it leaves you with dull hair.
- Dry Hair: If your hair is damaged, the scales from the outer layer of the hair (cuticle) separate out and can lead to dry hair.
If you think you have damaged hair, here are some easy tips you can follow to avoid further damage.
Hair Care Tips For Damaged Hair
How you treat your hair is a reflection of how it looks. If you are not taking care of your hair well, the result is dull, damaged hair. Here are some hair care tips you can follow to avoid damaging your hair.
- Choose a sulfate-free shampoo and a hydrating conditioner rich in keratin protein.
- Try air drying your hair instead of blow drying it to prevent damage.
- Dry your wet hair using a towel as it can make a difference to the texture of your hair.
- Use the right kind of brush to comb your hair and never detangle it using a brush.
- Avoid hair products available at the drugstores that are loaded with chemicals. Instead, use products that are rich in natural ingredients like Tamanu oil or blue agave nectar.
If you’ve observed signs of dull or damaged hair and want to change that back to healthy hair, you can do so with the help of some natural remedies.
Natural Remedies That Can Treat Damaged Hair
Here are some natural remedies you can try at home to treat damaged hair.
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is beneficial for hair due to the presence of lauric acid. Studies have reported that coconut oil can penetrate the hair shaft and protect the hair from protein loss. 1 It can also help moisturize your hair and protect it from further damage.
How To Use: Take a quarter cup of warm coconut oil. Massage it thoroughly to your hair, from the root to the tip. Wash your hair after an hour with a suitable shampoo.
2. Olive Oil
Olive oil is rich in vitamin E and fatty acids omega 3,6, and 9 that nourish the hair follicles. Oleic acid present in olive oil can restore and rejuvenate both hair and scalp. It can improve your hair’s elasticity and provides moisture and shine to your hair as well.
How To Use: Massage warm olive oil into your hair from the roots to the tip. Let it remain at least for an hour and wash with a suitable shampoo.
3. Castor Oil
Castor oil is unsaturated oil and is believed to rejuvenate the hair.2
How To Use: You can massage the castor oil into the scalp and keep it overnight. Wash your hair the following morning with a suitable shampoo. An alternative method to apply castor oil is by massaging the oil into the scalp and wrapping a warm towel around the head. Leave it on for 30 minutes and wash with a mild shampoo and conditioner.
4. Jojoba Oil
Jojoba is a natural cleansing, which penetrates and breaks down build up of sebum that clogs the hair follicles, preventing good hair growth. It also provides nourishment and strength to damaged hair. It also locks moisture and gives it a natural shine.3
How To Use: You can purchase a shampoo enriched with jojoba oil that can cleanse the scalp and allow your hair to grow freely.
5. Gooseberry Oil
Gooseberry is rich in vitamin C and makes it a very effective hair tonic. It is used to cure hair and scalp-related problems such as dull or dry hair, dandruff, and hair loss. It promotes hair growth and also prevents premature graying.4
How To Use: Gooseberry oil can be massaged into the hair and scalp like any other oil. Let it remain for 15 minutes and rinse with water and a suitable shampoo.
6. Avocado And Egg Hair Mask
Avocados contain phytosterols, vitamin E, and monounsaturated fatty acids that work as a good conditioning for stressed-out hair. Proteins in eggs can moisturize your hair and promote hair growth.
How To Use: Take ½ an avocado, mash it well. Mix it with 2 egg yolks. Apply the mixture to your wet hair. Gently massage it into your scalp and leave it for 20 minutes. Rinse and wash your hair thoroughly with cold water.
7. Egg Wash
As mentioned earlier, eggs are rich in proteins and work well on damaged hair and to promote hair growth.
How To Use: You can combine a couple of egg yolks with some olive oil for a protein-rich treatment. Leave the mixture on for twenty to thirty minutes and rinse off with cold water to strengthen hair.
8. Banana Hair Mask
Bananas are rich in natural oils and vitamins. They are ideal to treat damaged hair because they can improve the elasticity of the hair and prevent breakage and split ends.5
How To Use: Puree a couple of ripe bananas with a couple of tablespoons of honey and a tablespoon of olive oil to make a conditioning mask. Wet your hair with warm water and apply the mask. Make sure you leave the mask on for at least fifteen minutes. You can cover your hair with a plastic shower cap or warm towel so the mask really soaks in. Rinse off afterward.
9. Honey Wash
Honey is a humectant and can help retain moisture. This makes it an excellent conditioner.
How To Use: You can add a teaspoon of honey to a cup of warm water and apply to wet hair. Wash off after ten minutes. You can also mix honey and coconut oil to give your hair an extra shine.
10. Yogurt Conditioner
Yogurt has moisturizing properties which make it a natural conditioner. It also contains proteins that can nourish and strengthen your hair.
How To Use: Whisk an egg yolk with some plain yogurt and massage it into your hair. Leave it on for about 15–20 minutes and rinse with water. Alternatively, you can also blend together 1 tsp of olive oil, 1 tbsp of honey, and ¼ cup yogurt. Apply it to your hair and wash your hair after 20 minutes. You can also prepare this mask without adding olive oil.
11. Apple Cider Vinegar Mask
Apple cider vinegar has many properties that are beneficial for the hair. Its antifungal properties help fight dandruff. It also contains natural alpha hydroxy acid, which can gently exfoliate the scalp and hair.
How To Use: Mix 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 3 egg whites. Rub the mixture into your hair. Leave it on for about half an hour. Keep your hair covered using a shower cap during this time. Shampoo and rinse later.
12. Tea
You can use tea to restore the natural shine your hair once had. This should be used after applying shampoo and rinsing it off with water.6
How To Use: After your regular shampoo, use half a cup of warm tea as a final rinse. Do not add sugar to the tea.
13. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains certain proteolytic enzymes which repair dead skin cells on the scalp. It is also a good conditioner and can leave your feeling smooth and shiny.
How To Use: Mix aloe vera juice and coconut oil and apply it to your hair and scalp. Let it sit for half an hour and wash it off with a suitable shampoo.
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