How to Repair Damaged Hair in 7 Highly Effective Steps

Suffering from damaged hair? You are not alone! Here are some of our highly recommended steps on how to repair damaged hair.

In today's busy, dynamic and often stressful world, damaged hair is more common than you think - according to a study conducted by Protect & Gamble, approximately 57% of women in the US perceive their hair is damaged in one way or another.

And what's worse, 90% of women do something every day that may cause hair damage in the long run! However, don't let these stats stress you out - luckily, there are things you can do to mitigate damage and enjoy a beautiful, healthy, and shiny mane.

So, without wasting any more time, let's get straight into our article on how to repair damaged hair in a few highly effective steps. 

What causes hair damage?

Before we get into the solutions (don't worry, we are almost there!), it's very important to understand what causes hair damage in the first place. After all, proposing a fix without knowing why something is happening may not be the most effective strategy.

You can read our article on the causes of hair damage to get more details on the topic - but here is a summary so you can get a better idea of the situation:

• Exposure to high temperatures - if you are using thermal hair styling tools, make sure that you are using the right temperature for your type of hair to avoid heat-related damage. Here's how to find the best temperature for your hair type. 
• Harsh chemical treatments - frequent perming, chemical straightening, and coloring strip your hair of its natural oils and proteins, which may lead to damage in the long run. 
• Nutritional deficiencies - lack of essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins may also lead to hair damage and hair thinning. The most common deficiencies are in iron, protein, vitamin D, zinc, and Omega-3 fatty acids. 
• Medications and medical conditions - certain medications and medical conditions can also lead to hair damage - this includes, but is not limited to blood thinners, antidepressants, autoimmune diseases and more. Speak to your medical professional for more guidance.
• Low-quality hair care products - if your hair care routine consists of low-quality hair products, especially ones full of silicones, parabens and sulfates, you may end up with damage in the long run. 
• Tight hairstyles and elastic hair bands - being harsh and aggressive to your hair is a guaranteed way to cause damage. Avoid using elastic hair bands or putting your hair on tight hairstyles - ironing wet hair and excessive washing are an absolute no-no!
• Environmental factors - environmental factors like sun exposure, pollution, humidity and weather changes, as well as hard water, are other things you should pay attention to if you want to repair damaged hair.
• Product buildup - heavy hair products, especially ones that use silicones, can lead to product buildup on your scalp and hair. Buildup is bad because it can clog the hair follicles, leading to scalp irritation, dandruff, and even hair loss in the worst cases. 
• Lack of moisturization - another factor that can lead to hair damage is lack of moisturization to your hair and scalp. Without adequate hydration, hair becomes dry and less flexible, making it more prone to snapping and breaking. 
• Stress - stress is among the biggest contributor for a lot of health issues that happen to our body, and this also includes common hair problems. It can trigger multiple hair conditions such as Telogen Effluvium, Alopecia Areata, and Trichotillomania, as well as scalp problems. 

How to repair damaged hair in 7 highly effective steps

And now, on to the part that you were waiting for - how to repair damaged hair in several highly effective steps.

It's important to keep in mind that every hair is different, and severe damage may take years to repair - you need to be constant and consult your healthcare professional if the issue goes beyond your regular hair care routine.

So, here are a few ways in which you can repair damaged hair:

1. Eat a healthy diet

As we mentioned earlier, nutritional deficiencies are a huge factor that contributes to damaged hair. Taking an adequate amount of protein, iron, vitamin A, E, and C, Omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and other vitamins and minerals provides the essential nutrients that your hair needs to be strong, elastic and healthy.

Proteins rebuild hair structure, while vitamins and minerals like biotin, iron, and zinc support follicle health and prevent hair loss.

So, make sure to eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water - about 15.5 cups for men, and 11.5 cups for women according to Harvard Health. 

2. Use a repair leave-in mask

Another highly effective way to repair damaged hair is to use a repair leave-in mask to provide deep nourishment and hydration to your hair, such as the ReNu21 Nano Repair Leave in Mask by NuMe. 

Formulated with 21 amino acids, this one-of-a-kind mask is curated to reconstruct damaged hair and reconnect broken bonds by mimicking hair structure. The result is a shinier, healthier, and stronger hair without damage.

3. Reduce stress

If you want to repair damaged hair, it is extremely important to find ways to reduce stress - as we mentioned earlier, stress can unlock multiple hair (and other health-related conditions) like Telogen Effluvium and Alopecia Areata, both of which end up in hair loss. 

Thus, proper stress management will play a key role when it comes to improving your overall health and having flourishing and strong hair. Activities like yoga, walking, swimming, as well as mindfulness and meditation can go a long way in enhancing your health. 

In addition, it is crucial to ensure that you get enough restful sleep, proper nutrition and plenty of water, on top of improving your time management. If stress becomes too overwhelming, make sure to seek the help from a professional. 

4. Be gentle to your hair 

Another way to repair damaged hair, and prevent additional damage, is to ensure that you are gentle to your hair. Avoid aggressive hairstyles and tight updos, don't brush your hair aggressively (especially if it's wet!), and avoid rubbing it vigorously when drying.

In addition, ensuring that you are straightening or curling your hair with a tourmaline-plated heat styling tool like the NuMe Megastar Flat Iron is a must - that's because tools made from the gemstone tourmaline emit up to 6 times more negative ions than other materials, which help to reduce damage and lock in moisture.

If possible, avoid chemical treatments like perming and coloring as they can be extremely damaging for your hair. Hard water can also be "hard" on your hair - make sure that you install a shower filter, and moisturize regularly with a conditioner to counteract its effects.

5. Ensure proper moisturization

As we mentioned earlier, dry hair tends to be more prone to damage. The lack of moisture causes it to be less elastic and more brittle, which increases the risk of breakage during styling or combing.

Inadequate moisture also weakens the hair shaft, making it more susceptible to split ends and fraying. Dry hair also has a rougher texture, leading to increased friction and tangles, which can cause mechanical damage during detangling.

For this reason, ensuring proper moisturization is a must if you want to repair damaged hair - we recommend a good, all-natural conditioner such as the NuMe Acai Conditioner. In addition, make sure that you are doing regular deep conditioning treatments with the NuMe Acai Mask. 

6. Take care of your scalp 

One of the most important ways to repair damaged hair is to take proper care of your scalp - after all, the scalp is where the follicles are located, and a healthy scalp environment promotes strong and healthy hair growth.

In addition, a well-cared-for scalp ensures that hair follicles receive the necessary nutrients and blood supply, crucial for repairing and maintaining hair health. 

Proper scalp care maintains the balance of natural oils, which condition and protect both the scalp and hair, preventing dryness and brittleness. So, if you want to repair damaged hair, we highly recommend the NuMe Hairology Scalp Serum.

7. Protect your hair from heat

As we explained earlier, heat can be very damaging for hair if you are not taking the right measures. That's because it strips moisture from the hair, alters the proteins that give hair its strength and elasticity, and damages the hair's outer protective layer (cuticle), leading to a rough texture and increased breakage.

So, make sure that you are protecting your hair from heat as much as possible. When using heat styling tools, always use tourmaline-plated ones to lock in moisture, and don't forget your thermal heat protectant before the styling process.

If you are going out, especially in the summer, wear a hat to protect your hair from sun damage - the UVA and UVB rays break down hair's protein structure, particularly keratin, weakening the hair shaft.

FAQ

Can damaged hair really be repaired?

Methods like deep conditioning, reducing heat styling on high temperatures, and regular trims can help manage and minimize visible damage, making hair look healthier and more manageable.

What is the fastest way to repair damaged hair?

The fastest way to repair damaged hair is through a combination of deep conditioning treatments, using protein-rich hair masks, and minimizing further damage.

Cutting off split ends with a trim can immediately improve hair's appearance. Avoiding heat styling and chemical treatments also accelerates recovery.

Does damaged hair grow back damaged?

Damaged hair does not grow back damaged. Hair growth originates from the follicles in the scalp, so new growth is healthy. However, existing damage on hair strands won't repair itself.

Proper scalp care and hair treatment are essential to maintain the health of new hair growth.

How many years does it take to repair damaged hair? 

The time to repair damaged hair varies, depending on the extent of damage and hair growth rate. Generally, hair grows about half an inch per month, so growing out damage can take months to years.

Consistent care with trims, proper nutrition, and avoiding harsh treatments accelerates improvement.