Hair SOS: 11 Ways To Fix Damaged Hair

Having damaged hair can be frustrating, but it’s rarely insurmountable. In most cases, targeted TLC can help restore your strands’ healthy look and feel. So if you find yourself battling dryness, brittleness, and split ends due to excessive heat styling, coloring, or bleaching, a proper haircare routine is a must.

Here, we’re sharing everything you need to know about damaged hair, including what it looks like, what can cause it, and—most importantly—what you can do to improve the signs of damage. We’ll also share details on some of our best shampoos for damaged hair and other essentials to add to your routine.

What Does Damaged Hair Look Like?

You can often spot damaged hair by the presence of split ends, flyaways, and a dry, brittle texture. Breakage can make strands look dull and frizzy, and you may notice your hair tangles and sheds more easily, making brushing a struggle. In more advanced cases, thinning or temporary hair loss can occur, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

Damage can also show up in more subtle ways, such as changes to your hair’s texture or pattern. Straight hair may start to feel coarse or rough, while curly or coily hair may develop a looser, less defined curl pattern. Checking in on your hair’s condition regularly can help you catch these shifts early—and signal when it might be time to adjust your haircare routine.

What Causes Damaged Hair?

Damaged strands are often the result of several overlapping factors, some of which we’ve already discussed. Below, we break down three of the most common causes of hair damage.

1. Bleach

To understand how bleach can damage hair, it helps to know a bit about the hair’s structure. Each strand is held together by three types of bonds—hydrogen, salt, and disulfide—which collectively determine your hair’s strength and shape. The bleaching process can permanently break disulfide bonds, the strongest of the three. When these bonds are disrupted, the hair’s structure weakens, leading to dryness, breakage, and split ends.

It’s also worth noting that disulfide bonds are far more difficult to repair than hydrogen or salt bonds, which is why bleach damage can be especially stubborn and long-lasting.

2. Hair color

Permanent hair color can also contribute to dryness and damage. To deposit long-lasting pigment, permanent dyes work by lifting the hair’s cuticle—the protective outer layer of each strand—so the new color molecules can enter. Repeated lifting of the cuticle makes the hair more porous and less able to retain moisture, which can lead to brittleness, dehydration, and breakage over time.

Because of this, it’s best to give your hair a breather between color sessions (generally about six to eight weeks). The AAD also suggests opting for a slightly darker shade rather than lifting to a lighter one when possible, as going darker doesn’t inflict as much damage on the hair.

3. Heat styling

Hot tools are great for creating sleek blowouts and defined curls, but frequent use can take a toll on your hair. Many styling tools can reach extremely high temperatures, which can weaken the hair’s structure, leading to dryness, breakage, and overall damage.

Using heat in moderation is fine, as long as you follow healthy styling practices. Always apply a heat protectant before blow-drying, straightening, or curling your hair (we love the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Leave-In) and be mindful of your temperature settings. Keep your tools on a lower heat setting and avoid passing over the same section repeatedly to help protect your hair from unnecessary damage.

Can Damaged Hair Be Repaired?

While hair damage can’t be fully reversed, it can be managed—and its appearance can be noticeably improved with the right routine and consistent care.

The first step is identifying what type of damage you’re dealing with. Most falls into one of three categories: heat damage, chemical damage, or mechanical damage. Heat damage typically comes from frequent use of hot styling tools. Chemical damage results from treatments like coloring, relaxing, or bleaching. Finally, mechanical damage happens when the hair is handled roughly or frequently worn in tight, high-tension hairstyles.

No matter the cause, the goal is to restore the look and feel of your strands with a routine tailored to your specific type of damage. With time, the right products, and gentle styling habits, the hair can become smoother, softer, and more manageable. And if your routine isn’t delivering the results you want, you can always work with a stylist to trim away the most compromised ends so your hair can start fresh.

How To Care for Damaged Hair

If you’re looking to revive damaged hair, bond-repairing products—like those in the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair system—can be extremely helpful. This fortifying line is designed for hair that’s feeling weak, brittle, or over-processed, and works to help reinforce the hair’s structure so it feels stronger and more resilient over time.

The full system includes the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Bond Repair Conditioner, and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair Hair Oil-in-Serum. Used together, these formulas work inside the hair fiber to reinforce weakened hair bonds while also smoothing the cuticle for softer, more manageable strands. The system can also make detangling easier, which may help reduce future breakage.

To get the most out of the routine, start by applying the pre-shampoo treatment to damp hair and let it sit for five to 10 minutes. Then follow with the shampoo and conditioner, and finish by applying the oil-in-serum to your hair before or after styling (the powerful formula doubles as a heat protectant). You’ll notice your hair feels smoother and softer after a single use, while continued use helps strengthen the hair to help protect against future damage.

11 Tips To Help Manage and Repair Damaged Hair

Contrary to popular belief, there are several ways to manage current damage and prevent future breakage before making the tough decision of chopping off your locks. Here are 11 tips for caring for damaged hair—only one of which involves losing any length.

1. Start with the right shampoo

The right shampoo sets the tone for repair. If your goal is to find the best shampoo for damaged hair, jump straight to our tailored picks

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• Best Shampoo for Bleach-Damaged Hair
• Best Shampoo for Heat-Damaged Hair
• Best Bond Repair Shampoo for Damaged Hair
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• Best Shampoo To Buy for Damaged Hair

2. Wash your hair with lukewarm water

Hot, steamy showers feel great on your skin, but all that heat can do a number on your hair, especially when you have damaged strands. Super-hot water can strip your hair of essential oils, making it feel drier and prematurely fading your hair color.

So, turn down the dial and rinse your hair in lukewarm water the next time you wash it. It may not feel as indulgent in the moment, but your hair will thank you.

3. Use a deep conditioning treatment

If you’re not already using a deep conditioner in your weekly haircare routine, it’s time to start. Deep conditioning treatments target common signs of hair damage like dryness, split ends, and breakage. Plus, many deep conditioning treatments contain nourishing haircare ingredients, such as proteins and peptides, to strengthen hair while protecting it against future damage. If you don’t want to spend 15 minutes in the shower waiting for your hair mask to soak in, try the L'Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing 5-Min Lamination Hair Mask—it seals hair fibers and boosts shine in as little as five minutes.

4. Apply a leave-in conditioner

Applying a hydrating leave-in conditioner after washing your hair can help reduce frizz, minimize the appearance of split ends, and prevent damage. A great leave-in can also make the hair look and feel softer and more manageable.

The L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Moisture 21-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner is a great choice because it helps hydrate the hair, tames frizz, adds shine, and protects against temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.. If you have curls, consider reaching for the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-In Conditioner, which helps you achieve hydrated and bouncy curls without weighing them down.

5. Dry your hair with a T-shirt

Instead of tossing your old, faded T-shirts, use them to plop your hair after hopping out of the shower. Aggressively rubbing your hair dry with a standard towel can lead to breakage, regardless of how healthy your hair is.

Cotton tees work well because they’re absorbent but gentle on hair. Remember, gentleness is the name of the game when caring for damaged hair. Another great alternative is a microfiber towel, which has a softer texture that’s gentle on strands.

6. Avoid over-brushing your hair

That old saying about brushing your hair for 100 strokes before bed to keep it smooth and soft? It’s not true. According to the AAD, over-brushing your mane can actually cause more damage in the long run. The friction created by frequent brushing can weaken the outer layer of your hair and increase the likelihood of breakage.

7. Switch to a wide-tooth comb

Aggressively tugging at tangles with a hairbrush can lead to serious hair breakage. This is true for dry hair, but especially so for wet hair, which is more fragile.

To detangle wet hair, it’s best to use a wide-tooth comb. The larger spaces between the teeth can help loosen tangles with less tugging and friction than a traditional hairbrush.

If your hair is susceptible to tangling, using a detangler can make it easier to work through. Work your chosen formula throughout your lengths and ends, then detangle from the bottom up to loosen stubborn knots without yanking at your fragile strands.

8. Always use a heat protectant

Before creating voluminous curls or a sleek blowout, always apply a heat protectant. This should be your first step anytime you use hot tools, but it’s especially crucial if you’re already seeing signs of damage. Heat protectants create a lightweight barrier that helps minimize moisture loss and stress from high temperatures, so your hair is better protected as you style.

For a smooth, sleek look, try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In. It helps tame frizz and flyaways and seal split ends while shielding your strands from temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

9. Try heatless hairstyles

Heat protectants can be game-changing, but if your hair is severely damaged, we recommend avoiding heat styling altogether. Embracing your natural hair texture and opting for heatless hairstyles are two great ways to give your strands a break from hot tools, which are a major cause of damage.

If you have curly hair, apply a curl-defining leave-in treatment like L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-In Conditioner, then try scrunching your strands to enhance your curl pattern and add volume. For those with naturally straight hair, try experimenting with heatless styles like overnight beach waves, low ponytails, and messy buns.

10. Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase

As mentioned, friction and tugging from regularly brushing your hair can lead to breakage. But there’s another sneaky culprit of hair breakage: your cotton pillowcase. Your hair can snag on the fabric as you move about during the night, leading to damage.

A silk or satin pillowcase can be a gentler option. Because these fabrics are soft and silky to the touch, your hair is less likely to snag, resulting in fewer tangles and less frizz when you wake up.

11. Get a haircut

While there’s a lot you can do to preserve damaged hair, sometimes your hair needs a fresh start. If you’re dealing with severe hair breakage, a haircut is the only way to avoid breakage creeping further up your hair.

Long strands are gorgeous, but short styles like the textured lob and the box bob are totally having a moment. Use this as an opportunity to switch up your look and experiment with a new hairstyle. Who knows, you may end up loving your cropped ‘do so much that it becomes your new signature look.

If your ultimate goal is to grow your hair, add regular hair dustings to your routine rather than trims. A hair dusting targets only dry, split ends. This technique will help remove the damaged bits of your hair without sacrificing much length.

How Do I Fix Extremely Damaged Hair?

When your hair is extremely damaged, gentle care is essential. Try to avoid heat styling, additional hair coloring, and bleaching while you work toward restoring healthier-looking strands. It can also help to cut back on how often you wash your hair—aiming for no more than two washes per week—since overwashing can strip moisture and contribute to dryness.

Incorporating a protein treatment into your routine is also beneficial, as it can help support the hair’s structure while leaving it feeling smoother and softer. One option is the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi-Use Treatment, which is formulated with caring ingredients to help improve the look and feel of damaged hair. It’s versatile, too: you can use it as a co-wash to gently cleanse while adding conditioning benefits, or as a leave-in treatment to help strengthen and soften your hair throughout the day.

Next Up: The Best Treatments for Heat-Damaged Hair

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris