Keletso Modisakeng gets expert advice and tips on repairing damaged hair.
Dull hair; dry, brittle ends that break easily and frizz are some of the signs that your hair is damaged and needs to be repaired. ‘If there’s ever a time for shiny, vibrant, luscious hair, it’s summer. But your hair may actually take a hit over the next few months. The sun and water can be damaging, leading to a faded colour, split ends and a brittle, dry texture,’ says Owen Mabena, a hairstylist from Dark and Lovely. The change of weather, heat, chemicals and over styling are some of the factors that contribute to damaged hair.
Cut it off
Trichoptilosis, commonly known as split ends, is when damaged hair breaks at the tips. Split ends are thinner than the rest of the hair and occur when a strand of hair splits in two or more due to a lack of care. Owen says there is no better way of taking care of split ends besides cutting them. Cutting your
hair shorter for summer is always one of the best choices as it allows you to trim the split and unhealthy hair while giving your head a fresh start. ‘The sun will do extra damage to hair that’s already dry, so if you remove those dead ends, you’ll be in better shape,’ advises Owen. He also recommends getting a trim every six to eight weeks to keep your hair healthy.
Wet and wild
Water is one of the healthiest natural resources that our body and hair needs. Owen, however, says that chlorine and salt from swimming in the pool or sea
damages the hair as they dehydrate it and leave it dull. Spraying your hair with clean water before swimming will add an extra layer of protection and reduce the amount of salt or chlorine it absorbs. The main requirement for repairing hair is to seal in as much moisture as you can. Owen also recommends using hydrating shampoos and conditioners to help speed up the healing process. Washing your hair will always refresh it while using a conditioner strengthens it due to the nutrients in the conditioner. You only need a small amount of hair shampoo to wash your hair. According to Owen, you need to focus on the middle and tips of your hair when applying conditioner, then massaging it into the roots and scalp.
Style it down
Avoid hairstyles like braids, ponytails and weaves that require you to pull the hair. Your hair is stressed already, and pulling tight on it will break it, as well as strain the roots and scalp. Owen says that a softly tied ponytail or bun is one of the best hairstyles as it will protect your scalp from being exposed
to the sun. He also suggests alternating the way you tie your hair between up to low one day, high another and to the side the next. This will cause less stress to the hair strands along the hairline. Damaged hair is dry so adding heat to it with dryers and curling irons will make it more brittle and eventually kill it. Use hair rollers and hair clips to style your hair instead, as these don’t require heat and will not harm the hair. Avoid relaxing or adding
colour when your hair is damaged.
Product knowledge
Treat your hair as you would treat your skin. You apply sunscreen on your skin every day before going outside, so take the same steps when it comes to
your hair. Owen suggests you use sun protecting hair products designed to shield your hair from the UV rays. These products can help prevent the hair from changing colour and drying out.
Tip: Night care
Because of the split ends, your hair is static and frizzy. Owen says using extra conditioner will help repair your hair cuticles. He suggests wrapping your hair at night to help reduce the frizz and avoid breakage.
