How To Fix Damaged Hair By Doing These 9 Steps

If you’re anything like me and love styling your hair, whether it’s straightening, curling, or using hot rollers to keep things looking polished, chances are, you’ve done some serious damage over time. Trust me, I’ve been there. So in this post, I’m sharing my personal experience about how to fix damaged hair and the things I do to bring my hair back to life.

But as you can probably guess, my hair? Yes, it’s seen better days for sure. The constant heat, chemical treatment with dyes and my never-ending quest for the perfect style mean my hair goes through a cycle of looking amazing one day and feeling like a dry overcooked noodle the next. So we are talking some serious damage here. My ends get frizzy, my hair starts breaking, and suddenly that salon-fresh look turns into a frizzy, dull disaster. what else should I expect.

Since my hair has been through a lot (I am thinking heat damage, color treatments, and a lifetime of questionable styling choices), its absolutely important for me to give it the love and care it deserves. If I want my strands to stay healthy, shiny, and not feel like straw, I need to put in the work.

Let’s be real, how your hair looks can totally impact your confidence. You can have it freshly washed and perfectly styled, but if it’s damaged, it just won’t have that healthy, effortless vibe. No matter how much effort you put into styling, rough, brittle hair will still look, well… rough. So let’s talk about how to fix that damaged hair.

Here’s everything I am committing to for my hair:

1. Heat Protection is a must

Before using any heat tools, whether I’m straightening my hair, curling it, or going for a bouncy blowout, I always make sure to apply a heat protectant first. It’s something that I have learned after a long time but I never skip it because, there is no rocket science in knowing that heat styling can be brutal on hair.

So I do use heat protection (my current heat protection is in the form of oil) to help create a barrier between my hair and the high temperature. I usually go for a lightweight spray or oils, that won’t weigh my hair down but still gives enough protection.

2. Deep Conditioning

This is a non-negotiable step for me. If you’re into hair masks, they’re definitely the way to go instead of regular conditioners. Masks are way more concentrated and pack a serious hydration punch, doing the kind of heavy lifting that conditioners just can’t. I personally use a hair mask after every single wash, letting it sit for about 15 minutes. And honestly? It makes such a difference, my hair feels so much softer, and I can now detangle my hair effortlessly with just using my fingers.

3. Oiling for some extra TLC

I oil my hair at least once a week, ideally before every wash, but let’s be real, sometimes life gets in the way. Still, I make sure to do it at least once a week, no matter what. And trust me, the difference is huge. My hair feels so much smoother and healthier when I stick to oiling compared to when I skip it.

4. Reducing number of washes per week

I used to wash my hair way too often, multiple times a week. But I’ve learned the hard way that if you take care of your hair properly, you don’t actually need all those extra washes. Now that my hair is healthier, it still looks smooth and fresh even on day three. So, I’ve cut it down to washing just twice a week, and I only reach for dry shampoo when I really feel like I need it.

5. Trimming my hair ends regularly

This won’t cost you a single penny, but trust me, it makes a world of difference. I make sure to trim my ends at least twice a month. Of course, it all depends on how fast your hair grows, if your hair grows quickly, aim for twice a month, but if it takes its sweet time, once a month should do the trick.

6. Gentle on my wet hair

I no longer aggressively towel-dry or brush through my wet hair because wet hair is way more fragile, and forcing a brush through it is just asking for breakage. Instead, I’ve switched to a microfiber towel to gently squeeze out excess water and a wide-tooth wooden comb to detangle without causing damage.

7. Investing in scrunchies

Protecting my hair while I sleep has become a priority. I’ve learned to invest in satin scrunchies and make loose braids before bed to prevent damage while I sleep. If I don’t braid my hair to avoid waking up with curls, I’ll go for a loose bun instead.

8. Silk pillows

Of course, I’ve swapped out my cotton pillowcases for silk ones. They’re not just great for my skin but also super gentle on my hair. Unlike cotton, which creates friction and leads to frizz, silk helps keep my hair smooth and tangle-free. Also back in the day, cotton pillow would cause my skin to become dry. I could literally feel the dry area over my cheek so silk pillows are not just a good investment for your hair but for your skin as well.

9. Avoid sulphates

There are plenty of well-known shampoos that seem amazing, but many of them contain harsh ingredients like sulfates. That’s why I always do thorough research before buying one. I also like to switch up my shampoo once I finish a bottle, depending on what my hair needs at the time, sometimes I go for hydrating shampoos, other times I opt for color-protecting ones. But no matter what, I make sure they’re free from harsh ingredients.

Some of these might seem like small changes, but trust me, every little step has made a huge difference in the overall health of my hair. My hair has gone from frizzy and unmanageable to smooth and healthy just by being consistent with these simple habits.