Preventing Damage
Damage to the hair is usually caused by heat (irons, blow drying, curlers, heat lamps, etc.), U.V. rays (Sun, lights, tanning beds), mechanical devices (combs, brushes, curling irons, etc.), chemicals (color, perms, relaxers, pool chemicals, the air, etc), or poor diet (specifically -lack of proteins and essential fatty acids).
Here are some ways to prevent or "help" prevent damage to your hair:
1) Use a thermal protector when using heat. See "thermal protectors" under conditioners
2) Do not blow dry the hair completely dry. Leave a little moisture in.
3) Use a conditioner with U.V. protectors built in.
4) Use a low or no ammonia hair color.
5) Air oxidize perms instead of using the neutralizer.
6) Never brush wet or damp hair. Use a wide toothed comb. See "tools"
7) On dry hair use a boars hair brush and start at the ends and work up.
8) Clarify your hair after you swim.
9) Blow dry on the "cool" setting.
10) Eat protein rich foods (chicken, fish, nuts) - Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids (not from animal sources [they contain cholesterol]-only from botanical sources) - See also faster growing hair
Quick Fixes
These are only temporary fixes. They do not provide real solutions to damaged hair. They provide a way to get the hair look good fast. Again, I hesitate to even write this column because I do not want to give you the impression these ideas should be used on a regular basis. True "fixes" are above and below this column.
1) "Scrunch" or mist a glosser into dry hair. Many companies claim glossers "repair the hair", they don't. They do coat the hair with a layer of silicone oil (dimethicone, cyclomethicone) see glossers under conditioners
2) Use a flexible styling gel. Apply to damp hair and blow dry or air dry.
3) Take 1-3 drops of mineral oil in your hand. Rub your hands together and "scrunch into dry hair.
Real Solutions for Damaged Hair
The following is written on the understanding you have already damaged your hair and need help to repair the damage.
Here are some real solutions that may take a little time. Please note also that damaged hair IS NOT necessarily dry hair. Dry hair (see) is a completely different topic. The tips below will only strengthen the hair.
1) Use Nexxus Emergencee once a day for a week, then drop off to once a week. Follow each Emergencee treatment with a good moisturizer.
2) Go to a salon that offers the L'anza Ultimate Treatment.
3) Start taking a good hair supplement (this will take time, as hair grows on average 1/2" per month)
4) Mix a "cocktail" of 1oz. Nexxus Humectress, 1oz. Nexxus Epitome, 1oz. Nexxus KerapHix, 1 teaspoon vegatable oil. Shake well, apply (the size of a quarter ) to clean towel dried hair, leave on for 10 minutes, rinse.
5) Another good "cocktail" is 1oz. Paul Mitchell Super Charged Conditioner, 1oz. Paul Mitchell Hair Repair, 1oz. L'anza Reconstructor. Mix well, apply the size of quarter to clean damp hair, leave on 10 minutes, rinse
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