Every woman has one of those days when she really just wants to go blonde, purple, red or some other trendy color. On those days, it could seem like a good idea to reach for the bleach. Now that you’ve done it, however, you don’t know what to do. Your hair is upset at you for damaging it so severely, so it now looks like a straw-like mess. All you want is for your hair to go back to your natural color, healthy tips and all.
Before you chop off all your hair in a fit of desperation, here are some things you can do to repair the damage and love your locks again.
Hair masks come in all different shapes and sizes. From DIY to high-end, a weekly hair mask suited for colored, damaged hair is essential for your stressed tresses. Hair stylist Riawna Capri via Allure recommends that you use a hair mask in lieu of your regular conditioner whenever you wash it. “Long hair is old, and it needs more attention,” she says.
Olaplex made its way into the mainstream after Kim K tweeted about how it has benefited her newly-bleached, platinum blonde hair. This product is known as a miracle product in many circles. According to the Olaplex website, the bond multiplier allows you the freedom to “go blonder” and to “Push the envelope further without compromising the integrity of hair. From the photo shoot to the salon chair, colorists are set free from the fear of damaged hair.”
“Sulfates are detergents and they’re extremely good at what they do, cleansing [hair and the scalp] by cutting through dirt and grime,” says Ni’Kita Wilson, a cosmetic chemist in New Jersey, to Women’s Health. If your hair is suffering from the sins of your past, it’s best to invest in a sulfate-free cleansing system or decrease the number of times you wash your hair to once a week. This is the perfect solution for women who want to relive their healthy hair days.
The benefits of a healthy diet are often underestimated. Sometimes, even when you’re trying to eat clean, you may still be missing out on a host of essential vitamins needed for hair health. Dr. Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic, tells Huffington Post, “Daily multivitamins or prenatal supplements help to fill gaps found in our diets. We tend to restrict carbohydrates or fats for weight loss or replace them with juices, but vitamins contain important nutrients like biotin, zinc, and B-complex that help to enhance the health of our hair.” Give your hair some love with supplements and vitamin-rich foods to nourish you inside and out.
Your hair has been through some trauma and it needs some space. Start fresh with a nice trim, as “the ends are drying and splitting, so you’re not getting the length,” explains Stephen Pullan, hair specialist at the Philip Kingsley Trichological Clinic. Lock away your straighteners and don’t color it again for a while. The best thing you can do for your hair when it’s damaged is to leave it alone. Once you are ready to show your new trendy style some love, it will do what you’ve wanted it to do all along – love you back.
