Hair Repair 101: Fix Your Dry, Over-Processed, Chemically Treated Hair- Fast!

Does your hair look like you've stuck your finger in an electrical outlet? Do you have frizziness, split ends and breakage that you just can't seem to get a handle on? I know how frustrating this problem can be. Whether you've had your hair relaxed, dyed it too much, bleached the you-know-what out of it or it's just suffering from a severe case of heat exhaustion, there are options that can help.

First of all, it's important to understand what your hair is going through. Harsh chemicals, heat from styling tools, and many other factors can cause your hair to dry out and become unruly. So, let's go over some basic ground rules for damaged hair. Remember that wet hair is most easily damaged, and it breaks much more easily than dry hair. Running a brush through wet hair can cause breakage that falls beyond repair. If your hair is damaged, purchase a wide toothed comb to detangle your wet hair after you shower. The wide teeth will prevent your hair from being pulled too hard, as it would be with a regular brush, therefore causing less damage. Next, for dry hair, invest in a soft bristled "baby" brush to smooth your hair, as these brushed disperse natural scalp oils into the hair follicles. This coats the dry hair and can make it look shinier and healthier. Also, remember that with dry, unruly hair, daily shampooing is often not required. If you feel like you need to shower daily, try rinsing your hair with warm water, and then applying a light conditioner. Shampooing too often can irritate the scalp and wash away helpful, natural oils. Sometimes, a rinse is all you really need.