Here is my article on what is dead hair and the ways you can fix dead hair!
I know that technically all hair is dead hair. But, we use the term dead hair quite often when referring to damaged hair.
We use the term “dead hair” to describe hair that has endured almost irreparable damage that may have been caused due to chemical treatments, heat styling tools, or even the weather.
I’m not going to lie but damaging hair is a lot easier than repairing it. However, if you feel like you have hit rock bottom, there may still be some hope.
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There are some things that you can do to prevent the occurrence of dead hair and repair some of it as well.
Now, you may think that the only effective solution is to chop off the dead hair and your dreams of long hair with it.
But before you pick up a pair of scissors, have a look at some of these tips and tricks that you can try to revive your dead hair and regain that silky and smooth look.
What Is Dead Hair And How To Prevent It
Before you can choose remedies to help repair dead hair, you need to understand what it is.
We know that hair is made up mainly of a strong protein called keratin and each strand grows from a follicle in the skin.
There is a reason why hair care routines and remedies focus primarily on the scalp and hair follicles. The hair follicle contains a hair bulb, where nutrients are delivered to the cells through blood vessels.
You can say that this is where living hair can be found. Old cells are continuously pushed and new ones are formed in the hair follicle.
This also explains why it doesn’t hurt when you cut your hair but you experience pain when you yank hair from the roots.
Dead hair is caused by damage to the outer protective layer of hair. This can happen for many reasons like friction, use of harsh chemicals, heat styling, and exposure to extreme weather.
Dead hair is not very pleasing to look at and is often dull and limp. It is prone to further damage and breakage.
It isn’t an easy task to fix dead hair. In fact, it can take months for your hair to come back to its healthy self.
But with some time and effort, it is possible to replenish your hair and prevent future damage.
A lot of times you don’t realise that you are damaging your hair until it’s too late. Things that are part of your daily routine can contribute to dead hair.
Here are some common ways that you may be harming your hair and how to deal with dead hair:
Avoid the use of heat styling tools
Heat styling tools are at the top of my list for causes of dead hair. A lot of us have become so dependent on them that they are now a part of our daily routines.
The most common heat styling tools used are blow dryers. In our fast paced lives, we don’t have the time to allow our hair to air dry before we go running out the door.
We turn to blow dryers for a quick and easy solution. I’m guilty of doing this as well. While blow dryers give us good instant results, they cause an immense amount of damage in the long run.
Heat styling tools strip hair of its natural moisture and leave them dry from the inside. Over time, this makes hair strands prone to breakage. Hair is often left looking dry and lifeless.
It is always advised to avoid heat styling tools as much as possible. If you must use them, make sure to use a good quality heat protectant beforehand.
Through personal experience, I have found that using these styling tools on the lowest setting will help achieve desired results without heat damage.
Reduce your hair’s exposure to harsh weather
This is probably the most ignored part of taking care of your tresses. Most people cannot begin to understand the extent of damage that the sun can cause, especially UVA and UVB rays.
When hair is continuously exposed to harsh sun, the cuticle which is the outer layer of hair is damaged. Hair loses moisture and becomes dehydrated. This eventually leads to split ends, brittleness and breakage.
You can find many hair products that come with sunscreen to protect hair. If you can’t find these products, just using a scarf or hat to cover your hair when you have to step out into the sun will protect your hair.
Slow down on the chemical treatments
We all know that chemicals can wreak havoc on your hair. But we’re still tempted to get that new hair colour or hairstyle that everyone on Instagram is trying out.
Using hair dyes and bleach on your hair is never recommended. They are made with harsh chemicals that dry out hair and make it prone to damage and breakage.
Treatments like permanent straightening and keratin treatments seem like great ideas when you’re getting them done. But in the long run, they can cause irreversible damage.
Most treatments work on hair by breaking the bonds in hair to achieve smoothness or straightness. Over time, with continued use, any chemical used on hair makes the hair weak and prone to breakage.
Try to avoid chemicals when it comes to your hair. Instead, opt for treatments that use natural ingredients.
In the case that you have used chemical treatments, take extra care to reduce the damage that these chemicals cause. Also, reduce the frequency of these treatments.
Stop overusing protein treatments
We so often hear that too much of a good thing can be bad. That’s a perfect saying when it comes to protein treatment for hair.
Protein is a must for hair as it strengthens and fortifies hair. But why use it when you already have healthy hair?
Think of a max capacity scale. It’s bound to break if you toss in more than what it was built to hold.
Overusing protein treatment can cause more bad than good when you use it on healthy hair. So avoid them unless your hair is damaged.
Start getting regular trims
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, avoiding regular hair trims will not help with length.
In fact, by postponing your regular trims, you’re allowing the split ends to aid with breakage.
Ideally, it is advised that we trim our hair once every 6 to 12 weeks. This depends on the length of hair and the extent of the damage. Getting rid of dead and split ends makes hair look healthy and well maintained.
Stop Ignoring your scalp
If you’re wondering why your hair still looks dead after you’ve done everything possible to treat your locks, it’s possibly because you’ve overlooked your scalp.
Keeping your scalp healthy is an important part of maintaining healthy hair. Product buildup is almost unavoidable since we all use hair products sometime or the other. The buildup clogs the hair follicles and leads to damage and breakage.
This can be taken care of by shampooing regularly. You can also use a clarifying shampoo once every couple of weeks. It is also important to ensure that hair is moisturized. Using a good quality serum is a great way to keep hair hydrated.
While taking care of the scalp, be careful not to strip the scalp of its sebum. Using nourishing scalp treatments with no chemicals is necessary to maintain and balance the natural oils in the scalp.
Check the water used for washing hair
Like using good quality hair products are essential to ensure the health of hair, using good quality water is equally important.
No, I don’t mean just clean water. I mean ensuring that the water is at the right temperature and is free of chemicals like chlorine and hard substances.
Hot water may feel good against your skin but is a terrible thing for your hair and scalp. It damages the hair shaft and strips hair of its moisture. It also makes hair prone to hair fall.
It is recommended to wash hair using cold water. You can also use lukewarm water and then end your shower with cold water to protect the hair.
Another thing to keep in mind is to use soft water when washing your hair. Hard water is loaded with minerals that are harmful to hair. It makes hair rough, dry, and prone to breakage and damage.
Hydration is important
Hydrating your hair should be an important step in your hair care routine. Choose products that are hydrating in nature.
A common mistake I see is that when people have an oily hair type, they skip moisturization. Instead of skipping it, add lightweight hydrating agents (like glycerine or aloe vera) to your routine.
Oiling your hair is an age old tradition that has been passed down through generations. This is the simplest (and cost-effective) way to moisturize your hair.
Having A Proper Diet
Have you noticed that your hair begins to look dull when you aren’t eating well or are ill? That’s because your food plays a vital role in your hair’s health.
Maintaining a well balanced diet is beneficial in maintaining hair’s health. You could try all home remedies and treatments to repair hair, but if you aren’t following a good diet, your hair will not improve. A diet that is rich in protein, zinc, and omega 3 fatty acids is ideal.
Some good sources of omega 3 fatty acids are salmon, tuna, canola oil, soya beans, walnuts, and vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.
Lean meat like chicken, eggs, fish, and soy products are rich in proteins. Just one serving every day of any of these can keep hair healthy.
Vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid also play an essential role in maintaining hair health. Incorporating bananas, potatoes, dairy products, and spinach into your everyday diet will fulfil these demands.
Final thoughts
You’ll be happy to hear that dead hair is not impossible to revive. It takes some time and effort. But with the right measures, it can be saved and further damage can be prevented.
Taking care of your hair goes much further than just using the right products. Your lifestyle and diet are just as important.
If you’re tired of dealing with dead hair, don’t give up just yet. Try out some of our tips and trick today!
Also Read:
How To Tell If Your Hair Is Dry Or Damaged With 3 Easy Tests
To Summarize