Maintaining healthier locks is not easy, especially when you’re leading a hectic lifestyle. So, it’s little wonder that dry, damaged, and thinning hair have become some of the most common woes among both men and women.
Unfortunately, many people prioritize skincare but rarely do enough to keep their hair healthy. And most hair products purchased are typically focused on styling instead of nourishing and protecting hair.
If all this sounds alarmingly familiar to you, then it’s time to drop that curling iron and take some steps to ensure hair health. And in this article, we’ll take you through some of the must-try products to help you tackle common hair grievances.
What causes hair damage?
In reality, there are a gazillion reasons behind hair damage. The most often quoted are heat styling and chemical treatments like hair coloring. They can remove your hair’s natural moisture, crack its outer layer (cuticle), and permanently damage the hair structure.
Chlorine, sun exposure, a poor diet, and prolonged exposure to arid environments also rank high among common causes of hair damage. But, of course, it could be the result of one or any combination of these reasons.
Now, the good news is, all these are preventable. All it requires is healthy choices and an effective hair care regime.
Can you repair damaged hair?
So, what happens when hair gets damaged? Can you really repair it? The fact is, hair, even when healthy, cannot regenerate. They contain dead cells. So, in other words, no, you can’t repair damaged hair.
But what you can do is prevent further damage, improve the appearance, and ensure healthier hair after the damaged ones grow out and are trimmed off. So, just because you have damaged hair, you shouldn’t give up altogether. The right products and proper care can help protect hair and help you achieve healthier locks.
Must-Try Hair Care Products for Damaged Hair
1. Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3 Repairing Treatment
This is the number one best-seller product for Olaplex, and there’s a very good reason behind its phenomenal success.
The N0.3 Hair Perfector uses a patented system to reduce damage, protect the hair structure, and provide a healthy appearance. Its main active ingredient is Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate. The formula is also PH balanced and free of parabens, phosphate, sulfate, and phthalates.
Olaplex recommends that you use it once or twice per week by applying it on damp hair from root to end. Leave it on for 30-45 minutes before using shampoo and conditioner.
| Average price: $28.00 | Hair type: All hair types |
| Product size: 3.4 fl. oz./100ml | Buy here. |
2. Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask by Arvazallia
If you’re struggling with dry and damaged hair, then this hydrating argan oil mask by Arvazallia is an excellent solution to manage it effectively. It can deep condition, detangle, and hydrate damaged hair, so it looks healthier, softer, and silkier.
This salon-grade product also locks in hydration and provides heat protection. It even contains essential nutrients to nourish your hair and promote natural growth.
The formula is sulfate and paraben free and easy to use as well. Just apply it on damp hair, leave it on for five minutes, and rinse off.
| Average price: $12.95 | Hair type: All hair types |
| Product size: 8.45 fl. oz./250ml | Buy here. |
3. Organic Castor Oil by Sky Organics
According to dermatologist Hadley King, castor oil is rich in nutrients like vitamin E, fatty acids, and minerals. It’s also a popular remedy to moisturize the hair shaft and reduce the risks of breakage.
And this product by Sky Organics is a USDA-certified organic castor oil that’s cold-pressed and 100% pure. Plus, it contains no other added ingredients, preservatives, alcohols, or fragrances. So, it’s perfectly safe, and you can even use it on your eyelashes, eyebrows, and skin.
Sky Organics recommends that you use it as a pre-shampoo hair mask. You can warm some castor oil in your hands, apply it to the dry scalp, and massage. Leave it on for one hour and rinse off with shampoo.
You can also use it as an overnight mask. But remember, it could stain your pillowcase and transfer to your face. And this could potentially result in clogged pores and a breakout. So, wrap your hair with a towel before you go to bed.
| Average price: $41.25 (Pack of 2) | Hair type: All hair types |
| Product size: 16 fl. oz./473ml per bottle | Buy here. |
4. HSI PROFESSIONAL Argan Oil Heat Protector
If you want to protect your hair, staying away from heat styling is crucial. But for those occasional moments when you need to use curling wands, a flat iron, or even a blow dryer, you can use this HSI Professional product to minimize heat damage.
It’s a light, heat protector mist spray that can shield your hair from temperatures up to 4500F. It contains antioxidant-rich argan oil and vitamins, with no sulfate, phosphate, paraben, or colors. It’s a professional salon-quality product that you can even use as a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair hydrated.
| Average price: $19.99 | Product size: 8 fl. oz./236ml |
| Hair type: All hair types | Buy here. |
5. Biotin Hair Shampoo for Thinning Hair by Honeydew
This sulfate and paraben free shampoo by Honeydew contains biotin and keratin. In fact, it consists of 95% naturally derived ingredients, including natural oils like argan, coconut, jojoba, evening primrose, olive, tea tree, and rosemary oils.
Honeydew recommends it for both men and women with thinning hair to cleanse, nourish, and achieve a thicker appearance. With botanical extracts, it can also hydrate hair from root to end.
Just massage it into wet hair to form a thick lather for 2-3 minutes before rinsing off.
| Average price: $9.85 | Hair type: All hair types, including color-treated hair |
| Product size: 8 fl. oz./236ml | Buy here. |
6. Nutrafol Women’s Balance Hair Growth Supplement
This Nutrafol hair supplement is an award-winning product developed for women aged over 45 years. It contains 21 natural ingredients, including saw palmetto, maca, and ashwagandha.
And it specifically aims to address the biological needs of women experiencing hair thinning because of peri- and postmenopause hormonal fluctuations, internal stress, environmental toxins, and metabolism and nutritional changes.
According to Nutrafol, clinical trials have seen 86% and 84% of women report faster hair growth and thicker and stronger hair, respectively, after just six months of its use.
The company recommends taking four capsules a day for best results.
| Average price: $88.00 | Hair type: All hair types |
| Product size: 120 capsules (1-month supply) | Buy here. |
7. Bellisso Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner Set for Hair Growth
This shampoo and conditioner set by Bellisso is designed for men and women experiencing hair thinning due to DHT triggers. They work by blocking DHT and thereby promoting hair growth.
Their formulas contain biotin, hydrolyzed keratin, spirulina extracts, and other nutrients. They are also sulfate and paraben free and recommended for all types of hair.
| Average price: $34.99 | Buy here. |
| Product size: 16 fl. oz./473ml each | Hair type: Dull, oily, normal, color-treated, or damaged hair |
Remember, hair care products are just part of the solution
The hair care products we’ve listed can act as essential boosters to protect and minimize damage to your hair. But if you suffer from any health conditions or experience excessive hair damage, it’s always best to first seek professional medical advice.
We must also note that using these products alone will not help ensure hair health. The fact remains, you can’t just expect a shampoo or a supplement to resolve all your hair troubles when you continue to make unhealthy lifestyle choices that are detrimental to healthy hair.
So, re-examining your daily routine and making adjustments are essential for holistic hair care. Here are a few tips to get you started.
- Avoid hot water on your hair to prevent outer-layer damage.
- Protect your hair from the sun. Damage from UV rays is not just limited to the skin.
- Cut down on excessive brushing. It’s a common cause of hair damage. So, be gentle and brush only when your hair is dry. There’s more room for damage when brushing wet hair.
- Avoid frequent shampooing. It could strip the natural oils (sebum) and make your hair dry.
- Stay away from chemical treatments and heat styling, including blow-drying and ironing.
- Opt for a healthy diet with nutrient-rich food like fatty fish, fruits, nuts, and leafy greens. Antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin A, C, and E, protein, iron, and zinc are essential for hair health.
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