Damaged Hair Repair
Is your hair looking the worse for wear after the cold dry air of Winter? Has it lost its shine, does it feel rough and dry, do you have split ends and hair breakage, or is your hair looking porous? It’s not only our skin that becomes dehydrated, and starts to show wear and tear after a season of cold winds, dry air, blow drying, and indoor heating, our hair needs some TLC to bring it back to Spring-worthy shine as well. To understand how damage occurs, let’s look at hair structure. Each strand of hair has two to three layers. The inner layer (mostly present in thicker hairs), is called the medulla, which is surrounded by the thick middle layer, the cortex. The cortex has most of your hair strands bulk, and contains the main hair pigment. It is made up of long keratin filaments. The health of your cortex depends on the structure and integrity of the outer layer protecting it. The outer layer is called the cuticle, and is made up of downward facing, overlapping cells (a bit like roof tiles). The cuticle is the layer that protects your hair, and when it is healthy, the cells sit smooth and flat, however when they are damaged, they lift, and your hair becomes dry, dull, and brittle (and if you colour your hair, it may not last as long). And of course, the cuticle cells do become more fragile as we age. Combine this with the natural dip in keratin levels after the age of 40, and it’s no wonder our hair starts to need extra TLC to repair it and keep it in tip top condition, looking shiny and healthy.
If your hair is super damaged, and full of split ends, the only cure is to have them cut off, so you don’t incur further damage. However if your hair is dry, dehydrated, and showing typical signs of Winter damage, it can be brought back to life, and damage repaired with some repairing hair products. Some of our favourite are listed below. What is your tip for repairing damaged hair? Let us know in the comments below.
Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask
For damaged hair in need of instant repair, the rich cream treatment of the Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask is formulated with proteins to help repair damaged hair and provide an intense moisture boost. The 5-7-minute revitalising treatment helps reconstruct your hair and infuses protein back into strands that have been damaged by chemical treatments or heat styling. The high-performance, deeply restorative formula is rich in argan oil, shea butter and repairing proteins that help restore hair’s elasticity and rebuild its strength from the inside out. You only need to use it once a week (and then less often as your hair health improves), so it lasts a long time. 250ml RRP $55.95.
Matrix Biolage FiberStrong Shampoo & Conditioner
To repair damaged hair, bring back shine, and make it more manageable, the Biolage FiberStrong Shampoo and Conditioner are formulated with the power of Intra-CylaneTM plus bamboo and ceramide for repairing damaged, fragile hair. The paraben free shampoo helps to fortify your hair, leaving it stronger, more elastic, and shiny. The paraben free conditioner reinforces your hair’s moisture barrier, helping to fortify your hair and leaving it more resistant to damage. You can see the difference in your hair after just one use! Shampoo & Conditioner 400ml each, RRP $32.50.
John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Deep Conditioner/Masque Intensif
Enriched with Milk Protein and Avocado Oil, the John Frieda Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Deep Conditioner gives your hair silky-smooth softness and shine. The Deep Conditioner/Intensive Masque helps repair the surface damage to your hair caused by the stresses of over-styling and daily wear and tear. With regular use, dehydrated and damaged hair is quenched, nourished, and conditioned. The hair strengthening formula helps reduce breakage over the long term. Although this sits in the Frizz Ease range, it is suitable for all hair types, including colour-treated and chemically treated hair, which makes it perfect for us as we mature and colour our hair. You only need to use this once a week, so it really lasts. 150ml RRP $16.99.
A’kin Lavender & Anthyllis Leave-In Conditioner
We love this dual purpose Leave-In Conditioner that can be used on wet hair (in the shower) or dry hair (in between washes), to keep your hair protected for longer. The highly concentrated treatment, enriched with Antioxidants, Amino Acids, Provitamin B5 and Certified Organic Avocado Oil help strengthen your hair, and add moisture whilst also helping to protect hair from heat styling and environmental damage. The formula is full of botanically derived ingredients, and leaves your hair healthier, shinier and stronger. 150ml RRP $19.95.
Simplicite Coastal Banksia & Orange Everyday Shampoo and She Oak and Lime Conditioner
The all natural, and organic, Simplicite Coastal Banksia & Orange Everyday Shampoo is a super gentle every day shampoo that helps repair damaged hair, and strengthen it for longer term hair health. The formula contains natural plant botanicals such as the Australian bush flower Coastal Banksia, which assists damaged hair and improves body, Hydrangea, which contains resins that build body and help the strength of your hair, Orange to improve the shine of your hair, and Avocado nutrients to support healthy hair and scalp, for future hair resilience. Partnered with the She Oak and Lime Conditioner, with Phyto nutrients of She Oak and Lime to help help restore health to, and strengthen, damaged hair, your hair is left soft, smooth, and healthy looking. Shampoo & Conditioner 250ml each, RRP $31.50 each.
Pantene Ultimate 10 Repair & Protect Shampoo & Conditioner
As you might have guessed from the name, the Pantene Pro-V Ultimate 10 Repair & Protect Shampoo & Conditioner deliver 10 hair repairing and protection benefits in each product. Both the Shampoo and Conditioner help prevent split ends, strengthen your hair against breakage, smooth your hair, moisturise, soften, enhance shine, improve manageability, detangle, and restore natural volume to your hair. The Shampoo also provides balanced cleansing, whilst the Conditioner helps control frizz. The Pro-Vitamin formula contains the active ingredient histidine to help repair damage for stronger, shinier hair over time. Shampoo & Conditioner 350ml each, RRP $6.99 each.
Klorane Desert Date Shampoo & Conditioner
The Klorane Shampoo and Conditioner range with Desert Date is specially formulated for dry, damaged hair. The Desert Date seed kernel extract is traditionally recognised for its high concentration of fatty acids and protein, and helps helps aid in the repair of your hair shaft, reinforcing your natural hair keratin, for stronger hair over time. The creamy Shampoo formula gently cleanses while preserving the natural balance of the scalp and hair, leaving it smooth and strengthened. The Conditioner works at the heart of your hair fibre to supply essential nutrition and strength, helping to prevent breakage and protecting your hair shaft. It softens, strengthens and detangles your hair, all without weighing it down. Hair regains elasticity and flexibility. The formulas of both are paraben and silicone free. Shampoo & Conditioner 200ml each, RRP $13.95 each. Shampoo also available in 400ml.
These are our favourite Hair Repair products – what are yours? Let us know in the comments section below – we’d love to hear from you.
