How to fix damaged hair

[BendandBreak]

Hi,
My eldest had her long, quite thick hair coloured along the ends (about 5cm) a couple of years ago. She had it done at the hairdresser, and involved bleaching blonde the hair and then using the colour on top.
I totally trust my hairdresser, Ive been going there for years, Im not doubting their method of colouring.
But we then didn't get the hair trimmed when the colour was finished ( about 6 weeks later, the end of the school hols) because she liked the blonde colour and the school allowed it.
HOWEVER since then her hair has looked awful, damaged, dry etc all the way up the hair. Getting the blonde cut off has not markedly helped.
Does anyone have any miracle suggestions?
Her hair will also get greasy at the roots after a couple of days- I really wish I could help her.
Sorry for the long post....

[beeefcake]

She should have had it trimmed before getting it dyed because you are just putting chemicals on already damaged hair.

In the Afro Caribbean hair section in boots they sell something called hair mayonnaise (it's reasonably priced) and it is hands down THE best product for damaged hair.

Also get her some oil based serum to run through it after it's washed.

However in the long run the only way to keep hair in good condition is with regular trims.

[beeefcake]

Ahhh sorry, I've re read and realised she has had it trimmed.

If it's getting greasy at the roots it might be time to change up her shampoo and conditioner, my hair does this if I use the same kind for too long.

For damaged hair I would recommend the Lee Stafford chocolate range, smells amazing and leaves your hair so soft.

[hallodarknessmyoldfriend]

I damaged my hair by bleaching it too much a couple of years ago.

What helped:

regular trims
no heat
weekly deep moisturising treatments
patience

[Believeitornot]

It might be a build up of hair product - silicates are the worst for this. So she could use a clarifying shampoo and switch to surface free stuff.

[Frequency]

This doesn't make sense. Bleach wouldn't do this.

How old was she when she bleached it? And how often is she washing her hair? Dry ends and greasy roots would suggest over washing and/or harsh shampoos to me.

Silicones wouldn't do this either. Silicones are great things for dry, damaged hair. They essentially coat the hair, protecting it from further damage and smoothing the cuticle. As long as you shampoo your hair, they wash out.

[Believeitornot]

Not in my dad or my case @Frequency

Silicates build up in my hair despite shampooing. Same with dd so I had to stop - she is only 6 so it’s not as if she’s got greasy hair. Her hair was like straw!

[AfterSchoolWorry]

Olaplex surely.

[Aridane]

Depends on the type of silicone - some are water soluble, was there aren’t

[Frequency]

You're confusing silicones and sulphates I think. Sulphates can dry some hair types out.

[Believeitornot]

Ah ok! I avoid silicone and sulphates - we’ve both got curly hair and they’re a bit of a disaster zone for us. Either way, can’t use shampoos or conditioners with them.

[ggirl]

Olaplex , you can buy the home one on amazon , it's the 3rd step . In salons you can have the treatment step 1 and 2 I think.

Loads of you tube videos on it.

[Frequency]

Be careful buying Olaplex online. LookFantastic are the only official online suppliers of Olaplex no 3. There are a lot of fakes out there.

[BendandBreak]

Thanks for all this advice ladies!

[TantricTwist]

Philip Kingsleys Elasticiser work well for this

[MoltonSilver]

Philip Kingsley is a miracle worker.

[TheMotherChip]

My dd’s hair has noticeably changed in texture over the last year or so, much more coarse and frizzy. I think it is partly to do with puberty changes but more so to do with the home highlight kits she’s been using. We’ve recently started coating her hair in coconut oil (just the lengths as she gets a greasy scalp too) for about 30mins before washing and it’s helped loads with the frizzines and it feels much silkier too. It only cost about £3 from Tesco so probably worth a try!

[Aridane]

Elasticisef is one of those much praised products that doesn’t do much for me

< speaks bitterly having bought 1 litre of the stuff >

[ElleL]

Others have said it but it’s true.. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is amazing. Costs a small fortune but worth it (sorry Aridane! Have you persevered with it? And or tried leaving it on for longer? I’ve left it on a few hours before. Have heard of some sleeping with it in (on a towel of course!) It can take several times if your hair’s in really bad shape. Also to make it work better - cling wrap your hair, then warm it up with a low speed/heat hair dryer, the heat helps open up the hair cuticles for the product to penetrate better)
I really rate the Philip Kingsley shampoos and conditioners too - even my hair dresser said wow as she rinsed when she used my bottle on me! Grabbed at it again looking to see what is this amazing stuff! If even a hairdresser can’t believe how it feels after washing even while still wet - gotta be good!!

Regarding washing - only apply shampoo to the roots unless it’s really dirty, as the water rinses the bubbles down the length it will be cleaned but much more gently than rubbing neat shampoo into it.
And conversely- only apply conditioner to the midlengths and ends if she’s getting greasy roots.
Leave the conditioner on as long as possible before rinsing too. Could even do a treatment with it and sit with it on for a few hrs before rinsing.

A cold water rinse to finsh will help close the cuticles and make it smoother and shine more.

Try to limit heat tool usage. If you must use, finish with the cool shot to help reclose the hair cuticles again.

[Aridane]

Yep,- slept with it on all night with a plastic shower cap!!

[ElleL]

Oh dear! So sorry it doesn’t work for you! What are you trying to fix?

[Aridane]

I have very dry hair from bleach highlights. However, the Macadamia Oil Hair Masque and daily application of their/oil seems to be removing the ‘crunchy’ / candy floss feel and texture of my hair. I am also alternating washing my hair with just using conditioner. I find the conditioners designed for ethnic hair the best for their proce

[MorningsEleven]

I swear by avoiding silicones and using pure coconut oil as a hair mask. First wash the hair with a silicone free shampoo.Warm the coconut oil in your hands so it melts then apply to the ends and midsection, wrap in a towel and leave for at least an hour. Then wash it out and condition - again using silicone free products.

[TheMotherChip]

I’ve tried Elasticiser and it seemed like a great product at first but after a few uses it didn’t seem to do anything to my hair any more. Coconut oil (melted in the microwave for a few seconds) works much better imo, also the deep conditioner in a tub from the frizz ease range.

[Notacluewhatthisis]

I didn't get on with Phillip Kinsley either. Totally gutted. My go to for damaged ends in coconut oil. I use castor oil on the roots and coconut oil on the ends. I also swaer by lush fluff ease. It's a treatment to go on dry hair but I use it as a normal condition and my hair always feels amazing. My hair was really damaged and these things have brought it back to life. I also use lush shampoos bars, but change those up.

[calmandbright]

Clarify it first, using bicarbonate soda mixed with apple cider vinegar and shampoo. Then a deep conditioning mask, leaving for as long as you can (an hour or so). It sounds like build up as opposed to damage tbh. If it’s still dry looking, try running a little Aegean oil through and leaving to dry naturally.