Can ruined hair be rescued?

[Lhastingsmua]

I’m only 22 but my hair is beyond ruined, I’m so embarrassed of it. Getting to that point where it looks better tied back than loose

It’s falling out and is damaged so what little I have left breaks off. It’s thin and dry, even with regular salon visits, premium hair care and olaplex. It’s naturally brunette but highlighted blonde so colour damaged. It’s shoulder length, I get regular trims, but it’s only a matter of weeks before the ends look ratty and uneven instead of blunt/fresh due to breakage.

I also have low ferritin.

Has anyone managed to actually improve the condition of your hair over time?

[AfterSchoolWorry]

Olaplex or henna. Henna is a commitment though and doesn't have a variety of colours. Cassia is a neutral coloured henna type product that will coat and gloss the hair.

[carrots555]

I over processed my hair once. 3 bleaches and one hair dye in a day.
I know....

Lost so much of my top layer of hair.

The remnants went kind of stringy and it felt awful. Drying took an age.
Really unpleasant.

There's not much you can do.

Use good quality hair products going foward inc deep moisturising masks and protein treatments such as Apoghee / Philip Kinglsey.

But mostly it's just time and waiting.

[Sagradafamiliar]

You might've been overdoing the protein treatments, which leave the hair exactly as you describe when not used few and far between.
I'd recommend elasticizer also.

[Lhastingsmua]

Thanks all, desperately trying not cave in and get extensions in case I damage it more!

@Sagradafamiliar Elasticizer is a protein treatment isn’t it?

[MikeUniformMike]

Get the low ferritin sorted out.
I'd consider getting it cut shorter and skipping the highlights.

[Sagradafamiliar]

Oh sorry mua I didn't know! all I know is it's the castor oil that's the main ingredient. I have noticed that I get much better results when I use it as one off treatments then all the time.

[Sagradafamiliar]

Than*

[Ineedtochillthehellout]

I ruined my hair after I went from black back too blonde. It was snapping off, falling out and felt awful. I found myself a really good & lovely hairdresser who recommended that I use this tresemme breakage defence deep conditioner. She told me to use it every day for 7 days, then 5 times a week, then 4, then 3 and now down to once a week. When I’d used it for a month and my hair was a million times better she then came round to do my roots, treat my hair with oplex and give it a cut. It worked my hair is back to normal. I’ve been wearing it down for the first time in over a year and people have commented on how lovely it looks. If I was braver I’d post a pic because I can’t believe that something so cheap fixed my hair. Must also add that some days I left it on for a couple of hours not just the 3 mins.

[Lhastingsmua]

@Ineedtochillthehellout how interesting! I normally use Kerastase (the colour mask in the pink tub is amazing!) but I might actually try your tresemme routine! I’m not sure how my hair will react to being washed every day/super frequently though, worried that may dry it out?

I have been taking high strength iron tablets for a few months now, so hoping to see the hair benefits of normal ferritin soon!

My hair is looks so fine and gappy now, no real density to it, my last round of highlights definitely pushed it past it’s limit

[FadingStar]

Just ordered the Tresemme on your recommendation Chill. Thanks so much...it's very cheap at Superdrug atm.

[Ineedtochillthehellout]

I was worried tbh but I was seriously considering shaving it off and starting again( I’m a drama queen like that ) so thought I’d try it. My hair is also fine and it was to my waist and I thought it would dry it out but it really didn’t. It also didn’t leave a greasy build up.
Mine was so bad that I was scared to brush it as it would end up all over the floor. I actually thought the hairdresser was lying to me that it could be saved. I’m really glad I listened to her as for the first time in years my hair looks lovely.

I’m also stricter with the straightening now too. I only use them once after I’ve washed it as I became guilty of over using them which didn’t help my hair situation at all.

[Imicola]

Do you blow dry or straighten your hair? I ruined mine with straighteners. Had to go cold turkey and grow it all out, now I don't dye, straighten or blow dry my hair, and I keep it short as it is naturally fine and weak. You need to think long term!

[Verily1]

Cut it short and stop dying it.

Sort your diet.

Minimise washing/ brushing.

[fancytiles]

Mine was similar but Olaplex and washing less frequently sorted it out!

[Everafter1]

Yes it can just takes some time and perseverance.

Stick with your regular trims. If you can have a break from the bleach, do so.

Don't wash it every day, try to use luke warm water when washing.
Reduce using heat when styling, pat your hair with a towel rather than rubbing.

The Manta brush is amazing at preventing breakage.

Products! Oribe Gold Lust Repair seems to be the gold standard in bringing hair back to life. It is expensive. The shampoo comes in various sizes (smallest £18) & you could go for the conditioner or the oil to try if you don't want to commit to the full range.
Elasticizer is a great treatment! Doesn't weigh hair down.

I always use a leave in spray conditioner, I like Paul Mitchell Super Strong Treatment.

[Zeldasmagicwand]

Tresemme is awful stuff. No better than herbal essences.
Are you using straighteners on too high a heat setting?
Stick with using decent products and don't over wash it or use too much heat.

You might find this interesting if you do use straighteners.