Aibu to ask what helped repair your damaged hair?I'm devastated

[Tworoundsofwaterplease]

My hairdresser just told me I have to have it cut into a pixie style as it is too damaged to do anything with.

I know I've abused it with dye and styling over the years. But I really couldnt have a pixie cut, I've got an ugly birthmark on my scalp, and a large face and large features.

In the past I've managed to get it a bit better with pregnancy pills, hemp oil and eating loads of almonds. I'll start that again. Anything else anyone has had success with?

[amusedbush]

I once burnt my hair with bleach and it was snapping off at an alarming rate. I used a Lee Stafford treatment (it was called "for hair that won't grow past a certain length" but I think the name has changed now. It's in a round pink tub). It was a protein treatment and it made a huge different to my hair in just a couple of uses.

Now I use Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (I got a massive pump bottle from QVC) and I wash with Redken All Soft Mega shampoo and conditioner. I wash my hair twice a week (once if I've got no Zoom meetings ) and I still use heat to style but it's in great condition.

[Lardlizard]

Try in Salon standalone treatment Before you resort to cutting it all

[Ginfordinner]

My hair was horrible by the time lockdown ended. Home dying did it no favours. I usually have my hair short anyway, and when I eventually went back to the hairdresser she said my hair was so damaged that the only way to get rid of the damage was to cut it very short again.

And she was right. My short hair is shiny and healthy looking again.

[Seriouslyconfused3]

For a cheaper option hot oils saved my hair- that and Aussie 3 min miracle

[Mamadothe]

Like other have said, but a decent condition, conditioner treatmeant, stop blow drying/straightening/tying up etc/buy a soft brush

[TallFriendlyGinger]

Don't worry about cutting all your hair off, just do it gradually as other posters have said. Stay away from the bleach, don't use heated tools unless you've got a good protection spray, condition every shower and use a hair mask once a week to soak in the moisture. Take hair and nails vitamins to encourage good growth, and perhaps fish oil or omega 3 as well. For breakage, try a silk pillowcase or hair wrap overnight. I would also second Olaplex as a good treatment. I like using the Garnier tubs of hair mask/conditioner as well, they smell great, are usually on offer, and leave my hair really soft!

[MorganKitten]

After years of crazy colours and styling (I miss the blue black hair) I had blonde highlights to help grow my natural blonde out and cut it short 5 years ago. I’ve used coconut oil (bog standard cooking oil) my normal shampoo but the argon oil Poundland treatments.I’m back to waist length natural colour and it’s the best it’s been.

[Ginfordinner]

No amount of conditioners and hot oils made any difference to my hair. It was too damaged.

[Catlover77]

Turmeric with black pepper tablets, from Holland and Barrett, worked wonders on my hair. You need to take two per day, for months, but you will see a difference

[MummytoCSJH]

Olaplex for me too!

[Onadifferentuniverse]

Coconut oil, I massage it into my hands and then my scalp and take it all the way down from the roots to the ends

And then put it in a scrunchy and leave it overnight and wash out in the morning- 2 shampoos, and a good conditioner.

[SimoneAndGarfunkel]

I'm sort of surprised nobody has suggesting chopping it all off and getting a wig whilst it grows out. Synthetic wigs are really improving these days and you can get some very natural looking ones. They can be a bit hot in the summer though, but your hair would have grown a few inches by then.

[Onadifferentuniverse]

And do it twice a weem

[StormyInTheNorth]

The hairdresser sounds a bit bullying. They are being paid to do as you wish afterall. They should understand that an enforced pixie cut is so traumatising. I speak from bitter experience.

With mine it took about 12 months to grow back into my usual bob. I used castor oil and coconut oil because it was before opalex.

If you really don't want a cut, try some of the products listed by pps don't tie it up, don't wash it for as long as you can. No bleach, (personally I'd do roots.) no hairdryer. Just leave it alone. Although, sadly a cut may be the only solution.

Think, we are doing another lockdown. No one will see you. I am sure it won't look awful either.

[Anotherlovelybitofsquirrel]

My advice would be have as much cut off as you can stand, have it dyed darker , your natural color. I agree , the same as many wise others say , amazing Olaplex. 3 4 5 & 6 if you can afford them. Look Fantastic are doing 20% off atm.

[Wowwe]

Olaplex no3,4&5
Changed my hair completely for the best it’s ever looked.
Before it was so broken and frizzy and bacially just dead.
Now everyone comments on how lovely my hair is 🥰

[Chuggington2]

This happened to me years ago it’s so awful you don’t realise how important your hair is to you. Sorry I know it makes you feel rubbish.

You’re going to have to have a really good cut I’m afraid. A pixie cut sounds extreme though, what about a choppy just below chin bob. Then make sure you have an inch off every 6 wks, this will quickly get rid of any remaining damaged hair without having to go shorter than the initial bob.

Things you can do in meantime to positively effect/repair and just mask it to make it look better:

Pregnancy vits defs

Olaplex

Very mild sulphate free shampoos

Philip Kingsley treatment products

No hair dye but if you must no higher than 5% 9 at the very most. Or if you can afford it find a salon which uses L’Oréal Inoa this is oil rather than chemical based. It made a huge difference to mine. I had a different stylist once and she forgot to use this and the difference even before drying was noticeable and not in a good way.

No straighteners only blow dry when you have to and use a heat protector

Always use a leave in cream treatment or similar after washing even if you’re just letting it wet dry. John Masters do an amazing hair milk

No tying back - especially in bed, and if you do scrunchies only

[Rotundandhappy]

Olaplex. Honestly.

[Georgeoftheinternet]

City girl methodn

[Luckyonetwo]

Hair burst vitamins are great, you won’t notice much for the first 8 weeks but once they start working properly they really do make a difference.

[Ramblingwords]

Biotin and collagen supplements.

Cut as short as you can tolerate, then use hairgrowth shampoos like Waterman’s and Thicktails.

Olaplex etc to treat what you have left.

Start to work with what you’ve got -own colour and texture- for a while before getting stuck into more chemical treatments.

[Luckyonetwo]

Oh and also olaplex.

[Sakura7]

Tigi Bedhead Elasticate shampoo and conditioner is brilliant for very damaged hair.

Also avoid heat styling. No straighteners, and only use the hair dryer very rarely (and with heat protection spray).

I don't see any reason why you can't just tie it up over the next few months and then get it cut in a less extreme way.

[cologne4711]

Have a look at the supplements on Victoria Health, they are expensive but should make a difference within 3 months. Use a heavy duty conditioner like this: www.victoriahealth.com/product/Miracle-Clay-Mask-for-Blondes/13640/category/Conditioners/321

And do not use straighteners or hair dryers. Just wash your hair, condition it well and let it dry.

[2020iscancelled]

Dark caster oil is meant to be very good for hair growth apparently - I’ve used it on my brows to some success.
It’s very sticky so there must be a proper technique to it - you tube is your friend, get on and look up hair growth, there’s literally thousands of tutorials.

Cutting it in winter might not be a bad idea, you’ve got the option of hoods and hats and scarfs. Go as short as you can feel you can go and just keep getting it trimmed regularly.

I feel for you, I’ve had stages of hair loss and it’s very upsetting. Lots of good tips on here though and I do recommend checking out youtube as many many other women have damaged through styling too.