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?

[cologne4711]

And have a couple of inches cut off the length, it should get rid of the most damaged parts without having to go as far as a pixie cut.

[Mellonsprite]

Get a second, and third opinion. You don’t have to do what she says so don't just get a pixie cut.
Personally I would take it back to a chin length Bob to get rid of some of the wispiness, and ask about a darker gentle dye to cover the blonde. Then use the vitamins and conditioning treatments.

[Viviennemary]

I think I'd go and see a different hairdresser. If your hair has got into such a bad state why didn't your hairdresser warn you before. I'd go to a different hairdresser and certainly get some cut off. But not a pixie cut from your current one.

[Nonamesavail]

They said this to me. I went shorter but not a pixie and will gradually do it that way x

[PurpleDaisies]

It sounds like you’ve done the right thing in having a good chop. Once you’re used to having it a bit shorter, it’s easier to have another inch cut off next time. I’ve started using olaplex and it has really improved my hair, but getting the damaged hair cut off and not using so much heat etc on it has made the biggest difference.

[BradleyCooperwillbemine]

I used Redken Extreme when my hair was breaking off. It really made a huge difference, particularly the Anti Snap Treatment.

[sunflowerstory]

Kerastase Resistance hair masks. Use in place of conditioner, leave on for up to an hour.

Absolutely transformed the broken, frizzy, poofs-up-in-damp-weather mess on my head into healthy hair that holds a style for days. Hand on heart!

If you need to heat style, Schwarzkopf BC Bonacure will be your friend.

[catnoir1]

Go on amazon and order fanola moisture hair mask. It's a huge tub and will last you around 6 months it using it frequently. Put on your hair and leave it on for as long as you want.

It's about £7

[RadicalFern]

OP so sorry to hear about your hair sadness! It's a good idea to give the hair a rest from bleaching for a while, but if you don't want to just let your natural colour grow all the way out, you can use a semi-permanent dye to darken your hair and let the grow out look more natural. Semi-permanent hair doesn't have a developer (that lifts the hair follicle) so it doesn't do any damage to your hair (in fact, the ones I've used have been really moisturising). You could go for a change like a red-brown and your hair will suck it all up because it'll be porous from the past bleaching. It doesn't need to be as dark as your roots, because hair is always darker at the scalp anyway so it just looks natural.

[Notsoaccidentproneanymore]

Try frizz ease from Lush. Also Korres Almond and linseed hair products.

[willowywillow]

On the plus side, it does look quite funky. Sort of punk. Just need to harness your inner rebel!!!

[tara66]

Some people just have delicate hair which is easily damaged but it can take years to realise it! You can spend a fortune on it and in the end the solution is a pair of scissors.

[DontCryForMeNextdoorNeighbour]

Mine was dreadful - damaged through colouring, straightening etc. I thought there was no hope. But then I got a 2-minute wet conditioner and about three leave-in conditioners (Brazil nut is great), and after applying these I apply an oil that contains argan oil to seal them in. Trim off all split ends. Try to minimise blow-drying and straightening. Also from past experience I know that my diet has to include good oils eg sunflower/pumpkin seeds, nuts, avocado etc. My hair has definitely improved.

[AuldSpookySewers]

I’m a hairdresser and looking at your pics, your hair looks very damaged and like it’s breaking off in places?

Once you get to that point, no amount of vitamins, conditioners or Olaplex treatments will improve it, because you’ve damaged the outer cuticle layer and it can’t repair itself.

What strength developer did you use with the bleach? I’m guessing this has probably been your undoing, along with overlapping products.

I can see why your hairdresser is recommending a pixie cut because if you leave the hair longer, the temptation will be to bleach the roots to match the mid lengths and ends and if you do it yourself, you will probably overlap the bleach onto already lightened hair, causing even more breakage.

You can’t really blame the hairdresser for your diy errors.

[strugglingwithlife]

Two years ago my hair was super long, about 18 months ago I had to have it cut short into a bob cos it was so damaged from years of bleaching and constant straightening, it was breaking off. I was gutted. I hate short hair on me. It's only grown to my shoulders in almost a year and a half and I don't think it will grow much longer sadly. I have salon Olaplex treatments regularly now and it's saved my hair, it's in really good condition now, I swear by Olaplex and will keep getting treatments in the salon for good. I also take biotin supplements

[Thebearsbunny]

Olaplex, biotin supplement (from H&B) and switching from permanent to semi permanent dye have really helped my damaged hair.

[HasaDigaEebowai]

If Olaplex is pricey for you and you can't afford the whole system then just buy olaplex 2. Olpalex 2 is the stronger version of olaplex 3. It will help your hair more.

[diddl]

"You can’t really blame the hairdresser for your diy errors."

I don't think that Op is doing that-but I do wonder, Op if your hair was already damaged when extensions were put in?

[DreamerB28]

I’m so sorry this has happened to you. I am a hair colourist and have often seen home colouring (and other professional colours) that have got to this point. My no means should you ever feel pressured by a hair stylist to have a hair cut you are not comfortable with. Ditch her!

Think of it this way, hair grows, on average, half an inch a month. When it’s damages it will break off at the ends. Just get it trimmed to get the broken ends off. Maybe also consider a ‘root stretch look’ to blend the blonde regrowth so you will not feel the need bleach your hair and then I highly recommend using the Olaplex no.3 and shampoo and conditioner. This helps to rebuild broken bonds in the hair.

Your hair WILL grow, just keep getting those ends trimmed and lay off the chemical treatments :)

[BlueJava]

Aussie 3 minute miracle - it's amazing.

[aintnothinbutagstring]

I think it depends what you was asking the hairdresser to do, because if you was asking for more colour treatment, they're not going to do it on really damaged hair. My own hairdresser said this to me about people who use the Schwarzkopf very bright colours and then expect them to do repair jobs, they basically can't as the hair is so fragile, more colour will damage it so they only cut it and the client has to wait for the colour to grow out. So was she suggesting a pixie cut to enable a colour treatment?

[HappyGG]

I've been buying pure coconut oil and melting it for 20 seconds in the microwave. I put it on dry hair and leave it on wrapped up in tin foil and a towel to try and keep some heat in. I leave it on for around an hour or so and then use shampoo to wash it off (needs a double wash). It works so well. My hair loss has gone down to almost zero after losing copious amounts and it feels strong and healthy.

[NorthGirl2]

You can't repair hair that's already damaged. It's dead.

I think the best thing is to get it cut as short as you're happy with, and start again. However I think some people have naturally damaged hair - mine gets damaged very easily.

[Horehound]

O think once your hair is past a point you do need to cut it, or leave orbit do nothing to the virgin hair coming in.

Treatments won't help your hair now. I think if there is another lockdown you could take advantage of the fact no one will see you and use a shaver on your hair (with long guard)and take a decent whack off...

[throwaway100000]

Weird hairdresser.

Fair enough if your hair was already at pixie length when you came in, but it wasn’t. Your hair was shoulder length or longer and she tried to strong-arm you into a pixie cut. What awful customer service! Hairdressers should give you a proper consultation and take your wishes into account rather than just pressurising you into the nuclear option of cutting it all off.

Lots of people have damaged hair. Hairdressers would love to cut it all off I’m sure, but if the client just wants a trim or a few inches off, they just have to work with it.