My damaged hair is WORSE when I let it air dry 😩 Any tips?

[LazyMareofEastown]

Can't chop the damaged hair off as not long enough without leaving me with a pixie which is not an option. Will trim the ends gradually as it grows out.

I'm trying to do as much as I can for it (olaplex, protein masks, oils, wrapping it in silk scarf for bed etc) but when I leave it to dry naturally it looks like a frizzy bird's nest and feels horrendously dry. At least when I use a hairdryer and waving tong it looks somewhat smooth from a distance.

Any other tips?

Been here. You need to rebalance the levels in your hair. Is it stretchy when it's wet?

If it's stretchy it is missing protein. I used to make my own mix of egg and oil (sounds rank I know) and natural yoghurt. But after a good month or two it was much much better condition. You can also get spray in leave in protein spray. However you also don't want to over do the protein.

Are you able to not apply any heat for a good period of time? I understand this is a pain especially when hair is damaged as it looks so bad but it'll be better for it in the long run if you can give it a good break. How often do you wash your hair?

Washing your hair every day is too excessive and strips your natural oils. If you can allow a few days between washes this may also help with reducing the amount of heat used on hair.

When you wash out any conditioner give it a good rinse with cold water. This helps to shut the cuticle and leaves hair a little smoother.

How has the hair become damaged? Probably should've asked that first haha.

Thanks Dizzy.

It's bleach damage caused by my inability to keep one hair colour for longer than a few months so all my own doing!

It feels soft and can be combed easily when wet, wouldn't say it's noticeably stretchy though. When it dries it's just a knotty, dry mess (despite all the lotions and potions I'm applying while damp and using a wide tooth comb).

I only wash 1-2 times per week and have been rinsing with cold water.

Was your homemade mask more effective than shopbought options? Sounds intriguing.

I'm the same op!

I have a few products which seem to help a bit. I use Olaplex as well. Only once a week as I am not disciplined enough to do it more and anyway it's so pricey! I also use a leave in oil by Hask or a leave in conditioner spray. It looks alright then if I leave it to air dry, but there's no denying it looks better dried properly.

I'm getting mine trimmed soon having spent a few months growing out a disastrous unwanted angular bob! I'm nervous about losing any hair tbh, but it does need to be cut. Hopefully regular trims and Olaplex will help.

I'm also laying off the hair dye for a good while. Mine is naturally dark blonde and I've dyed it lighter for a while, but just going to go au Natural for a bit I think

Conditioner or leave-in conditioner with hyaluronic acid in it and then seal with a non-silicon serum or light oil. But like skincare.

Some of the Urtekram hair care ranges have hyaluronic acid in them. Or you could try add ing a little bit of a suitable hyaluronic face serum to a conditioner you already like.

Olaplex 9 is a suitable serum and fushi jojoba oil or really god hair oil are suitable oils but only use the tiniest amounts.

Also I’ve seen a big difference using Olaplex 0 and Olaplex 3 as a two step treatment rather than just 3 on it’s own.

Other things that have helped have been:
Washing hair with conditioner not shampoo or applying conditioner first, leaving it on and then lathering shampoo between hands and shampooing over the conditioner, rinsing and conditioning again.
No silicons.
One deep treatment a week, a rotation of Olaplex, a protein treatment, a heated oil, a mask with some kind of plant butter.

Plait it when wet, and after applying product and leave to air dry, if the curls won't bother you. You'll see a difference.

Sleep with a silk cap on your head. Absolute game changer!!

It helps protect your hair and stops the frizz. Way more effective than silk pillow cases.

Also came on to suggest plaiting it damp and leaving it wavy that’s helped my hair tons

Hi,
You can try keratine or botox treatment for your hair. Its really helps x

My hair is like this. I use nioxin 3 because I have had quite a bit of hair loss. The product is amazing, better than olaplex in my opinion.
I also use L'Oréal mythic oil after I take the towel off my hair I use about 5 pumps, run it through all of my hair before coming with a wide-toothed comb.
I try not to wash mine too often and clip it up rather than use a hair bobble because those cause the hair to snap.

Mine is like this - very pouffy and frizzy when left to its own devices. The thing that makes it look better (other than heated hair stylers) is wearing a hat. I know it sounds weird but if I wear a cashmere beanie when it's still a bit damp in the winter, it really smooths it down. Baseball cap has same effect in summer. Failing that, plaiting or twisting and clipping it back helps. Basically anything that holds it down while it dries and stops it from puffing up.
I also like Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse and Living Proof 5-in-1 cream to smooth it down.

Kerastase hair masques are wonderful. I'd also recommend loose plaits and a silk bonnet or pillowcase.

Thanks all. Some great tips for products.

The damp plait technique doesn't work for me, sadly. It just comes out looking like its been badly crimped (and I've stuck a fork in a socket).

My bday is coming up and I was half thinking of asking for a loreal steampod, my logic being that the steam might be less damaging than my regular ceramic tools. Any thoughts?

@LazyMareofEastown

Thanks Dizzy.

It's bleach damage caused by my inability to keep one hair colour for longer than a few months so all my own doing!

It feels soft and can be combed easily when wet, wouldn't say it's noticeably stretchy though. When it dries it's just a knotty, dry mess (despite all the lotions and potions I'm applying while damp and using a wide tooth comb).

I only wash 1-2 times per week and have been rinsing with cold water.

Was your homemade mask more effective than shopbought options? Sounds intriguing.

Hi @LazyMareofEastown yes it was more effective, I gave up with the shop bought ones as they are just there for making money imo.

It smelt horrible. But really was worth putting up with.

Also I wouldn't personally use a steam styler on my hair.

Have never used one - so not from experience. Just imo steam and hair shouldn't mix, just the same as you wouldn't straighten wet hair etc

Miracle water (L'Oréal) and pantene one minute miracle tubes are the only things that stop my hair from looking like a frizzy bunch of straw.

I air dry my hair. The key to not having frizz or making it flat for me is to wait until it’s nearly dry to brush it. Also don’t go to bed with wet hair ever.

@DizzySquirrel90

Also I wouldn't personally use a steam styler on my hair.

Have never used one - so not from experience. Just imo steam and hair shouldn't mix, just the same as you wouldn't straighten wet hair etc

I have much less damage using L'Oréal Steampod than my old ceramic T3 straighteners.

@Mercurial123 my point was more a 'no heat would be better'.

I’ll try again without my name and postcode showing!

This absolutely saved my hair when it was over processed, it smells disgusting and you need to follow the instructions telling you not to touch your hair while it’s on (it will snap!), but it’s brilliant stuff.

It is also possible that you have too much protein in yourhair.

Getting I think you might be onto something there. Having just read a few articles on protein overloaded hair it sounds exactly like mine 😟. Just did a strand test and my hair broke in half as soon as I pulled it.

I bought this stuff a few weeks ago thinking my hair needed protein but it's actually made my hair worse.

I think I need to swerve protein for a while?