How do I rescue my brittle, damaged hair 😞

[Redwinesupernovafallingintome]

Well just that.
It's blonde, I know this doesn't help but I've always been blonde and I have autism so changing this is so difficult for me.
My hair is naturally fine and frizzy so I straighten it. Again I know this is the culprit, but I find it impossible to not do it. I use a heat protector spray but it makes no difference.

I've tried a number of shampoos, masks, collagen, biotin, feels like everything.

So what would you recommend? I'm willing to stop straightening if I can do d a treatment that takes the frizz out, it's completely breaking off around my crown and sides, so scared I'm going to have to cut it all off as I don't suit short hair. I really don't.
Willing to spend money on this.
TIA

Olaplex Oil has been a game changer for me. A little bottle lasts months. A few drops is all you need and apply on damp hair. You can get it from Look Fantastic. Also a great conditioner from Amazon and for the first time in years my hair isn't a mass of split ends - I straighten daily too. I'll find the conditioner name.

Regular cuts
No heat
Minimal products

This one!

Olaplex did nothing for me but switching to a Dyson air wrap (or similar) did. I have curling frizzy hair so I can dry it smooth and straight ish or with a curl and it holds. Before I straightened it every day

Thanks so much, I have never tried olaplex after hearing stories of it making brittle hair worse, but I'll give it a go. Would appreciate the conditioner recommendation too ☺️

I'm halfway three a 'year dedicated to improving my hair quality'. I've stopped colouring it and I have had a really good cut to get rid of as much as the damaged hair as possible.

I'm using Aveda shampure and coconut oil once a week. And plantur 39 or whatever it's called once every couple of weeks.

The new hair that's grown and not been dyed is fantastic compared to the dyed hair.

Bleach London hair mask is amazing. It’s the best one I’ve found.

be careful with olaplex it can make your hair dry depending on protein levels. Is your hair brittle and breaking or is it stretchy and gummy?

you need to stop bleaching it and applying heat.

Mine is similar @Redwinesupernovafallingintome. I box dye it every few weeks, have for 30 years.

I'm getting grey now so don't want to stop dyeing. So this is what I've changed...

-I'm using heat less (previously used ut daily), and always the lowest setting when I dry my hair.
-Using heat protection spray
-being very gentle when brushing

I think it will be a long road, I have so many baby hairs shooting vertically out of my head 🙈

Conditioner and also I forgot I changed to these steam hair irons last year and use them on 190c. They take a bit of getting used to but they have also helped.

It's dry and brittle, so prob not a good idea?
I wish I could stop dyeing and straightening it, but it's who I am, I find this so hard to accept that I need to change my whole look, I do t know how I'm going to do that 😞

K18 mask! Please watch before and afters on Tik Tok. It was INSTANT miracles for my hair

Interesting, was your hair brittle too? I'll go have a look!! 😁

My DCs like Olaplex but I’m not sure it’s particularly beneficial for me. I tried that
L’Oreal glycolic range not expecting much but I really like it and think my hair looks much better.

Windle Lab Fortifying shampoo & conditioner has really transformed my fine, dry, frizzy hair, but that's in conjunction with embracing the curl, not straightening it, and getting regular trims. If your hair's really damaged, anything you put on it is only going to temporarily improve the surface appearance if you don't scale back the heat styling and dyeing.

Hairdresser here. K18 mask. Morrocan Oil. Silk scrunchies.
Shop bought hair masks will do just that, mask the problem.
Have a look at Keratin Blowdries at your local salon, this will smooth the frizz which will reduce your heat usage but also put keratin back into your hair to strengthen it and reduce the breakage they usually last around 3-6 months dependant on the brand.

Mine started being brittle middle of the year and I've turned my straighteners down ( may turn my hairdryer too after reading here) I use a keratin oil in it daily and it's improved massively

Could you try the curly girl method, or a version of it, for a while to see if your 'frizz' is actually waves or curls?

I had little bits snapping off every time I brushed. Olaplex sorted it out- the number 3. Use 2 times a week to start with and then drop to once. Also used Philip Kingsley elasticizer once a week to deep condition.
I do colour and straighten my hair but I think what really damaged it was the sun and being outside for several hours a day. I wear a hat in the summer now which helps protect my hair and face as well.

Sleeping in silk bonnet has been game changer for me -it leaves my hair smoother and less dry. I've only been able to grow my hair since using it!

Is it mushy when wet- kinda like chewing gum? that means it needs protein.

If so, try Aphoghee 2 step reconstructor - it's amazing, loads of reviews on amazon. You MUST do both steps and it's a bit of a faff but it saved my hair from breaking off completely and turned it into soft shiny hair. Its this one:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Aphogee-Balancing-Moisturizer-Two-Step-Treatment/dp/B00852XSZE/ref=sr_1_3?crid=37N7Z4R0I3CFZ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3kVB7IAK4KwxgASPF8nR8HsZ0JEZYzXMSaiAeGwng5gdYzFEGSKOFIi7l58WkXZQEzns2-KNXh58DDxqX4Mc8KMcwWcDXQBCvIqb4i4nb8B3MmimgTjqT8kjKo4FJMNO6ZQfXSutgGv35D3uS2pDtSriHKNdxNXKI8QZCzKh5GdAE6y_KTAicXa_BDdopifl6tP7sLPnFoajtl6vrfvKV675NkcUOZRzunJA4YEQSNBKJJR3QI8Rv-EwQvKiWpjJLt1svSzK6j_yVzQUlLNKpBjipAQ26ZLFIHJB2UiB-w8G-4GPewK4x2ZHqnnyUNxbFO8oxZ-wAQy9Y6HT9-TDSkxRs0Kiq-0m1nBPRnMaIU6nAlEXHoHFMwFdBRmt9T6QSXmr1NMW1699JACJVDOuyestuYo4cgNnqUrqyswglFrwQePUy5gRY5bWrpPEysDu.J7lQFXcfhxBaJrBV8JPRx8wQTFQtv0dx-o_SZgWi4ro&dib_tag=se&keywords=aphogee+2+step&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1735545695&sprefix=aphogee+2+step%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-3

Adding my name here, so I can find it later.

I may want to try some of these ideas myself

I also have the same problem as you OP. It has been going on for a few years now. Very fine, brittle hair breaking off mainly on the right side. I fear the straighteners are the issue but my hair looks horrendous without it being straightened. I have tried so many expensive and not so expensive products, taken supplements etc and nothing seems to really make any difference. I dye it once a year, I go to the hairdressers every 6-8 weeks for a trim and try and leave it a few days between washing - it is still really bad and very depressing.

Philip Kingsley Elastisizer is fabulous stuff as is K18 mask. Olaplex is, in my opinion, the most overrated haircare I've ever used and I have used a lot!

If you watch YouTube then highly recommend the hair profesor. He taught me so many things for my hair type and DRASTICALLY improved my hair.
The main thing-for me have been to use a leave in conditioner. The best one is Pureology Colour Fanatic 21 Benefit Hair Treatment Spray 200ml.
spray on your hair after you’ve got out the shower and before you blow dry. It’s now on sale for £18 on the look fantastic website!

After all the hype about Olaplex, I was very disappointed. Sadly the only thing that helped my hair was dying it less and straightening it less. Lotions and potions only tone down the damage. They can't fix it. In saying that, I use the Kérastase Resistance range of shampoos and conditioners. it does a good job of taming damage.