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7 Day Hair Care Routine for Damaged Hair
Our hair is one thing we can call our own. Long, short, colored, black, no matter how we wear it, our locks are uniquely ours. That’s why it can feel a little personal when we get a bad hair day, or worse, damage our hair in ways that can seem irreversible.
Well, pick your head up, queen, because your crown doesn’t have to fall. Those once-luscious locks could still look as radiant as they were with diligence and time. Whether it’s dry hair or frizziness that’s the problem, there’s a hair care routine that can fix your strands once and for all. We’re here to teach you just what it is!
Can you make damaged hair healthy again?
Damaged hair can mean anything from hair breakage to dry hair to brittle hair. As with most problems, the repair process depends on the severity of the damage. This means if you’re only dealing with, say, a mild case of split ends, it’s going to take faster to heal than if you accidentally left bleach on your hair for too long and ended up with paper-white fried noodles for strands. But trust me, even then, you still can make your hair look somewhat decent.
Constructing a good hair care routine that consists of the right products is the name of the game. Your shampoo, conditioning treatments, and any other products should all work together in the name of better hair health. If you are what you eat, your hair is what products you put on it, too. Aloe vera, argan oil, among others, are good ingredients for your damaged hair.
But it’s not just the products that matter; the way we handle our hair outside of the shower is just as important. How often you wash your hair should be a concern. Likewise, be conscious of how you style your hair daily. What brush do you use? Is your ponytail too tight on your head? These are some of the things one should be mindful of when trying to treat damaged hair.
How do you take care of extremely damaged hair?
Want to get rid of hair damage once and for all? The perfect routine will vary from person to person. But if you want a jumping off point to construct the perfect regimen to keep your strands and scalp in tiptop shape, we’ve got you covered. Here’s a 7-day routine we’ve crafted just for all hair types!
DAY 1: SUNDAY
There’s no better day to begin your new and improved routine than the start of a new week! For the first hair care day, focus on deep conditioning your damaged dry hair by using hair masks. There are plenty of products to choose from!
We recommend Dr. Davey’s Argan Oil Deep Conditioner to add as much hydration as possible to your hair strands, because hydration is the most vital part of any hair treatment. The leave-in conditioner is made specifically for chemically damaged and dry hair, as it’s formulated with argan oil to restore moisture and hydration deep within one’s strands.
Wash your hair with a mild shampoo and conditioner (preferably free of sulfates) using lukewarm water, as hot water can dry out your hair easier as well as fade any artificial color. Be sure to air dry your hair instead of using a blow dryer so your hair can retain moisture. To avoid going to sleep with wet hair or damp hair, apply a heat protectant spray and blow dry on a medium setting.
DAY 2: MONDAY
Mondays usually see the start of the work week or classes, so you’ll want to keep your hair looking as good as possible. However, it’s recommended to take as long as possible in between washes to avoid stripping our scalp of its natural oils. Cleaning our hair with water actually removes a lot of the hydration, so it’s best to avoid it and just drink a ton of water instead. Avoid using heat styling tools to keep your hair healthy, too. Instead, opt for a heatless hairstyle that’ll go easy on your delicate strands.
At night, try applying an oil, serum, or similar products to the ends of your hair just to lock in the nutrients your hair needs. We love the all-natural Human Nature Smoothing Serum and it’s an added bonus that the name Human Nature is associated with sustainable, natural products, too.
DAY 3: TUESDAY
By now, your hair is probably getting a little greasy. While the urge to wash your hair is strong, we recommend steering clear of products that could potentially dry out your hair further. At this point, it’s best to use a dry shampoo such as the Bench Fix Professional Shampoo & Dash Dry Shampoo just to remove the excess oil without completely stripping your hair of moisture. That way, your hair can feel grease-free!
DAY 4: WEDNESDAY
Hooray, you’ve made it to the middle of the week! We know your hair might feel a little greased up than usual, but it’s still best to avoid cleaning it with water. At this stage, check up on how your hair is doing. Is it still greasy, dry, or brittle? A good way to diagnose your hair health is by checking for any split ends. Split ends divide the hair shafts and that’s one kind of damage that is irreversible. If you find any, it’s time to start dusting your hair! Here’s a quick tutorial on how to save your locks.
DAY 5: THURSDAY
You’re on your way to healthy hair, and by Thursday, it might be time for some washing. This time, the focus is all on your scalp. In Korean hair care, the scalp is just as important as your hair, and it’s about time we give it a little tender loving care, using the right products, of course.
Start with a gentle exfoliation using a scalp massager or a scalp scaler like this innisfree My Hair Recipe Loss Care Scalp Scaler. This step shouldn’t be done every day, but if performed weekly, it can help restore nutrients from your scalp to your hair’s tips. Having a clean scalp ensures your hair looks more voluminous and shiny. After that, use your mild shampoo and conditioner as you usually would. Remember to air dry your wet hair afterwards or gently pat it with your towel a few times.
DAY 6: FRIDAY
Now, we’re on to day 6 of your hair care journey. Friday is for having fun, and whether you have a socially-distant dinner for two or a Zoom catch-up session, you’re going to want your hair to look perfect. If you’re dying to use heat tools to curl your straight hair (or vice versa), we totally understand. Just make sure you’re using a heat protectant to guard your hair as much as possible before applying heat onto it. At this point, depending on your hair type and the severity of the hair damage, your locks are still going to be a little fragile. The Dove Style + Care Smooth & Shine Heat Protection Spray is your best bet.
DAY 7: SATURDAY
Again, this is one day you’re probably going to want to look immaculate, but you’re going to have to skip washing your hair with water and liquid shampoo and save it for the next day. To keep your hair dry in a healthy way, you can keep using dry shampoo to soak up excess oils without removing the necessary natural oils.
Give your hair a break from heat styling too and opt instead for a more laid-back look. To help bring back some hydration lost from the previous day’s heating tools, try adding some essential oils into the mix. These ultra-nourishing products are a great way to keep damaged hair moisturized no matter what the hair type. There are plenty of oils that also aid in hair growth, but our favorite one by far is the KDEA Castor Oil, an essential oil that has made a name for itself in the hair growth world. Use it for faster hair repair and to prevent any possible hair loss.
And that completes your week-long routine! Easy as 1, 2, 3, right? Be prepared to start it over the next day. Remember, consistency is the key to good results. You got this!
Want more content on hair care, tips for dry hair, damaged hair, hair growth, and more? Stay tuned to our website for more beauty hacks!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best treatment for very damaged hair?
There are plenty of different treatments one could apply to dry hair or damaged hair. Generally, a type of oil such as virgin coconut oil is a great way to add some much needed moisture that could have been lost from bleaching or other such chemicals. An overnight hair treatment is also a great option as it can sit in your locks for longer, as well as keep your hair follicles healthier in the long run.
How can I repair my damaged hair fast?
Caring for hair damage can be just as tricky as skin care, if not even trickier. Once we’ve compromised our natural hair structure, it can feel impossible to restore the shine it used to have. But having healthy hair isn’t as difficult as it sounds. With the right hair care products, you can keep your hair texture smooth and silky again.
For dry hair, the problem is obvious: lack of moisture. In this case, it’s best to load up on oils and serums and possibly an overnight mask. Avoid washing dry hair too often as it can lead to stripping of natural oils.
If you have hair damage due to heat or chemicals such as bleaching, the same rules apply. Avoid washing your hair too often as this could dry it out and possibly fade your color. Keep your hair dry by using a dry shampoo.
If you’re worried about the ends of your hair breaking or splitting, keep your hair shaft healthy and safe by trimming away the bad part with the tutorial we’ve shared above.
Joey is an AB Psychology graduate of the University of St. La Salle – Bacolod. Her life’s passions include writing, film, and spending hours on end binge-watching fashion vloggers on Youtube.
