Hair damage can result from several causes. Intense sun, temperature variations, and hard water are just some of the environmental factors causing hair damage. Hairstyles such as tight and heavy braids and using chemicals also cause hair breakage. Other factors that can threaten healthy hair are poor nourishment, medications, and stress. Despite these threats, there are several tips that you can use to fix fragile, brittle, and damaged hair. Check out our top 8 tips to repair your damaged hair.

1. Avoid Heat

Using blow dryers, flat iron, curling iron or other equipment that use heat for your hair styling can cause breakage or even make your hair lose its strength. Exposing your hair to the burning sun isn't a good idea for weak hair. It is advisable that you wear protective gear such as a hat to protect your hair.

If you have to style your hair with blow dryers or curling equipment, it is advisable that you use a recommended thermal protection spray before the process, and finishing products with added protective oils. Make sure that your styling equipment is at low temperature during the process. You may also opt to air dry your hair or enhance its straightening or curling with hair products specifically designed for such purposes.

2. Apply the Right Products

The products you use on your hair can either lead to further damage or restore your hair. Therefore, you must ensure that the products you are using are the right ones. How will you know that you are using the right products without an experience? This is where you need to use the services of a hair stylist.

A professional stylist can check up on your damaged hair, get to understand the reasons for the weakness of your hair, and thereby recommend the right products. When using shampoos, make sure that you only apply those containing natural oils and herbs. These will reinforce your hair naturally by infusing proteins and required amino acids.

On the other hand, shampoos and conditioners containing sodium lauryl or laureth sulfates are not good options as they remove the natural proteins contained in your hair. Also, avoid shampoos that dry out your hair and do not shampoo your hair too frequently as this can make your hair more brittle.

When rinsing the hair of shampoo, use lukewarm water and finish with cold water. Cold water helps close the hair cuticles which will finally lead to smooth and shinier hair. When conditioning, start at the roots moving to the ends and only use conditioners with moisturizing properties. Some of the ingredients in good conditioners are aloe vera, glycerol, shea butter, proteins, and panthenol. Once you condition your hair, wrap it with a hot towel or shower cap, as this makes it penetrate deeply.

3. Treat Split Ends

While no cure exists for split ends, there are some methods to remedy them. A good trim is one of them. Also, a soothing shampoo and conditioner can help correct the issue. You can even apply treatment oils on the tips of the hair and use reinforcing products while styling.

4. Limit Chemical Use

Use of chemicals, bleaching or coloring agents can damage your hair by weakening. Using these products in large quantities or frequently can cause permanent damage making your hair dry and frizzy thereby causing hair breakage. To avoid this, use shampoos, conditioners and styling products with stearyl or a fatty alcohol, as these products can help to strengthen weak hair. Use a deep conditioning treatment more frequently on severely weakened hair, after cleaning it with a hydrating shampoo. Then wrap your hair for several hours or even overnight just to make sure that this treatment penetrates deep into the scalp for more efficient results.

5. Control the Frizz Factor

Frizzy hair can be a big stress making you live in fear of rain or humidity. However, you can prevent this condition through a hair trim. You do not need to cut off all your hair, but a beautiful trim can give you the power to take back control of unruly hair. Use products such as a moisturizing keratin shampoo and conditioner. They help restore protein back to your damaged hair. For useful results, however, you need to use these products regularly. Anti-frizz styling products also work well on your hair. Apply them in the evening and wrap your hair waiting to rinse in the morning. Also, avoid applying oil-based serums directly on the scalp as they can become too greasy.

6. Mind Your Scalp

Remember, your scalp is the starting point of healthy hair. Without a healthy scalp, you cannot have the guarantee of strong hair. Use moisturizing oils for dry and itchy scalps. You may massage your hair with such oils so as to moisturize your hair just before washing your hair. Try a deep conditioning treatment to moisturize a dry scalp and weak hair. If you have dandruff, search for the most recommended dandruff shampoo and treatment, or talk to your hair stylist and ask for a suggestion on some of the best conditioners to resolve dandruff problems.

7. Mind Your Diet

Diet plays a significant role when it comes to the health of your hair and scalp. The reason behind this is that the nutrients in your food provide the required energy for hair growth. Therefore, taking a diet that doesn't give this energy makes your hair reluctant to grow. It is recommended that you eat meals rich in iron and zinc, as these help in the growth of hair follicles by adding proteins that strengthen hair.

Also, consume food rich in vitamin C as this helps in iron absorption. Tropical fruits such guava which is rich in vitamin C help prevent hair breakage. Also, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids can help enhance the shiny appearance of your hair. Foods with vitamin B5, such as Greek yogurt, protect against hair thinning and hair loss.

Additionally, eat foods rich in vitamin D as they help activate growth of your hair and protein rich foods as they boost hair strength by promoting cell growth and repair. Always add dark green vegetables such as spinach to your meals, as these assist and repair brittle hair. And don't forget to drink water to help strengthen weak hair.

8. Change Your Hairstyle Regularly

The way you wear your hair on a daily basis has a lot to do on whether you make it weaker or if you enhance its strength. Pushing back your hair often causes split ends. Tight braids or styles that create a lot of stretching causes weakening from stressing hair ends.

It is, therefore, advisable that you change your hairstyles and avoid wearing such styles on a routine basis as this will cause the relaxation of your hair. Also, apply a strengthening conditioner and other styling products when wearing your hair down especially for weak hair. Avoid excessive brushing of weak hair and avoid wearing tight hats as these cause undue strain of the hair ends. Apply a conditioner while combing your hair while on the shower and a detangling spray once you need to brush your hair.

The above tips can help promote healthier hair. If you do not note a change in your hair by using them, make sure that you consult a professional dermatologist as your condition may be medical.