Hair coloring, rebonding, smoothening, etc., can all be very alluring. With changing styles and trends, it is hard to avoid the urge to go to a salon and request these services. However, leaving aside the aesthetic appeal, these treatments can damage your hair in a number of ways. The harsh chemicals used in styling treatments can cause excessive dryness, frizz, hair fall, and hair breakage. The damage can start a few days after the treatment and last for several months. However, you can help repair severely chemically damaged hair (or at least prevent further damage) with some easy tips and products. Keep reading to find out more.

Table of Contents

• How do chemicals harm the hair?
• How to repair severely chemically damaged hair?
• What products can be used to repair severely chemically damaged hair? 

How do chemicals harm the hair?

Here’s how chemicals interact with your hair:

• Styling treatments like rebonding, smoothing, or perming use strong chemical products to change the shape of your hair. These treatments break the original cell bonds of your hair and reconstruct them to give them a straight or curled appearance. The entire procedure requires the use of excessive heat and chemicals that damages the hair shaft. The more often you get your hair chemically styled, the more your hair is exposed to harsh chemicals. Over time, this can severely damage your hair and result in frizz, breakage, and dullness. 
  
  
• Hair colors use chemicals like Ammonia or Monoethanolamine (MEA). These chemicals break down the hair cuticle, so the color can reach the depth of your hair. Ammonia has been linked to skin burns, dermatitis, hair breakage, and even respiratory issues. Monoethanolamine may be a healthier alternative than Ammonia, but it can still considerably damage the hair shaft. 
• Even peroxide-free hair colors can cause the same amount of damage over time. These hair colors do not permeate the hair cuticle and sit on top of your hair. However, they fade sooner than other types of colors, forcing you to recolor your hair more often. This ultimately leads to the same amount of damage as Ammonia and Monoethanolamine, if not more. 

How to repair severely chemically damaged hair?

Here are tips that you can follow on a regular basis if you want to repair severely chemically damaged hair:

• Limit the use of chemicals on your hair: The first step in repairing your damaged hair is to limit or completely eliminate any further use of chemicals. You can benefit more by embracing the natural shape and look of your hair. You can also consider switching to safer alternatives. For instance, you can use natural henna powder over hair dye. You can also shift to heatless curlers over heat styling products. Little changes can offer your hair time to recover from the damage. 
• Get a haircut: Trimming the damaged ends of your hair can help you red rid of the frizz and dryness. Damage generally starts from the dry split ends of your hair and moves up the strand. Getting regular haircuts will keep your hair healthy by trimming off the damaged parts. 
• Air dry your hair: Air drying your hair instead of using heat can minimize any further damage caused to the hair. Avoid using heat to dry or style your hair as much as possible. You can consider limiting the use of heat to when you are stepping out for important occasions or lower the temperature to the minimum setting to lower the damage. 
• Oil your hair: The benefits of oiling cannot be spoken about enough. Oil massages can stimulate the scalp, increase blood circulation, and promote hair growth. Oils are also perfect for moisturizing your hair as well as scalp and restoring its lost nourishment. You can choose any oil of your choice like almond oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, etc. and use it regularly to see a positive change in your hair quality over time. 
  
  
• Eat healthy: The most ignored but important thing for healthy hair is to nourish it from within. The role of a healthy diet is the most crucial if you want to repair severely chemically damaged hair. Eat food items that are rich in protein, zinc, iron, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids, etc., to ensure that your hair gets the nutrition it needs. If you suffer from any deficiencies, ask your doctor to recommend suitable supplements. 
• Drink a lot of water: 12 to 15% of your hair is made of water, so make sure to always stay hydrated. Water can transform not only your hair, but also your skin.  
  
  
• Consult a dermatologist: Consider visiting a certified dermatologist if you suffer from extreme damage that cannot be repaired with home remedies. Depending on the type and degree of damage, you may need prescribed products or medication to repair your hair.  

What products can be used to repair severely chemically damaged hair?

Here are some products that can help you repair severely chemically damaged hair:

This shampoo and conditioner combo is made from 100% vegan bioactives that can help tame dry, frizzy, and damaged tresses. The shampoo gently cleanser your scalp to remove the build-up of products, dirt, and grime and the conditioner moisturizes your hair.  

Natural hair oils: Castor oil, onion black seed oil, and Moroccan argan oil can help nourish your hair deeply and stimulate growth. The antimicrobial properties of onion can further help remove impurities. 

You can also use a blend of 10 hair oils like extra virgin olive oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, Moroccan argan oil, bhringraj extract, sweet almond oil, vitamin e, rosemary essential oil, and tea tree essential oil for all-rounded care for your hair.  

The haircare range at WOW Skin Science can help repair severely chemically damaged hair and promote general hair health. Browse through the collection to pick suitable products for your hair concern and type. 

Sources: 

• https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/how-to-repair-damaged-hair#hair-dye