Over Processed Hair: Tips and Tricks to Repair It
If you're someone who loves experimenting with heat styling, bleaching, or chemical treatments like relaxers or perms, you're probably no stranger to the unfortunate side effects of chemical damage. Over time, these processes can lead to what we commonly refer to as "over processed hair." This means your hair might become dry, brittle, frizzy, and more porous than usual. Styling becomes a challenge, and maintaining that healthy shine and bounce seems nearly impossible.
In this guide, we'll dive into effective strategies for fixing over processed hair. From recommending the best products to sharing expert tips for damaged hair, we've got you covered. Let's get started on the journey to healthier, happier hair!
What is over processing:
Over processing occurs when hair is subjected to excessive chemical treatments, heat styling, or other damaging practices. This can lead to a range of issues such as dryness, breakage, split ends, and a loss of elasticity. It's crucial to recognize the signs of over processed hair in order to effectively address and prevent further damage. Over processing happens when your hair gets too much chemical treatment, heat styling, or other damaging stuff. It can cause dryness, breakage, split ends, and make your hair lose its bounce. Spotting the signs of over processed hair is key to fixing and preventing more damage. You'll notice over processed hair by its brittle texture, lack of shine, and how easily it tangles. All that processing weakens the bonds that hold your hair together, making it more likely to break. Plus, over processed hair can look dull and lifeless because it's missing moisture and essential nutrients that keep it healthy. If you see these signs, it's time to switch up your hair care routine to give your hair some TLC.
Over processed hair lacks the ability to retain moisture and elasticity, which often leads to issues like split ends and breakage. But don't worry—there's hope! If you find yourself in the midst of over processing, it's time to implement a targeted hair care routine to restore and rejuvenate your locks.
Common issues with over processed hair:
Split Ends: These occur when the hair shaft splits or frays due to damage to the cuticle. Over processing can strip the hair of moisture and nutrients, leading to split ends. If left untreated, split ends can worsen and cause further damage.
Frizz: Over processed hair is more likely to become frizzy due to its weakened structure and lack of moisture. Frizz is characterized by unruly, flyaway strands and can be aggravated by humidity and friction from styling tools.
Breakage: This refers to the snapping or splitting of hair strands, often due to the weakened condition of over processed hair. Breakage can occur during styling or brushing, leading to noticeable thinning and loss of volume.
Dryness: Over processed hair tends to be dry and brittle because of depleted natural oils and proteins. Dry hair lacks moisture, resulting in a rough and dull texture. Addressing dryness is crucial to prevent further damage.
Lack of Elasticity: Elasticity is the hair's ability to stretch and return to its original shape without breaking. Over processed hair often lacks this elasticity, feeling stiff and prone to snapping when stretched. Healthy hair maintains good elasticity.
How to repair over processed hair:
Trim Regularly
Schedule regular trims to get rid of split ends and prevent them from traveling up the hair shaft. This will help keep your hair looking healthier and more manageable.
Use Moisturizing Products
Invest in hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and deep conditioning treatments specifically designed for damaged or over processed hair. Look for products with ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, shea butter, or keratin to help restore moisture and nourishment.
Avoid Heat Styling:
Give your hair a break from heat tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers. Heat can further damage over processed hair, so opt for air drying whenever possible or use heat protectant sprays before styling.
Limit Chemical Treatments:
Minimize the use of chemical treatments such as coloring, bleaching, perming, or relaxing until your hair recovers. Over processing can weaken your hair, so reducing chemical exposure will help prevent further damage.
Use a Wide-Tooth Comb:
After washing your hair, use a wide-tooth comb to detangle gently. This will help prevent breakage and minimize stress on your fragile hair strands.
Apply Hair Masks:
Treat your hair to weekly or bi-weekly deep conditioning masks or treatments. You can also try DIY masks using natural ingredients like honey, avocado, or yogurt to nourish and repair your hair.
Protect Your Hair:
Wear hats or scarves when exposed to harsh sunlight, wind, or environmental pollutants that can further damage over processed hair.
Eat a Balanced Diet:
Your hair's health is also influenced by your diet. Include foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and proteins, such as leafy greens, eggs, nuts, and fish, to promote healthy hair growth.
Be Gentle:
Avoid vigorous towel drying and harsh brushing when your hair is wet, as wet hair is more prone to breakage. Pat your hair dry gently with a soft towel and use a wide-tooth comb to detangle.
Consult a Professional:
If your hair is severely damaged, consider consulting a hairstylist or trichologist for personalized advice and treatments tailored to your hair's needs.
Products:
If you're interested in specific product recommendations for repairing over processed hair! Here's a breakdown of some excellent options available in our salon:
Deep Conditioning Masks:
Davines Nounou Hair Mask: This mask is fantastic for nourishing and repairing over processed hair. It replenishes moisture, repairs damage, and improves hair elasticity, making your hair feel healthier and more manageable.
Davines The Renaissance Circle Hair Mask: This intensive repairing mask is perfect for damaged and over processed hair. It deeply nourishes and strengthens hair fibers, leaving your hair soft, smooth, and revitalized.
Leave-In Treatments:
Davines Oi All In One Milk: This lightweight, non-greasy leave-in treatment is perfect for over processed hair. It helps detangle, moisturize, and protect your hair from heat styling and environmental damage, leaving it smooth and protected.
Davines OI Oil: This multi-functional oil can be used as a leave-in treatment for over processed hair. It adds shine, tames frizz, and nourishes dry ends without weighing down your hair.
Heat Protectant Sprays:
Davines Melu Hair Shield: Use this heat protectant spray to minimize damage from blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. It adds a protective barrier to your hair, reducing the impact of heat styling.
Davines This is a Blowdry Primer: Use this heat protectant spray before blow drying to shield your hair from heat damage. It also reduces drying time and helps with styling.
Sulfate-Free Shampoos and Conditioners:
Davines Minu Shampoo and Conditioner: These sulfate-free products are gentle on over processed hair and scalp, helping to prevent further dryness and irritation while maintaining your hair's color and vibrancy.
Davines Momo Shampoo and Conditioner: Ideal for dry and dehydrated hair, this gentle shampoo and conditioner combo hydrates and moisturizes over processed hair, leaving it soft and manageable.
Protein Treatments:
Davines Nourishing Keratin Sealer: Incorporate this protein treatment to strengthen and repair your over processed hair. It fortifies the hair's structure, filling in gaps and cracks caused by damage, resulting in improved resilience and overall hair health.
Davines Naturaltech Nourishing Vegetarian Miracle Conditioner: This deeply nourishing conditioner is great for restoring moisture balance to over processed hair