The Secret to Fixing *Really* Damaged Hair
There’s damaged hair – a little dry, a little dull, showing the very first signs of breakage – and then there’s really damaged hair. The kind that looks and feels beyond the point of no return. But, before you surrender to Sahara desert-dry hair and settle for a life of messy topknots, know this: you can repair your hair. You just need the right tips and tricks (and a whole heap of conditioner).
So, let's explore the steps you need to take to fix really (really, really) damaged hair. Approved by stylists and used in salons, these techniques give your hair the boost of moisture it craves...
1. Start with a Trim
There‘s no fix for dead ends. Once hair starts splitting, it needs a cut – and fast. That way, you can prevent breakage from working higher and higher up the hair shaft. So, before you do anything else, book a good trim at your nearest Wella Professionals salon. If you want to maintain the length, ask for a Cut & Seal service, so only the very tips of brittle hair are snipped away.
2. Focus On Bond Repair
Strong bonds are the foundation of healthy hair strands, but when they're exposed to heat damage, chemical processes, pollution and UV rays, they start to break down. Cue hair damage. So, your first goal is to support and repair hair with care formulas that work deep within the hair shaft. For this, we recommend the ULTIMATE REPAIR collection.
Each product in the range is infused with AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acid) and Omega-9. The AHA is small enough to penetrate the hair fiber, working at the deepest level to support the internal bonds. Meanwhile, Omega-9, a nourishing fatty acid, fills and smooths the outer layer of the hair cuticle, so you get inside-out repair that leaves strands more resilient.
The essentials in your regimen are ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo and ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner, a caring combo that leaves hair 12x smoother* with 99% less breakage**. Both formulas are vegan, color-safe, and packed with a metal purifier to neutralize damaging metals, so after rinsing, your hair feels clean, soft and manageable.
3. Protect Bonds with Your Hair Color Too
Harness the power of PLEX for bond protection in the salon. It’s our bond-strengthening system which supports the internal hair bonds during the lightening and coloring process. When it’s balayage, highlights or all-over lightening you want, your colorist can reach for BlondorPlex. Not only does it give you up to nine levels of lift, but it also delivers up to 97% less breakage***. Or, if you want bond protection during coloring, they can mix WellaPlex right into your formula, so your dream shade comes with extra care for your hair.
4. Level Up Your Hair Mask Regimen
It’s not enough to simply smooth on a hair mask and let it do its job. To get the most from a deep conditioner, there are two quick changes to make to your regimen. First, after shampooing, make sure you blot excess water away with a microfiber towel. If your hair is too wet, the mask will be diluted, so you need to work with towel-dried hair. Then, after applying your mask, place a plastic cap over your head while the reparative ingredients absorb. Give it a full 10 minutes before you remove the cap, rinse hair with warm water, and blot dry again with your microfiber towel.
As for which mask to use, there’s one key choice when it comes to treating really damaged hair. ULTIMATE REPAIR Mask is the nourishing product that ragged strands crave. It harnesses smart conditioning agents to identify and treat the areas of hair that need it most, so if you find your ends or face frame are more vulnerable to damaging effects, this mask will give you intense nourishment. It also leaves hair six times easier to detangle*, so when you brush hair, you won't have to spend as much time working through knots.
5. Use Leave-In Hair Treatments
When it’s almost-dead hair you’re dealing with, a rinse-out conditioner is just phase one. You also need a leave-in conditioner or treatment to rehydrate parched strands. Why? Because when your hair is put through stress, gaps and tears form along the hair shaft. These holes leave you with highly porous hair, meaning it’s like a sponge; able to absorb a lot of moisture but not able to hold onto it. A leave-in conditioner stays on strands for longer, so your hair can soak up more of its nourishing goodness, allowing it to defy frizz, dryness and tangles.
See for yourself with ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. This powerful treatment repairs hair damage in 90 seconds****, and it couldn’t be easier to use. Mist it through clean, damp hair, let it absorb for 90 seconds, and then style hair as usual. Once your mane is dry, you’ll be able to see and feel the difference.
6. Skip the Everyday Stress
There are so many things we do each day that cause what's known as mechanical damage. Brushing our hair, towel-drying it, slicking it back in a high pony… The list goes on. But, because these steps are often essential and unavoidable, your goal isn’t to stop doing them completely, but to make some tweaks that are gentler on your hair. Try these upgrades:
- Wash with lukewarm water – not hot or cold water – and very gently massage in shampoos and conditioners.
- Swap elastic bands for silk scrunchies, as they don’t tug on your fragile hair.
- Use a microfiber towel or soft cotton t-shirt to blot – not rub – wet hair dry.
- Avoid brushing hair when it’s wet, and use a wide-tooth comb wherever possible.
- Instead of sleeping on cotton, head to bed with silk pillowcases to reduce overnight hair breakage.
7. Make Heat Protection a Priority
No matter if you use a blow dryer and hot tools once per week or every day, you need a heat protectant. Choose one that comes with the bonus of leaving dry hair soft, smooth and beautifully nourished, so frizz is instantly tamed. ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In is our pick, as it aids hair recovery with its delicate cream texture, while shielding strands against heat and providing UV hair protection. Not only will it stop fragile strands from becoming even weaker, but it will also prevent future damage, so hair just keeps getting healthier and healthier.
8. Put Hair Oils Back In
Your hair follicles produce a natural, protective oil known as sebum, which travels down from the roots to the ends of your hair to keep each strand nourished. But, when damage happens, the hair surface is stripped of this natural moisture and left vulnerable to snapping. The fix: a hair oil that's packed with hero hydrators to remedy parched strands. Our go-to is Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil, which is used both in the salon and at home to smooth hair and restore its healthy glow. Apply it through the lengths of your hair, using just a drop at first – you can build up as needed. Need hydration on the go? You can also smooth it through dry hair, over your styling products, for instant glow.
9. Keep Your Hair Repair Journey Consistent
There’s no instant fix for really damaged, dead hair. To get the best results, you’ve got to stick with your regimen and keep adding moisture with nourishing formulas. Be patient, be consistent, and soon you’ll be on track to happier, healthier hair. Oh, and don’t forget those regular trims to keep lifeless, brittle ends at bay.
Looking for more tips to care for damaged hair? Discover our complete collection of Hair Care Guides, featuring advice for every type and concern.
* Vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.
** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. Instrumental test versus non-conditioning shampoo.
*** When using Wellaplex N°2 with Blondorplex, versus Blondorplex alone
**** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.
