Goodbye, Breakage! How to Strengthen Hair in 9 Steps

1. Wash with a Strengthening Shampoo

Shampoo is the foundation of healthy hair routines, so when you're seeking strength, it's important to choose a formula that helps to bolster and support your delicate hair strands. Fusion Intense Repair Shampoo is our go-to recommendation for anyone prone to hair breakage, as it works to recover the hair fiber at both macro and micro levels, providing damaged hair with a much-needed, inside-out boost.

The formula is also ultra-gentle, giving you deep cleaning action without any stripping, so natural, protective oils are kept intact. Plus, it's packed with Metal Purifier, meaning it neutralizes metals often found in the water you wash with. Team it with Fusion Intense Repair Conditioner for hair that feels clean and cared for from one wash day to the next.

For deeply damaged hair, ULTIMATE REPAIR Shampoo is another strengthening pick, formulated with a skincare-inspired blend of AHA and Omega-9 fatty acids. The rich, creamy lather removes even small debris from strands, while nourishing from root to tip. Combine with ULTIMATE REPAIR Conditioner for a regimen that repairs stressed strands, leaving hair 12x smoother* with 99% less breakage**. 

Pro Tip: If you're dealing with brittle, dry hair, try massaging your shampoo into the roots of wet hair only. As the lather is rinsed away, it will run through the lengths for gentle cleansing, minus the friction.

2. Use a Hair Mask for Brittle Hair

When boosting hair strength is your goal, a weekly hair mask is a must. Choose one that's specifically designed to reduce split ends, like Fusion Intense Repair Mask. The creamy formula harnesses Silksteel Technology, inspired by nature's strongest fiber, the spiderweb, alongside amino acids and intensely conditioning nutrients that enhance hair's resilience. Smooth it through the lengths and ends of clean, towel-dried hair and allow it to absorb for five minutes, then rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water – never hot, as this can leave strands stripped.

Pro Tip: After masking, the way you towel-dry your hair has a big impact on its look and feel, so take a 'gently, gently' approach. Instead of rubbing with a regular towel, use a microfiber towel or soft cotton T-shirt. Blot away excess moisture to dry lightly without causing friction and frizz, and if you have curly hair, try the plopping method to protect the texture and definition. You'll need a T-shirt for this; lay it out in front of you with the neck furthest away from your body, then tip your hair upside down and slowly lower curls onto the fabric. Next, scoop your hair up in the T-shirt, wrap it around your head, and secure it by tying the sleeves. Leave it in place for at least 30 minutes, until you're ready to air-dry or blow dry your curls.

3. Give Yourself a Scalp Massage

Healthy hair follicles = stronger hair, so give your roots some extra care. When you're lathering up your shampoo or waiting for your hair mask to absorb, try a scalp massage to boost blood flow. There's no set technique you have to follow; simply use fingertips to slowly rub the roots of hair in circular motions or use a specialized brush for quick yet effective scalp stimulation.

Pro Tip: If it's hair wash day, you could even massage your scalp with a relaxing essential oil, like rosemary or lavender. Work it into the hair roots to help fingertips glide, release tension with circular gestures, and then hit the shower to rinse thoroughly. 

4. Repair Hair Damage Fast in Just 90 Seconds

After washing and towel-drying your hair, mist it from root to tip with ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue, a weightless leave-in treatment designed to repair hair damage in 90 seconds***. It's one of the quickest yet hardest-working steps in your wash day regimen, delivering results you can see and feel. Plus, it's suitable for all hair types, from straight to curly and fine to thick.

Pro Tip: Make sure you let ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue absorb for the full 90 seconds before styling. Use it before any styling products, such as mousses, serums or heat protection sprays.

5. Blow-Dry with a High-Quality Heat Protectant

Air-drying has long been hailed as the least damaging way to get hair dry, as it doesn't involve any heat damage from your hair dryer. But, if you have brittle hair, blow-drying slowly on a very low heat may be more beneficial, and it all comes down to the way your hair behaves when it's wet. When you wash your hair, your strands absorb and hold onto so much water that they start to swell, and this swelling can actually weaken the hair shaft by putting pressure on internal bonds. The longer your hair is wet, the more pressure those bonds are under, making a blow-dry the better option for healthier hair. But you'll still need protection; prep damp strands with ULTIMATE REPAIR Protective Leave-In, a delicate cream which protects against frizz, breakage and heat up to 230°C/450° F. 

Pro Tip: Many of us expose our hair to excessive heat by forgetting the temperature dial on our hot tools. Turn it down to the lowest level possible for your hair thickness. The best temperature to dry or heat style your hair should be:

• 120-150°C/250-300°F for fine or damaged hair
• 150-180°C/300-350°F for medium or wavy hair
• 180-200°C/350-390°F for thick or curly hair

6. Book in for *This* Hair Strengthening Salon Treatment

Head to your nearest Wella salon and book in for the Fusion Amino Acid Refiller, a strengthening treatment which sees a super boost of amino acids delivered deep into the hair cortex. Your stylist will wash hair with the Fusion Shampoo first, then apply the Refiller from root to tip, with extra focus on the most porous areas, which need extra TLC. After rinsing, the Fusion Conditioner or Mask is applied for extra strength, leaving hair silky, soft, and 95% more resilient against breakage****.

Pro Tip: Not sure where you can book a Fusion Amino Acid Refiller treatment? Use our Salon Finder to discover Wella Professionals salons.

7. Finish Styles with a Hair Oil

The natural oils that come from your scalp protect your hair health by coating strands from root to tip, but if your hair is still dry and brittle, using hair oil in your styling regimen will help. Try Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil, which is brimming with Avocado and Macadamia Seed Oils, giving fragile hair a dose of shine and smoothness in one. Apply it to the mid-lengths and ends of dry or damp hair, starting with just a drop at first. Add more as needed for shiny hair that gleams with health.  

Pro Tip: Oils are occlusive, meaning they create a barrier around hair strands to lock in nourishment. Use them as the last step in your hair care routine (even after a heat protectant) to get the best results. 

8. Enjoy a Hair-Boosting Diet

It's thought that a healthy, balanced diet may help to contribute to stronger hair, skin and nails, so use this as your excuse to whip up a variety of tasty, nutrient-rich meals. Some of the vitamins and minerals you need to support hair health include zinc (commonly found in meat, nuts, seeds, whole grains and dairy products), iron (in red meat, beans and leafy greens), vitamin D (in oily fish, egg yolks and cereals) and vitamin C (in citrus fruits, strawberries, potatoes and peppers). Make sure you're also drinking plenty of water to keep your body hydrated, which in turn, can help to nourish dry hair too.

Pro Tip: Your body tends to be most efficient at absorbing nutrients in the morning, so don't skip breakfast. If you're tight on time, try overnight oats (prepped the evening before), a wedge of grapefruit, or a bowl of granola, berries and yogurt. 

9. Ask for PLEX

Next time you book in for a color session, ask your colorist to use BlondorPlex if they’re lightening your hair, or WellaPlex if they’re toning. PLEX is our bond-strengthening system which reinforces hair bonds during the lifting or coloring process, so you get a nourishing boost while your dream shade develops. Your colorist will follow it up with a rinse using the WellaPlex No2 Bond Stabilizer. A must for anyone who worries about the impact of chemical treatments on their delicate strands, it leaves hair stronger and more resilient from color to color.

Pro Tip: To boost the results of WellaPlex, take the No3 Hair Stabilizer home from the salon with you. It's an at-home conditioning treatment that maintains strong hair in between salon appointments. Apply it to clean damp hair from root to tip, smooth it through with a wide-tooth comb, and then rinse thoroughly to deeply nourish breakage-prone strands. 

* Vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.

** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue instrumental test vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.

*** When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. 

**** Fusion shampoo and conditioner vs. non-conditioning shampoo. Looking for more ways to look after your hair? Discover our complete collection of hair care guides, packed with professional advice for every type of style.