Tips for Short, Damaged Hair

Just because you have short, damaged hair now, it doesn’t mean that your hair has to remain in this condition forever. A myriad of products are on the market to help with just about any hair issue you have. Sometimes, you get conflicting advice because there are so many products. Experts on hair want your hair to look its best, so they are usually not shy about giving you tips.

Heated Appliances

If you have damaged hair, give it a break from heated appliances. Let your hair air dry as much as you can. Save the appliances for those must-have occasions. Avoid flat irons especially. When using a blow dryer, use a nozzle, which puts a distance between the dryer’s heat and your hair. To prevent frizz after blow-drying, apply a small dab of styling cream into your damp hair before you blow it dry. After the cream, you can apply a light-hold gel to your hair to coat it. Blow-dry your hair until it is about 90 percent dry, and let it air dry the rest of the way.

Condition

Conditioning your hair strengthens it from within. Purchase products designed for damaged hair. Besides using a regular conditioner that you use after you shampoo, you need to use a deep conditioner every week when you have damaged hair. Conditioning products build elasticity and give your damaged hair the moisture and protein it needs.

Trims

Short, damaged hair with split ends needs a trim every four weeks, according to Marie Claire. Even if you are trying to grow your hair longer, you shouldn’t skip getting a trim. You cannot fix split ends. The only solution is to snip them off. A tiny trim, combined with a deep-conditioning treatment, prevents split ends from returning and keeps your hair healthier.

Eat Healthy Foods

Eat protein-rich foods, such as fish, chicken and nuts, for healthy hair. Some foods that are rich in essential fatty acids are salmon, flax seeds and walnuts. Scallops, shrimp, halibut, tofu, collard greens, broccoli and Brussels sprouts are also good.