Hair Damage, Breakage & Dryness: All you need to know.

Hair’s molecular structure is made of peptide bonds. When hair is damaged due to continuous exposure to heat, styling and/or other external factors, these bonds break, leaving hair weak, overly elastic, and lacking movement. This type of damage is often considered irreversible because peptides are too large to be reintegrated into the fiber, and bonds remain broken.

Many different stressors, big to small, like chemical treatments, UV, hard water and more, erode hair surface overtime, stripping moisture, creating cracks, leading to dryness and ultimately, breakage, as the cracks deepen from the surface to the core.

The factors mentioned above – excessive heat, chemical treatments, and harsh environmental conditions – first, compromise hair’s outer layer making hair prone to dryness and breakage, and then, lead to irreversible damage at the molecular bond level.

Now that you understand the mechanisms and causes behind hair damage, it’s time to get into how you can prevent & repair it. There are a few basics to keep in mind when it comes to preventing hair damage and ensuring strong hair.

Avoiding heat damage

A top tip for preventing hair damage? Avoid excessive heat when styling. This means being careful with your heat styling tools. If you can, let hair air dry for a bit first and don’t use temperatures that are too high. Be sure, too, to use products that can protect your hair from the heat and work to repair damage at the same time. A bi-phase oil can protect, strengthen and nourish the hair.

Also consider using hair drying tools like AirLight Pro by L’Oréal Professionnel, mimicking natural evaporation to dry hair faster and at lower temperatures, thereby minimizing heat damage.

Hair care products & tips for damaged to very damaged hair

To prevent & repair hair damage, look for salon-quality products that target damaged hair. The Absolut Repair Molecular routine by L’Oréal Professionnel is a full damaged hair treatment routine (including a mask, an oil, and more) that rebuilds the hair’s molecular structure. The mask harnesses a patented concentrated formula that can repair 2 years of damage for 10x stronger, 6x smoother hair, while the patented bi-phase oil can add 100H of shine and 3 days of anti-frizz.

Hair care products & tips for all hair types and hair prone to breakage

Concentrated with Glicoamine, the Metal Detox Mask is a preventive mask suitable for all hairtypes prone to breakage. It is proven to protect against 15 stressors, providing 100 hours of deep hydration, and 97% less breakage. The Metal Detox Protecting concentrated oil can help prevent hair breakage.

When it comes to damaged hair, fear not: prevention and repair are within reach. It’s all about knowing to recognize damage when you see it, and adjusting your haircare routine accordingly. Turn down the heat and turn up the care to keep those locks strong and healthy.