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Damaged hair

Question:

My hair is quite damaged – how can I make it healthy again? Sophie.

Answer:

There are many shampoos, conditioners and treatments to strengthen hair and restore structure that are made for home use.

Leave-in treatments are designed to stay in hair to condition and add shine, and are ideal for fine, flyaway hair.

Intensive, deep-conditioning treatments are thicker in texture than conditioners, but work to hydrate, reconstruct and deliver instant shine. Liberally apply conditioning treatment and distribute, using a wide-tooth comb. Leave treatment in hair for 20 minutes, then rinse it thoroughly with lukewarm water until the water runs clear.

Use a low setting to blow-dry your hair, and use hair straighteners with a ceramic coating – they’re less damaging to your hair because of the even heat distribution.

Always use a wide-tooth comb to disentangle your hair, and avoid claw-like clips as they weaken hair and lead to breakages. Use seamless elastic ties to avoid split ends.

Hair that’s been extremely damaged needs a deluxe treatment. Many of these treatments require application by experts, using steamers and heat-processing appliances, so you’ll need to attend a salon.

If you have dry, colour-treated hair, ask your salon for a deep-conditioning treatment. These work like a clear nail varnish, sealing the cuticle and giving hair a super shine.

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