We get jealous of that girl who has smooth, glossy, and perfect hair. Because of that, you invest your time and money to get that desired look. This means putting your hair through chemical treatments and experimenting with hair dyes to rock the color you are seeking.
It’s also crazy how those shampoo and conditioner ads promise us with those salon smooth hair, right? Not until months after having chemically treated hair that we start to see the ugly truth – chemically damaged hair. Your hair is now seeking for help and you are faced with the consequences of exposing your hair to strong chemicals.
Know The Signs of Chemically Damaged Hair
Having had my hair straightened through annual chemical treatments and exposed to harsh chemicals for almost 10 years, I’ve experienced firsthand the serious damage it caused. Here are some of the things I’ve noticed as a result of these treatments:
1. Hair Fall, Hair Thinning, and Hair Loss
This was the first thing I noticed. I would see clumps of hair at the drain after taking a shower or I’d find more falling hair strand than usual when I comb my wet hair. It was alarming as it was far more than the normal amount of shedding.
2. Frizzy and Brittle Hair
Dealing with brittle and frizzy hair became another issue. No matter how much I tried to tame my hair, it just seemed to have a life of its own. Even with a leave in conditioner I have used, it never regained its manageability.
3. Hair Lacks Luster and Natural Shine
My hair lost its natural shine and became dry and straw-like to the touch. After years of chemical treatments, that vitality seemed to fade away.
4. Split Ends
Months after each chemical treatment, my hair strands tend to get split ends which would ruin the overall look of my hair.
Navigating The Common Damage Hair Problem Together
If you are experiencing any one of these consequences, you are not alone. There is hope to reclaim your naturally healthy hair without spending that much or resorting to surgical hair restoration or hair transplant. I will share the hair care habits that helped me revive and grow my natural hair again.
Keep in mind though that these tips may vary depending on your type. For me, I have straight, coarse, and dry hair with an Asian background so what worked for me might need a little tweaking for your hair type.
Good Hair Care Habits To Regrow Hair After Chemical Damage
1. Limit Your Hair’s Exposure To Heat
The first step I did to regrow my hair is limiting its exposure to heat. Styling tools like blow dryer, hair straighteners, and curling irons can eventually lead to weakened hair strands that would hinder the regrowth process.
I was able to achieve healthy hair regrowth by opting for air-drying as much as possible and using heat styling sparingly. I only use heat tools during special occasions which just rarely happens. When using heat tools, apply a heat protectant spray to minimize damage. Keep the heat setting low to reduce the risk of frying your hair. By reducing heat exposure, you will help your hair recover from chemical damage and encourage new, healthy growth.
2. Take A Break From Chemical Treatments To Allow Hair Regrowth
I took a 2-year break from chemical treatments to facilitate hair regrowth after the chemical damage it went through for 10 years. I avoided processes like hair coloring, perming, straightening, and rebonding as these can further weaken already compromised hair follicles, impeding the regrowth of healthy strands.
By abstaining from these treatments, these allowed my hair to recover and strengthen. Embrace your hair’s natural texture and color during this break, and focus on nurturing it with natural nourishing treatments which I’ll discuss next.
3. Choose A Natural Shampoo That Matches Your Hair Type
From hair products that resulted in hair loss, I transitioned to a new shampoo free from harsh chemicals and synthetic additives ensuring that my hair is provided with all the nutrients it needs. This is not a sponsored content, but I’d like to share the hair products from Human Nature which I’ve been using for a year already.
Human Nature offers a range of natural hair care products with all ingredients that cater to various hair types, from dry and damaged to oily or sensitive scalps. I’ve been using their Moisturizing Mandarin Natural Shampoo for dry, rough hair.
It’s important to note that when choosing a shampoo, consider factors such as your hair’s texture, thickness, and other specific concerns you may have, such as scalp sensitivity or excessive dryness.
You may opt for natural ingredients that support your hair’s health like aloe vera or coconut oil which can help replenish moisture, strengthen hair follicles, and promote healthy growth. For coconut oil, I can attest that it restored hair moisture. The natural oils that were stripped away due to prolonged chemical exposure are replenished by the rich, nourishing qualities of coconut oil.
By making the switch to a natural shampoo that aligns with your hair’s needs, you’re taking a proactive approach to support its recovery from chemical damage.
4. Use A Natural Conditioner Everytime You Wash Your Hair
Pairing a natural conditioner with your shampoo is essential for replenishing moisture which restores elasticity and promotes hair health, especially after chemical damage. As mentioned previously, Human Nature also offers a range of natural conditioners formulated with natural extracts to provide comprehensive care for your hair.
I used Human Nature’s Green Tea & Lemon Moisturizing +Plus Natural Conditioner for smoother, frizz-free hair. Their products are also free from harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, and silicones, which can further damage and weigh down the hair. I regularly use their natural conditioner and noticed how it helped strengthened my hair shaft, reduced hair frizz, and enhanced the manageability of my hair.
By incorporating a natural conditioner into your hair care routine alongside a natural shampoo, you’re adopting a holistic approach to hair care that nurtures your crowning glory from the hair follicles to tip.
5. Lock-in Moisture Through Natural Leave-in Conditioners or Oils
Locking in moisture through natural leave-in conditioners or oils is likewise important in restoring hydration and vitality to chemically damaged hair. I use Human Nature’s Smoothing & Nourishing Hair Serum. It replenishes moisture and enhances the hair health as it contains a blend of nourishing botanical oils including broccoli, sunflower, avocado, and soybean oils. These oils work synergistically to deeply hydrate and nourish the hair without weighing it down, resulting in smoother, shinier, and more manageable locks.
For protein repair, I use Human Nature’s Natural Hair Revival Coco Mask. Infused with virgin coconut oil, this mask deeply moisturizes and repairs damaged hair while providing essential protein repair.
Like the hair mask, if you are using virgin coconut oil, you can use it as a treatment. It further enhances the health and appearance of your hair. Virgin coconut oil is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants, making it an excellent natural moisturizer and conditioner. When applied properly to the hair and scalp, virgin coconut oil can help replenish lost moisture and strengthen hair follicles.
By incorporating these natural hair treatments into your routine, including Human Nature’s Smoothing & Nourishing Hair Serum and Natural Hair Revival Coco Mask or with virgin coconut oil application, you’re taking proactive steps to lock in moisture, repair damage, and promote healthy hair growth.
5. Nourish Your Locks With A Hair-Friendly Diet
While natural hair care products that are applied externally can work wonders, true hair health begins from within. Nourishing your hair from the inside out through a balanced diet is just as important as using external treatments.
I include foods rich in essential nutrients such as vitamins A, C, E, and B vitamins, as well as minerals like zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids. Incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats into your diet can provide your hair with the nourishment it needs to thrive.
Foods like spinach, carrots, sweet potatoes, berries, nuts, seeds, salmon, eggs, and avocado are particularly beneficial for promoting hair health due to their high nutrient content. Additionally, I stay hydrated by drinking at least 2 liters of water to maintain moisture balance in the scalp and hair follicles.
With a hair-friendly diet, you’re providing your hair with the building blocks it needs to grow stronger.
6. Patience Pays Off: Enduring To Promote Hair Growth
The journey to transitioning from chemically damaged hair to a natural one requires perseverance. You’re not alone as I too faced challenges along this hair growth journey. There came a time that I became impatient with it as I almost wanted to redo a hair color and hair dyes, use hair treatments and styling products with chemicals, or resort to other chemical processes to make it look good.
I found it difficult to manage my hair which was partly damaged and partly natural, resulting in a puffy or uneven appearance. As a temporary solution, I’ve been tying up my hair when I go out as it gives me a sense of control and reduced self-consciousness about its appearance.
All I can say is true progress for a healthy hair growth requires patience and commitment. By allowing the damaged hair to grow out until it reaches a length where it can be safely trimmed, you’re making a conscious decision to prioritize the long-term health of your hair over short-term cosmetic concerns. This act of patience and endurance is a testament to your dedication to promoting hair growth and restoring vitality to your locks.
Ultimately, the decision to cut off the damaged hair marks a significant milestone in my hair care journey. I cut it off last January 28, 2024, a day after my wedding. It signified a fresh start and a renewed commitment to nurturing my hair back to its optimal state. By embracing patience and enduring the challenges, you’re laying the foundation for healthier, more resilient hair that you can feel confident and proud of.
Final Thoughts: Cultivate Healthy Hair Habits for Lasting Beauty
It is a sad truth how unrealistic beauty standards have led many of us to waste money on chemical treatments that promise quick fixes but often result in long-term damage. We only focus on the immediate results without fully understanding the potential damage it brings beneath the surface. The very actions we take to enhance our hair’s appearance may be compromising its health at the root level.
On the other hand, if you experience much damaged hair, permanent hair loss, permanent scarring, chemical burns, dry scalp, chemical trauma, bald patches, hair thinning, damaged hair follicles, and other severe damage, seek guidance from professionals when this has become apparent. Hair care experts can provide personalized solutions to address your specific hair concerns.
By adopting a holistic approach to hair care and combining healthy habits with the right hair care products, we can pave the way for remarkable results in regrowing our natural hair. It’s a journey that requires time and patience, but the rewards of regrowing and nurturing it back to its optimal state are immeasurable.
It’s time to shift our perspective and embrace our natural hair beauty. Chemical treatments are not sustainable in the long run, and true happiness and beauty start from accepting and celebrating our natural hair.
Let’s embark on this journey of self-acceptance and embrace the beauty of our natural hair. It’s a reflection of our unique identity and inner confidence.
In the end, it’s not just about achieving a desired aesthetic. It’s about embracing a lifestyle that prioritizes the well-being of our hair from the inside out.
If you’re intrigued by the hair products I’ve mentioned from Human Nature, simply click the link below to explore their comprehensive line of hair care products.
Human Nature is a social enterprise brand of natural beauty and personal care products.
