There are many reasons why you have hair damage. One of them is using hair care products that contain very harsh chemicals. If you want to restore your chemically-damaged hair, then you should learn how to care for it the proper way.

Caring for Dye-Damaged Hair

Hair dyes can strip the natural moisture from your hair. It can make your hair feel coarse to the touch. That is why many Melbourne hairdressers are very careful when dyeing the hair of their clients. They don’t want to cause more damage than necessary. They recommend dyeing the hair to not more than three shades darker than the natural colour of one’s tresses. This can help minimise the damage to the individual follicles. 

Hairdressers also recommend dyeing less often. There are some people who would like to have a touch-up every 4 to 6 weeks. This will only worsen the hair damage. The ideal interval will be at least 8 to 10 weeks. If you can forego the touch-up for much longer, so much the better.

If you already have dye-damaged hair, you can apply olive oil. It will rehydrate the hair follicles and smoothen the cuticle. This can also help soften the hair without affecting the dye on your hair. Wait 3 to 5 days after you have dyed your hair before you start applying olive oil.

You can also use the right type of shampoo and conditioner that is specific for dyed hair. As much as possible, it should have the correct pH and also be colour-safe. The correct pH of these hair care products can help prevent swelling of the hair shaft. This will also prevent the hair dye from leaking out. It helps lengthen the lifespan of the dye while protecting your hair from further damage.

When washing the hair, do not use warm or hot water. Always use cool water. This will help keep the cuticles from opening.

Caring for Bleach-Damaged Hair

Bleaching your hair can cause more damage. Bleaching agents work by swelling the hair to allow the active ingredients to reach the inner layers of the hair shaft. It then dissolves the melanin that provides the natural colour to your hair. The end result is hair that is very dry, fragile, brittle, and porous. 

The best way to prevent this kind of damage is to never bleach your hair. If you have to bleach your tresses, be sure to moisturise it for a couple of weeks before the actual bleaching. 

Caring for bleach-damaged hair involves protecting it from UV rays. Wearing a hat with a wide brim or wrapping your hair with a scarf should minimise UV-related damage. You can also use almond oil to help strengthen your hair. This will rehydrate the individual hair strands.

Some hairdressers recommend using rice water for rinsing your hair. Rice water contains inositol that can help repair bleach-damaged hair. It penetrates deep into the hair shaft where it can begin the repair process.

Your hair does not need harsh chemicals for it to stay vibrant and healthy. You can nurse it back to health by moisturising it with the right products. Protecting it against further damage also helps.