Do you struggle with dry, brittle, and damaged hair? Hair damage is a common problem caused by several factors, including heat styling, poor nutrition, and exposure to environmental stressors.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look closer at these causes of hair damage along with the symptoms you should watch for. We’ll also look at natural remedies for restoring the health and vitality of your hair, alongside anti-hair loss treatments.
We’ll also look at solutions like moisturising and anti-hair loss treatments. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can learn how to properly care for your hair, prevent further damage, and keep your locks looking healthy and beautiful for years to come.
What is Hair Damage and What are its Causes?
Hair damage is a common issue that affects people of all ages and hair types. It occurs when the hair shaft or follicle is weakened, resulting in hair that is dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. There are several factors that can cause hair damage, and understanding these causes is essential to prevent and treat the condition:
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Heat styling
One of the most common causes of hair damage is heat styling. This includes using hot tools such as flat irons, curling irons, and hair dryers. The high temperatures generated by these tools can damage the hair shaft, leading to breakage and split ends. Studies have shown that exposure to high heat can cause changes in the structure of your hair, resulting in weaker, more brittle hair.
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Chemical treatments
Chemical treatments such as hair dyes, bleaches, and relaxers are popular ways to alter hair texture and colour but they can also cause damage to the hair. A 2018 study by researchers from the United Kingdom and New Zealand found that hair dye and bleach increase hydrogen peroxide production in hair follicles, causing damage to the hair shaft and potentially leading to hair loss.
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Poor nutrition
Studies have shown that a diet lacking vitamins, minerals and proteins can lead to hair loss and damage.
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Environmental stressors
Environmental factors such as pollution, sunlight, and humidity can also cause hair damage. Exposure to pollutants can lead to the accumulation of toxins on the scalp, which can clog hair follicles and result in hair loss. Sunlight can cause the hair to become dry and brittle, while humidity can cause frizz and breakage.
Symptoms of Hair Damage
Hair damage can manifest in various ways and it’s important to understand the symptoms, so you can identify and address the issue properly. Some common symptoms include the following:
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Split ends
When hair becomes damaged, the protective outer layer of the hair, known as the cuticle, can weaken and start to fray. This can result in the hair splitting into two or more separate strands at the end, also known as split ends.
A variety of factors, such as using hot styling tools and doing chemical treatments in excess can cause split ends.
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Fried and frizzy
If your hair looks fried and frizzy, it may be a sign of damage. Heat damage can cause the hair cuticles to become rough and uneven, resulting in a frizzy appearance. Frizzy hair is usually caused by excessive heat exposure from hair styling tools and exposure to the sun. Similarly, chemical treatments can weaken the hair strands, making them more prone to breakage and frizz.
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Dull and dry
Do you often wash your hair with hot water? Then you might also notice that your hair looks dull and dry. Overwashing your hair with hot water can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. Please note that applying hair care products containing alcohol or other drying ingredients can have the same effect.
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Tangled
When hair becomes damaged, the cuticles become rough and raised, making it easier for the hair to tangle. One of the reasons this occurs is the lack of moisture in your hair.
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Hair loss
Various factors can cause hair loss, including genetics, hormonal changes, medications, and underlying health conditions. However, hair damage can also be a contributing factor. Normally, you’ll lose up to 100 hairs per day as part of your natural hair growth cycle, but if the number exceeds that, it could mean you’re experiencing hair damage.
Hair damage weakens the hair follicles, causing them to break and fall out prematurely. Heat styling tools, like flat irons and curling irons, can also cause the same impact.
It’s important to note that hair loss is a natural part of the ageing process. As we age, our hair follicles shrink, and our hair becomes thinner and weaker. However, if you are experiencing hair loss at a younger age, it could be a sign of hair damage.
It’s necessary to mitigate hair damage and minimise its symptoms to maintain healthy hair. We’ll now share solutions you can try at home. These might not always get to the root cause of your hair problem, though, and you might need professional treatments, which we also share below.
Home Remedies
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Limit hair exposure to heat and harsh chemicals or treatments
One step you can take to deal with hair damage is limiting exposure to heat, bleach, and dyes. These products can all cause damage to your hair over time, leading to split ends, dryness, and breakage. If you must use these products, use them in moderation.
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Shampoo and condition your hair regularly
Another important step in dealing with hair damage is to shampoo and condition your hair regularly with products that contain minerals and vitamins. These nutrients can help to nourish your hair from within, promoting healthy growth and reducing damage. Look for products that contain ingredients like biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to strengthen and protect your hair.
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Consume a balanced diet
In addition to using the right products, eating a balanced diet rich in nutrients is important for healthy hair growth. Foods high in protein, vitamins, and minerals can all help nourish your hair and keep it healthy. Some foods particularly good for your hair include leafy greens, nuts and seeds, eggs, and fatty fish.
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Cover your hair
It is important to protect your hair from environment and friction damage – when you can, use a hair cover like a hat or scarf when you’re in the sun, and wear a hair wrap in bed. By taking these simple steps, you not only minimise hair damage, but you look fashionable, too!
Dealing with hair damage can be challenging and, in severe cases, natural remedies may no longer be effective. This is when you should seek professional help. Here are some treatment options we offer at TrichoLab.
Hair Treatments Available at TrichoLab
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Moringa seed oil treatment
If you want to nourish your hair and restore its natural shine, a moringa seed oil treatment may be just what you need.
Moringa seed oil is a powerful natural ingredient that offers many benefits for hair. It acts as a hydrator, moisturising dry and brittle hair and strengthening it to make it more resistant to breakage.
Furthermore, the proteins in moringa oil protect the hair from potentially damaging factors like sun heat. Moringa seed oil treatment is ideal for those with colour-treated hair that is prone to damage.
The procedure itself is broken down to several steps as follows:
● We’ll conduct a scalp analysis to determine the best treatment plan for your hair.
● We’lll then wash and condition your hair, providing a relaxing scalp massage in the process.
● Next, we’ll apply moringa seed oil spray to your hair to moisturise, strengthen, and protect it.
● After leaving the oil in for a period of time, we’ll rinse it out thoroughly.
● Finally, we’ll apply an anti-hair loss ampoule to help prevent hair breakage and promote healthier hair growth.
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Signature TCL customised restore
Another option for those with dry and damaged hair because of colour treatments is our signature TCL customised restore treatment. The treatment procedures are as follows:
● We’ll conduct a scalp analysis to determine the best treatment plan for your hair.
● We’lll then wash and condition your hair, providing a relaxing scalp massage in the process.
● Afterward, we’ll apply a cuticle sealer to protect your hair from any damage.
● After rinsing your hair, we’ll apply a customised TCL ampoule to your hair. This ampoule is tailored to address concerns such as hair damage, breakage and hair fall.
● Finally, we’ll do a post-treatment scalp scan to assess the treatment’s effectiveness and determine if any further action is needed.
The treatment promotes healthier hair by strengthening hair follicles and roots to prevent breakage, moisturising the scalp, and nourishing hair follicles. It also helps restore damaged hair, promoting hair growth and overall hair health.
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Hydra and moisture treatment
As its name suggests, our hydra and moisture treatment is intended for those who want to hydrate and moisturise their damaged hair due to colouring and other chemical treatments. The treatment includes:
● A scalp analysis.
● Washing and conditioning with a scalp massage.
● A hydrating hair mask.
● A rinse
● Applying an anti-hair loss ampoule.
All the steps mentioned above will ultimately nourish both the scalp and hair with essential vitamins and minerals, helping to maintain a healthy moisture balance. This treatment effectively treats dry strands, restoring shine to your hair.
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Caviar treatment
Who says caviar can only function as a luxury food item? Caviar is a potent hydrator and strengthener that can improve the overall health and appearance of your hair. Its main benefits include strengthening and hydrating the hair, repairing split ends, and increasing elasticity. As such, anyone with dry, dehydrated, brittle, or damaged hair can benefit from the caviar treatment.
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Microneedling for hair loss
As stated above, hair loss can occur earlier than expected if hair damage becomes too severe. So, taking preventive measures is advisable. One hair loss prevention treatment available in Singapore is microneedling.
It’s a non-surgical technique that uses a microneedling pen, that has tiny needles, to create minor injuries on the scalp. Doing so stimulates hair growth. Microneedling also enhances topical treatments for hair loss, like minoxidil.
The microneedling treatment is done in four steps:
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Scalp Analysis: A pre-treatment in-depth scan of your scalp to assess its condition and requirements
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Anti-hair loss mask & shampoo: Our series of specialised hair care designed for boosting scalp circulation
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Microneedling with hair growth formula: A formula, consisting of herbal and peptide complex and growth factors, is delivered into the follicles
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Add-Ons: From a multivitamin serum to an LED light therapy, we will give your treatment a boost where necessary for better results
It’s important to address hair damage as soon as possible, as it can occur at any stage of life for various reasons. Seeking moisturising treatments and hair loss solutions early can keep your hair healthier for longer. If you’re in Singapore and looking for treatment options, contact us.
