Early signs include a noticeable change in texture - where curls no longer spring back or seem looser than usual. Increased frizz, dryness, and a straw-like texture are also common indicators. In severe cases, the hair becomes brittle and prone to breakage.
Damaged hair looks rough, dry, dull, and frizzy. It loses its natural shine because the cuticles, which give hair its sheen, have been damaged. Heat damaged curly hair may appear limp, and the curls may not hold their shape, and straight hair may not appear as polished and sleek.
Heat damage to afro hair is often permanent. The heat can break the S-S or disulfide bonds within the hair strands, which give the hair strength. Once these bonds are broken, they cannot be repaired, and the hair remains damaged.
Recovery is a nuanced process. While certain products, like Living Proof's Triple Bond Complex, can prevent further heat damage and even recover some of the fiber strength lost due to severe heat exposure, hair can't be restored to its exact pre-damage state.
Textured hair is more fragile than other hair types, and damage can present itself in many different ways, including constant dehydration or texture change, hair that feels mushy and soggy, lack of elasticity, split ends and excessive tangling, to name a few.
Yes, hair continues to grow even if it's heat-damaged.
At Home: Deep conditioning treatments are vital for restoring moisture. Look for products rich in natural oils and butters. Shea Moisture's Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque is an excellent choice for at-home care. Its rich formulation deeply nourishes and revitalizes heat-damaged hair.
Leaving coconut oil in your hair overnight is usually okay and can be very beneficial for dry or damaged hair. Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that can penetrate the hair shaft and moisturize from within.
Moderately damaged hair may start to return to its “usual self” in two to three months after using heat with caution & twice-weekly treatments, especially if you use treatments & ingredients such as jojoba oil that are specifically targeted at rebuilding your hair's protein & restoring its lipids.
Healthy afro hair is soft to the touch. When your hair is adequately hydrated and moisturised, you will feel it when you touch it. Your hair should feel nice and soft. To check this, you will want to feel your hair in it's natural state so after you have washed it and before you put any products in it.
Get Broken Ends Trimmed Off
Split ends Opens in a new tab are common when hair has been stressed out by heat styling, so is it best to cut off heat damaged ends? The simple answer is 'yes'. Your first (and most effective) course of action should be to give your client's hair a trim.
An exceptionally rich oil, macadamia oil is a popular remedy for dried-out but naturally thick hair. It is also used to fight frizz and repair heat-damaged hair. Because of this, you can apply a few drops to very thick or curly hair prior to combing to reduce snagging and tangling—and without unnecessary greasiness.
Wait for the bleach to work – Place a plastic bag over your hair and wait for around 40-60 minutes, while checking the colour once every 10 minutes. When bleaching black hair, you'll see your hair transition from its natural dark colour to orange, before finally turning light yellow.
The fastest way to fix damaged hair at home is to trim the dry, broken ends or use a leave-in conditioning treatment. Your hairdresser will also be able to provide the best advice about repairing your hair in the fastest way possible.
Washing severely damaged hair (hair with breakage, brittle ends and extreme dryness), no more than twice a week. If you can wash your damaged hair once a week without it getting too greasy, then aim for once a week. The less you wash your damaged hair, the better.