Is this the end of damaged hair? The products that promise to fix your locks ASAP

THE UK’s biggest haircare concern isn’t greasiness, frizz, or finding the right colour. It’s hair damage.*

With 80% of us worried about split ends, breakage, and dullness**, it’s little wonder haircare brands are seizing the opportunity, launching hair-repair products left, right, and centre.

So, is this the end of damaged hair? Here’s everything you need to know. 

GETTYThese products promise healthier locks – fast[/caption]

The long and short of it

The truth is, it’s impossible to get through life without damaging your hair.

However, it’s crucial that you address excessive or untreated damage to avoid future hair health issues.

“Dryness, brittleness, split ends, breakage, dullness and rough texture are all hallmarks,” explains hairstylist Andrew Jose.

“Run a strand of hair through your fingers from root to tip, and you will feel the change in texture, signalling exactly where the hair is damaged,” he adds.

Unfortunately, once it grows out of your scalp, hair is dead and cannot repair itself, so you have to step in.

“Frayed fabric will keep tearing unless you cut off the damage – hair is the same – if you leave split ends, they just go further and further up the hair shaft, leaving it weak and thin,” advises hairstylist Philipp Haug.

Pointing fingers

While our daily lives can meddle with the health of our hair, several culprits put it at risk.

For example, if you’re experiencing dry or thinning hair, this could be due to exposing your hair to harsh conditions or temperatures.

“Typically, this is the result of heat styling, stripping chemicals, and over-washing,” says Andrew.

Hair dryness can contribute to the formation of split ends, and the way you handle your hair can have a lasting impact, too.

“Often we can be quite rough when combing or brushing our hair, which can lead to split ends and breakage or even traction alopecia, where repeated pulling causes hair loss, if excessive force is used,” says Ebuni Ajiduah, trichologist and natural hair stylist.

Finally, dullness and rough texture typically stem from your environment. “This usually occurs when the hair cuticle is compromised by UV exposure from the sun, pollution, or chemical damage,” says Andrew.

On the mend

Nourish your strands with this thickening shampoo and conditioner duoABSOLUTE COLLAGEN

Absolute Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner Duo, £28

Your hair will never tackle damage on its own – meaning it’s a problem that you can’t ignore – but there are plenty of ways to give it a boost.

“While they can’t ‘cure’ damage, all hair-repair products aim to add hydration, strength, smoothness, and prevention of further damage,” says trichologist Eva Proudman. But, how do they work?

“A key ingredient found in damage repair products is glycerin, which works by pulling water into the hair, giving it vital rehydration, while amino acids can provide deep conditioning by penetrating and wrapping around the hair shaft,” says Eva.

“Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, panthenol, argan oil, and ceramides are all popular ingredients, which hydrate, smooth, shine, and prevent further damage to the hair,” she adds.

The best news is that you don’t have to use them forever!

“Using the at-home repair product until you can get to the salon for a trim is a good starting point,” says Eva.

“Once the hair damage has been cut off, using a good-quality shampoo and conditioner, like Absolute Collagen Shampoo and Conditioner Duo, £28, should maintain healthy hair as long as you don’t use too much heat with styling tools or over-process with chemicals by colouring it frequently, which will leave hair looking and feeling dry,” she adds. 

Repair kit

L'ALGAThis treatment is supercharged with hyaluronic acid[/caption]

L’Alga CPR Instant Intensive Care Treatment Spray, £12

Given we’ve all got a degree of hair damage to nurse back to health, team Fabulous put the latest restorative launches to the test.

L’Alga CPR Ampoule Spray Spray, £12, is powered by hyaluronic acid and promises stronger, smoother hair after one use.

Fabulous Senior Writer Donna Smiley says: “While it was a bit of a faff to apply – you have to use the entire bottle – it left my hair feeling silky after one use, meaning it was tangle-free and easy to brush.” 

MONDAYThis budget beauty gets to work on strengthening hair[/caption]

Monday Leave-In Conditioner Repair, £5

Another Fabulous-approved option is Monday Leave-In Conditioner Repair, £5, which uses repairing keratin to nourish and jojoba oil to soften strands.

Art director Lara Cunningham says: “Despite being a leave-in product, it didn’t leave my hair greasy, and instead has made my hair feel softer and less frizzy.” 

“Bonding technology” is a buzzword that you’ll regularly see cropping up in hair-repair products, too.

These products work by penetrating the hair shaft and repairing its inner bonds, leaving hair stronger and smoother.

AVEDATry a naturally derived formula to help revive damaged locks[/caption]

Aveda Botanical Bond-Building Pre Shampoo Treatment, £39

Aveda Botanical Bond-Building Pre Shampoo Treatment, £39, instantly gets to work on repairing bonds and features a 97% naturally derived formula.

“Schwarzkopf Fibre Clinix Bondify is another new technology that creates permanent covalent bonds within the hair’s keratin that reverse up to 90% of damage, making hair 10 times stronger,” says Philipp Haug.

Philipp’s salon Haug London Haus has just launched the Hair Rehab Treatment, £35, an innovative hair smoothing and repairing service, that uses bonding technology and promises to reverse up to three years of damage in one use.

Deputy Editor Ellie O’Mahoney says: “It was a super-relaxing treatment and excellent value as an add-on. My hair felt sleeker and more manageable while the blow-dry lasted and feels a little less damaged, even after washing.” 

Healthy habits

ORIBEProtect hair from heat up to 232°C with this serum[/caption]

Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum, £31

Fed up with dry and lacklustre locks? Make Andrew’s damage-busting tips your new mantra…

Use a heat protectant before styling. We love Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum, £31 Have regular haircuts and in-salon deep conditioning treatments Switch to a microfibre towel to reduce frizz. We love Straand Woven Microfibre Hair Towel, £24 Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to prevent breakage. Try Kitsch Satin Pillowcase, £15 Avoid tight hairstyles and excessive brushing

SOURCES

**Charles Worthington

*Mintel