
Originally Posted by
kandie_kitten
First off, realize that you cannot repair damage. You can only fix the LOOK of damage, but the hair is still fried and is likely to break off, or the breakage will spread up the shaft.
So my first advice is to chop off as much as you can stand, to prevent the damage from spreading to the more healthy areas.
Second, if you want to minimize damage, you have to minimize using a hot iron. No heat protectant spray actually works; again, it only makes it LOOK less damaged. One or two washes later, the more damaged hair would be evident. Try not-heat methods of straightening, such as jumbo velcro rollers in damp hair. A heavy deep conditioning treatment can minimize frizz as well. If you feel you HAVE to use an iron, try not to use it more than once a week. Also, use it ont he highest heat setting, and small sections at a time, so the hair is only exposed for a very brief moment to heat. To extend the straightened hair, use a dry shampoo...that way, you wont have to shampoo/dry/straighten all over again.
I would shampoo minimally. I shampoo no more than once a week, and only let my hair get fully wet 2 or 3 times a week. Those other two times I use only a deep conditioner. Your hair, particularly very damaged hair, needs the oils your scalp produces to moisturize properly; shampoo strips those oils and dries out the strands.
If your hair is extremely damaged, feels dry or gummy, too much protein will actually make your hair break. I recommend using Aphogee Keratin Reconstructor once a week (I don't shampoo before, I soak my hair, towel dry it, then coat my hair is Aphogee. Then I cover my head with a shower cap, and sit in a hot bath and let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then rinse)
For the other washing/conditioning, I use TIGI's Dumb Blonde shampoo and conditioner (you can double the conditioner as a mask by leaving it on for about 10 minutes).
Redken's Anti-Snap is an excellent leave in conditioner that I used daily when my hair is damaged.
Also do not overly brush. I use a wide tooth wooden comb twice a day, and only enough strokes that my hair is detangled. Too much brushing rips and breaks the hair.
And to maintain your blond, amke sure only your roots are touched up. No bleach/color should be pulled through the length.
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