How to Fix Damaged Hair: 11 Secrets Stylists Swear By

When it comes to your wash routine, finding a shampoo and conditioner that focuses on repairing and strengthening your strands is key. To do this, our experts suggest taking a closer look at the ingredients' list. "Certain ingredients are very strong detergents and strip the oils from your hair. These cleaning agents are so harsh they can damage the hair, make it brittle and increase frizz. They can also cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin," says Clark. All the pros we interviewed for this story recommend steering clear of ingredients like sulfates, mineral oil, parabens, alcohols, fragrances and silicones in your collection.

Your styling routine is just as important as your wash routine. The stylists recommend adding a hair serum or oil to your lineup to help seal split ends and boost shine. "It helps to hydrate, seal and smooth the hair cuticle, which is important when correcting damaged hair," says Clark, who adds that it's best to dispense a few drops of oil onto your hands before distributing it throughout the mid-lengths and ends, and brushing through to make sure you get good coverage without overdoing it.

Bond-repairing hair treatments are always the way to go when you need to give your tresses some much needed love. "Bond-repairing hair treatments can offer results for chemically and thermally damaged hair as they can penetrate the hair shaft and repair broken bonds from within," says Caspara. The stylist recommends doing a treatment bi-weekly or once a month to maintain hair health without overusing it. Note: Those with fine or thin hair should avoid using these treatments as their hair might be more porous and absorb too much of the product, cautions Caspara.

Scalp care is essential to building up stronger strands. "It's so important to remember that healthy hair starts at the scalp. Adding a scalp treatment to your weekly routine ensures your hair grows healthy and strong," says Reavey. Whether you prefer a scalp scrub, serum or mask, these treatments can exfoliate the scalp, remove dirt and grime and encourage hair growth. Reavey suggests using your treatment of choice once a week and letting the product sit on the scalp for 15 to 20 minutes for the best results.

If you've ever wondered if you should double-shampoo in the shower, the experts are here to tell you that you should definitely consider it. "It's actually a myth that you shouldn’t wash your hair too often. There is no [scientific] evidence to show that shampooing damages the hair, and actually there have been studies that show the opposite," says Reavey. "I recommend double cleansing since the first cleanse removes product buildup while the second wash cleanses the scalp."

This might seem like a no brainer, but the way you detangle your locks can play a big role in preventing damaged strands later. "I like to start by finger combing the strands, and then using a wide tooth comb or brush at the tips, before slowly working my way up to the scalp to avoid breakage," explains Redway. She also recommends detangling your hair while it's still wet and coated in conditioner or leave-in to prevent snagging.

As mentioned, heat tools are often the main culprit of hair damage. "One mistake that accelerates hair damage is using your hot tool on the highest setting the day after you’ve styled your hair in order to refresh it. Re-curling or attempting to re-smooth your hair on day two or three does not yield the same results as day one, and only further damages your already vulnerable hair," says Caspara.

However, our pros found a solution to limit your usage: heatless styles. For fine, wavy or straight hair, Caspara recommends a loose bun and French hair pins as "both can protect your style and you won't have to redo it the next day." For those with thick and/or natural hair, Redway suggests pin curls or wrapping up your silk press to preserve the style.

This tip is specifically for those who love rocking tight ponytails and/or protective styles. Hill recommends easing off on some of your fave styles every once in a while. "From too tight ponytails to cornrows, these hairstyles can put excess tension on the hair. You want to avoid putting too much tension on the same area of your hair day in and day out. Try wearing a high ponytail one day and maybe a low pony the next," she says. As for protective styles, Redway suggests swapping traditional box braids for knotless ones.

Redway recommends incorporating more silk/satin accessories to your collection as the fabric helps minimize breakage and frizz in the long run. "Friction can prevent you from achieving healthy-looking hair. By sleeping on harsh fabrics or using elastic hair accessories, you can split the cuticle, which is the outer layer of your strand," she explains. "These small tears result in hair appearing flat and dry, so invest in silk or satin pillowcases, bonnets and scrunchies to reduce breakage."

One way to remove damaged ends and aid hair growth is to keep up with trims. "I recommend trimming your hair every 12 weeks. A healthy trim will remove the damaged, thinned strands and give your hair a refresh," says Reavey. Sticking to this plan can help get rid of split ends and reduce the chances of breakage.

We're always talking about haircare products and heat tools, but have you ever considered your brush can be causing more harm than good to your locks? "You might want to rethink the brush you use to blow dry your hair. One that isn’t gentle enough can inflame the scalp and cause hair breakage," cautions Hill. Instead, she suggests using a boar bristle brush (or one that has a mix of plastic and boar bristles ) and stay away from metal brushes as they can be too abrasive to your scalp and hair.