What Does Damaged Hair Look Like? Common Signs

Dull, dry, brittle, frizzy. If this sounds like your hair, you might be dealing with damage. But what does damaged hair look like?

Damaged hair is more prone to breakage, leaving it thinner, duller, and less health-looking. It might feel rough or dry, with more frizz, split ends, and maybe even a “crunchy” texture. 

In this guide, we’ll cover how to spot signs of damage, what causes it, and how to tell the difference between damaged hair and hair loss (which may require treatment). Most importantly, we’ll share tips to help repair and prevent further damage, so you bring back its shine and thickness.

Damaged hair can look different on everyone. It can vary depending on the kind of damage (e.g., sun damage vs. chemical damage), your hair type (curly vs. straight), and how severe the damage is. You might also have more than one type of damage.

Here are some telltale signs of damaged hair to look out for: 

• Frizzy hair. Hair isn’t as smooth as it used to be. You might also notice more flyaway hairs.

• Dry, rough hair. Your hair might feel rough, coarse, crunchy, or straw-like. Basically, anything but soft and smooth. 

• Brittle hair. You might notice your hair is fragile, brittle, and feels thinner. You might be able to see snapped-off strands, notice breakage when you style your hair, or feel like you’ve got less hair in general. 

• Hair that tangles easily. It might be hard to comb and style your hair because it’s full of knots. 

• Split ends. The ends of your hair take most of the damage, leading to split ends. Hair can look frayed, split in two, and potentially uneven. Keep an eye out for split ends up high up in your hair, too.

• Dull hair. Hair can appear dull and lifeless, like it’s lost its shine.

• Excessive hair breakage. Damaged hair is more prone to breakage. What does hair breakage look like? Look for snapped-off strands, split ends, and unevenness. When your hair breaks and falls out, it may look like hair loss or hair shedding, but it’s actually a result of fragility, not loss from the root.

• Hair that feels weak, stretchy, or gummy when wet. This is a sign of severe damage.

• Color treatments fade quickly. If you bleach or dye your hair, you might notice your color fades faster than it should and appears dull, lifeless, or brassy. 

Fun fact: The hair you see on your head is actually dead. The living part hides beneath your skin. So, when people talk about having “dead hair,” what they really mean is damaged hair — dryness, brittleness, and frizziness. 

Many things can damage your hair and leave it looking unhealthy, including: 

• UV sun exposure

• Chemical treatments like bleaching, dying, or perming  

• Air pollution 

• Aggressive brushing

• Excessive heat styling with straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers 

• Being rough with your hair when styling or drying with a towel  

• Frequent wearing tight hairstyles like tight ponytails, buns, or cornrows (these can cause traction alopecia) 

• Using harsh hair products that strip away natural oils or hold hair in place

• Nutritional deficiencies like iron, zinc, biotin

Now you know what damaged hair looks like and what causes it, you’re probably wondering how to prevent further damage and how to fix it. 

We’ve got you (and your hair) covered.

1. Use a Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner

While some folks are proponents of the no-poo movement, there isn’t strong evidence to indicate that washing your hair regularly can lead to damage. 

Dry hair is more prone to damage, which is why keeping it hydrated is essential. Use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to keep your hair hydrated and promote elasticity. Look for formulations that suit your hair type. For example, what’s best for curly hair might not suit straight hair.

Overwhelmed by your options? Our volumizing shampoo and conditioner can help restore life to limp, thin hair. Or, try our hair loss shampoo and conditioner to reduce excess hair shedding.

If your hair feels especially parched, steer clear of deep cleaning or clarifying shampoos, especially ones containing sulfates. Although these products can get rid of buildup, they may strip your scalp and hair of natural oils.

2. Use Nourishing Hair Treatments

On top of your regular wash routine, try adding a hydrating hair treatment, like a moisturizing hair mask, to curb dullness and dryness.

Again, opt for treatments that suit your hair type.

If your hair tangles easily, a leave-in conditioner can make it easier to detangle strands without breaking or damaging your hair. (Don’t forget to use a wide-toothed comb and be super gentle.)

Prefer all-natural hair products? One study suggests regular use of coconut oil, which seems to penetrate the hair shaft better than other oils, may help prevent hair breakage. It can also give your hair some natural shine.

3. Be Extra Gentle on Wet Hair

When you’re fresh out of the shower, are you vigorously rubbing your wet hair with a towel? That habit could be contributing to damaged strands.

Rather than rough rubbing, wrap your head in a microfiber towel to minimize friction. Try to pat it dry and let it air-dry, if possible.

Additionally, wet hair is extra prone to breakage, so avoid going to bed with wet hair — the friction of your head against a pillowcase can cause further damage. A silk or satin pillowcase may help reduce friction and breakage at night. 

Try to also avoid detangling your hair while it's wet. Give your hair a few minutes to dry in your towel wrap and then gently use a wide-toothed comb to detangle.

And even when dry, be gentle with your hair and avoid pulling, twisting, or wearing tight hairstyles too often.

4. Turn Down the Heat

Whether you’re blow drying, curling, flat ironing your hair, be mindful of the temperature setting on your styling tools.

Research indicates high heat can damage the hair shaft, with one study showing that a blow dryer causes more surface damage than natural drying.

If you need to use a hair dryer, try to keep it approximately six inches away from your hair.  Evidence shows that using a hair dryer at this safe distance with continuous movement actually causes less damage than drying hair naturally. 

Avoid the highest heat setting and spritz on a heat protectant prior to drying to help protect strands against heat damage.

And don’t forget to protect your hair from the sun. Hair care products with UV filters (like a leave-in conditioner with zinc oxide), hats, and sunscreen can help prevent sun damage — and scalp sunburns. 

5. Get Regular Trims

Trimming your hair regularly is a great way to get rid of split ends.

Whether you’re visiting a hairstylist or doing a DIY job, it’s a good idea to give your hair a trim every six to 12 weeks, though the ideal frequency might depend on your hair type and the extent of your damage.

And, if you’re brave enough to cut your hair at home, be sure to use sharp hairstylist’s scissors. Blunt scissors can actually damage your hair further.

6. Avoid (or Minimize) Harsh Chemical Treatments

We get it — it can be fun to experiment with hair treatments like perms and hair dye. Unfortunately, they can wreak havoc on your hair cuticles, leading to further damage.

Try to avoid or reduce your use of harsh chemical treatments, including:

• Perms

• Relaxers

• Hair dye and bleach

If you’re going to use chemical treatments, try to wait at least eight to 10 weeks between treatments to avoid excessive hair damage. 

Also, use nourishing treatments — like masks and conditioners — to promote hair health in between your appointments.

Learn more about how to repair chemically damaged hair.

7. Eat the Rainbow

Strong hair starts on your plate. Your body needs certain nutrients to support healthy hair growth, including:

• Protein

• Iron

• Vitamins A to E

• Omega 3

• Zinc

• Biotin 

The best way to get these nutrients? A healthy, balanced diet filled with a variety of nutrient-rich foods. Think: loads of veggies, quality meat sources, nuts, and legumes.

You may have heard about hair supplements that contain biotin. Many foods naturally contain biotin, so if you eat a balanced diet, you’re probably covered. But if you’re a picky eater and dealing with hair breakage, thinning hair, or brittle nails, a biotin supplement could help.

Read more about foods to eat for healthier hair.

8. Try Hair Growth Treatments

Damaged hair can look thinner due to breakage, but that’s different from actual hair loss. If you’re seeing more than just split ends — like noticeable thinning or a smaller ponytail — it might be time to consider hair loss treatments. 

Here are some effective, research-backed options:

• Topical minoxidil. Topical minoxidil comes in spray, foam, and liquid formulations. It’s FDA-approved for androgenetic alopecia (female pattern hair loss) and doctors also prescribe it off-label for other types of hair loss. Experts believe it works by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles and speeding up their transition into the anagen (growth) phase of the hair cycle. This promotes faster, more effective hair growth. 

• Oral minoxidil. Oral minoxidil is a once-a-day pill for those who may not want to change up their hair styling routine. We also offer hair vitamins and minoxidil in one convenient pill or chew. 

• Topical finasteride. Finasteride blocks dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone involved in female pattern hair loss. We offer a topical finasteride and minoxidil spray for postmenopausal women experiencing female pattern hair loss that may be worsened by hormonal changes.

• Spironolactone. This once-daily pill can be helpful in treating female hair loss and promoting new hair growth. Spironolactone blocks androgen (male hormone) production, which, in turn, decreases the amount of DHT in your body.

If you suspect you’re dealing with actual hair loss instead of just some broken strands, read our guide to hair loss in women to learn more about your treatment options.

Most people experience hair damage at some point. But that doesn’t make it any less frustrating to deal with. 

Here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know about damaged hair:

• Hair damage can show up in many ways. Look out for broken hairs, split ends, frizz, dryness, texture changes, dullness, and brittle hair that breaks and tangles easily.

• Many factors cause hair damage. Damage can happen due to various factors, like chemical damage, sun exposure, heat styling, aggressive handling, and tight hairstyles.

• Hair damage is reversible. Moisturizing hair care products, regular trims, and healthy hair care habits can help restore your strands and prevent further damage. 

If you’re concerned about hair loss or hair thinning as part of hair damage, check out our range of hair loss treatments, including minoxidil and hair supplements.