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Thicker, fuller hair you'll love
When you look in the mirror, and see hair that’s dry and frizzy, does this mean it's damaged? And if not, what does damaged hair look like?
Damaged hair is more prone to breakage, which can make your hair look thinner and less healthy. Plus, it might feel a little crunchy and dry to the touch.
In this article, we’ll cover how to tell if your hair is damaged. We’ll also explore the causes, and help you tell the difference between damaged hair and hair loss (which might require treatment).
Most importantly, we’ll uncover tips for managing damaged hair and preventing further damage, so that you can have the healthy, luscious, strong hair of your dreams!
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If you’ve been staring at the ends of your hair and wondering if those chemical treatments are damaging your hair, we’re here to help.
Some common signs of hair damage include:
Frizzy hair
Hair that tangles easily
Split ends high up on hair
Dull, dry hair
Excessive hair breakage
Hair that feels crunchy or straw-like
More flyaway hair than usual
Damaged hair is more prone to breakage — and when your hair breaks and falls out, it may resemble hair loss, though it’s actually related to fragility rather than loss from the root.
Now you know what damaged hair looks like, you’re probably wondering how to prevent further damage and restore your dull, dry hair to its former glory. We’ve got your back (and hair)!
Dry hair is more prone to damage, which is why keeping it hydrated is essential. Moreover, damaged hair tends to be as thirsty as an Instagram “model.” Use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to restore hydration and elasticity to your strands. Look for formulations that suit your hair type — what’s best for curly hair, for example, might not suit straight hair.
Not sure which hair care products to choose? Our volumizing shampoo and conditioner can help bring some life to limp, thin hair. You could also 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 those that contain sulfates. Although these products can get rid of buildup, they may strip too many natural oils from your hair.
And 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.
In addition to your regular wash day routine, you can add in some hydrating hair treatments to restore the health of your hair. These can be great for curbing dullness and dryness.
Consider using a moisturizing hair mask or a deep conditioning treatment every once in a while. 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 demonstrated regular use of coconut oil, which seems to penetrate the hair shaft better than other oils, can help prevent hair breakage. It can also give your hair some natural shine.
When you’re fresh out of the shower, are you vigorously rubbing your wet hair with a towel? May we recommend you to take that aggression out in a boxing class — not on your hair 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.
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.
And while you’re at it, please don’t detangle hair while it's wet. Give your hair a few minutes to dry in your towel wrap and then gently (keyword here is “gently”) rake a wide-toothed comb through strands to detangle.
Whether you’re blow drying your hair or styling it with a curling iron or flat iron, it’s time to crank down the temp on your hot tools.
Research indicates that 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. Avoid the highest heat setting and spritz on a heat protectant prior to drying to help protect strands against heat damage.
Heat styling tools are not the only heat source you need to be wary of — excessive sun can damage hair, too. We love a good beach day as much as the next person, but it’s important to take care. Just as UV rays can damage skin, they can also mess with our strands.
There’s evidence that protecting the hair cuticle (the outermost layer of hair) is very important for keeping the hair shaft’s integrity. To protect your hair, apply hair care products with UV filters when you're kicking it outside.
Trimming your hair regularly is a great way to get rid of split ends.
Whether you’re visiting a hair stylist or doing a DIY job, it’s a good idea to give your hair a trim every 6 to 12 weeks, although this might depend on your hair type and the extent of your damage.
And, if you are brave enough to cut your hair at home, be sure to use a sharp hair stylist’s scissors. Blunt scissors can damage your hair further.
If you’re not sure how often to cut your hair, consider speaking with a hair stylist.
We get it — hair treatments like perms and hair color can be super fun to play around with, especially if you enjoy changing up your look often. 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 a while 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 repairing chemically damaged hair.
Strong hair starts on your plate! Your body needs certain nutrients to produce healthy hair and support the follicles that grow it.
These nutrients include:
Protein
Iron
Vitamins A to E
Omega 3
Zinc
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 have a balanced diet, you’re probably covered. But if you’re a picky eater and dealing with hair breakage, thinning hair, or brittle nails, you may be interested in taking a biotin supplement.
Read more about foods to eat for healthier hair.
While damaged hair can give the appearance of thinning due to breakage, it's important to distinguish between hair breakage and actual hair loss. If you're noticing more than just split ends and broken strands—such as significant thinning, or a ponytail that’s less full—hair loss treatments might be worth exploring.
Here’s the breakdown of different options to stop hair loss and promote regrowth:
Minoxidil drops. This topical solution contains 2% minoxidil. One of the most studied and effective hair loss treatments. Minoxidil is believed to work by increasing blood flow to the hair follicles and speeding up the transition of the follicles into the anagen, or growth, phase of the hair cycle. This promotes faster, more effective hair growth.
Oral minoxidil. This once-a-day pill is a convenient option for those who may not want to change up their hair styling routine.
Topical finasteride spray. Finasteride blocks DHT — a hormone linked to 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 antiandrogen pill can also be helpful in treating female hair loss and promoting new hair growth. A prescription medication, spironolactone blocks androgen production, which, in turn, decreases the amount of DHT (the hormone that causes hair follicles to produce thinner, weaker hairs) 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 everything from the root causes to additional treatment options.
Most of us experience hair damage at some point. Still, it can be super frustrating to deal with dry hair, frizz, and breakage.
Here’s a quick rundown of what we learned about damaged hair:
The signs of damaged hair include obvious broken hairs, split ends, frizz, and dull hair.
Many factors cause hair damage. Damage can be caused by various factors, like chemical damage, sun damage, heat styling, and aggressive handling.
Managing damaged hair. Try moisturizing hair care products, get regular trims, and avoid heat styling. Healthy hair habits can help restore your strands and prevent further damage. Over time, a gentle hair care routine will pay off — and your mane will thank you for it!
If you’re concerned about hair loss or hair thinning connect with a healthcare provider today to understand the root cause of any loss, and what is the appropriate treatment.
Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references. See a mistake? Let us know at [email protected]!
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Addie Ganik is a board-certified dermatologist and a Medical Advisor for Hims & Hers. Prior to joining Hims & Hers, Dr. Ganik worked in digital health at Ro, where she focused on dermatology offerings, medical review, and patient education. In her clinical career, Dr. Ganik has practiced dermatology in both hospital and private practice settings. She has also contributed to several publications in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national conferences.
Dr. Ganik received her Bachelor of Science degree from SUNY Stony Brook, graduating summa cum laude. She received her M.D. from New York University School of Medicine and did her dermatology residency at New York University Medical Center Skin and Cancer Unit. Dr. Ganik also completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology at The Rockefeller University, where she conducted research on psoriasis.
Dr. Ganik is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and she is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Dr. Ganik lives in New York and enjoys traveling, cooking, reading, and repurposing flea market finds. You can find Dr. Ganik on LinkedIn for more information.