How to Treat Hair Damage
There are tons of products on the market that tout themselves as being able to repair damage, but before you add them to your online shopping cart, know that your treatment type depends on the type of damage you have.
"Microscopically, hair damage is the result of many things," Riley said. "Physical or mechanical exposure like combing or wearing hair accessories, exposure to high heat, [or] chemical treatments, like colour and straightening."
If your hair has been physically damaged by hot tools or chemical treatments, it can be much harder to treat because heat can remove layers of the hair cuticle. The best course of action, then, is to replenish the damage with lipids to keep your hair strong. This means using products that contain or fatty acids — palmitic acid, lauric acid, coconut fatty acid, and a handful of others — like Ouidad Curl Recovery Melt-Down Extreme Repair Mask ($44). If you're not sure if your current hair products contain these, just check the label.
You can also repair damage by keeping your hair properly conditioned with products like Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Conditioner ($4). "Conditioners can help replenish hair with lipids, like the natural oil that hair loses as it becomes damaged," Riley said. "While hair cannot be healed in the same way that skin can be, effective treatments can restore the look and feel of healthy hair."