Think about your relationship with your hair. Do you heat style often? Do you color or lighten on the regular? Are you outside a lot without a hat or sun protection? Do you like wearing your hair in high ponytails, braids or tight updos, or do you wear extensions? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re probably damaging your hair — and you may be seeing the results staring back at you in the mirror. It’s time to assess the damage and get started on the path to healthier, happier hair.

How can I tell if my hair is damaged?
Does your hair look healthy? Is it dull, without shine? Does it respond to anything you do, or is it looking and feeling totally lifeless? That’s your hair sending “SOS!” signals.

Examine your hair strands. Do they reflect light? Is the cuticle lying flat? That means your hair is in pretty good shape. If the outer edges of your strands are flared, that’s another sign of damage.

Every time you chemically alter your hair with color, lightener or treatments like perms and straighteners, you’re changing its natural state and therefore, creating some damage. If you spend a lot of time outside, you’re exposing your hair to sun damage. Styling, whether it’s using a flat iron or pulling your hair into a too-tight ponytail, can physically damage your strands. If you live in a major city, you could be exposing your hair to environmental damage. The good news is, damage doesn’t have to be permanent. We can fix it together.

What should I do first?
The first step is admitting you’re probably not going to change your habits. Hey, we get it. If you can’t give up the hot tools, start using a protectant prep product that will give back to your hair and help strengthen it, like Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair. It not only provides moisture and strength, it protects against thermal damage up to 450 degrees and instantly makes your hair look healthier.

The second step is to get a trim! So many people tend to visit the salon only when their ends look really bad. Don’t be that person. The ends of your hair have been around the longest and are therefore the most damaged. Do an assessment; if it’s been six months or more since your last trim, get to the salon ASAP! If you’re trying to maintain a style, it’s important to remember that hair grows about a half-inch per month, so get a trim every 6-8 weeks for longer cuts and every 4-6 weeks if you’ve got a super short style. That will keep your hair looking and feeling healthier.

I can’t make it to the salon, but my split ends are really bad. What do I do?
A split end is hair that’s so incredibly damaged that you’re essentially removing the outer layer of the hair cuticle and causing it to be exposed to even more damage. Yikes! If you need an instant fix before your next trim, Damage Remedy Split End Repair “glues” your split ends together, smooths the appearance of your hair and helps new split ends from forming. It even lasts through a shampoo! Of course, this is just a quick fix, so make a point to get regular trims.

What if I need REALLY deep repair?
You can cut all your hair off and start fresh, but that’s a last resort. Visit your Aveda salon for a Botanical Therapy hair treatment to repair damage. It’ll give you the jumpstart you need to get your hair looking and feeling healthier.

At home, apply the Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment masque once a week. It provides essential elasticity and moisture to make your hair feel strong and flexible, ready for whatever looks and styles you try next.