Damaged hair? Don’t worry – experts share their go

The term “damaged” can sound quite intimidating. We all put our hair through a lot as we experiment with various heat styling methods, products, and tools. Furthermore, as we age, hair often begins to feel drier and loses its natural luster as it transitions into gray.

However, just because you may need to develop a personalized hair care regimen for the first time doesn’t mean the process has to be overwhelming. To get started, it is helpful to familiarize yourself with the top ingredients that can revitalize dry, lifeless hair and those that can help repair existing damage.

In addition to a consistent hair care routine, there are extra steps like using hair masks and leave-in conditioners that can further assist the process. To discover everything you need to know about reviving dry, damaged, or aging hair, we consulted several experts who shared the routines they recommend to their clients, their favorite products, and more.

What does damaged hair look like?

Hairstylists Rachel Lita and Lauren Clark identify the following as common physical indicators of hair damage: split ends, frizz, changes in texture (such as hair shifting from soft to straw-like and coarse), thinning, and loss of length due to breakage from frequent updos.

Best products for damaged hair, according to experts

Gentle, silky scrunchies: Kitsch Satin Sleep Scrunchies

Lita recommends these soft scrunchies from Kitsch. This five-piece set is also available in various other colors and pack combinations.

Smooth sleeping surface: Zimasilk Silk Pillowcase

Lita also highlighted the importance of sleeping on silk pillowcases. This Amazon option comes in 30 colors and boasts over 33,000 verified five-star ratings. One user noted that it helped reduce breakage and remains durable through multiple washes.

Great for dandruff management: dpHue Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub

Clark also favors this apple cider vinegar scalp scrub from dpHue, which is formulated with pink Himalayan sea salt. She uses it personally to manage dandruff and reports that the scrub is highly effective.

Works for “weeks on end”: Amika The Kure Intense Repair Mask

Lita used this hair mask herself after dealing with damage and says it helped restore her hair.

“With masks, it’s a temporary fix but what I really like about the Amika one is that I feel like even if I don’t use it. […] It keeps your hair soft for weeks on end,” she says. “I feel like it’s actually doing what it needs to do rather than just being a silicone covering over your hair for a temporary fix.”

Vegan duo: Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo and Conditioner Kit

Clark prefers Vegamour because it is “totally vegan, plant-based and organic,” she says. Introduced to the brand by her grandmother, she appreciates their focus on rebuilding the strength and health of both the hair and scalp.

Best for aging hair: Living proof Triple Bond Complex Leave-In Treatment and Hair Mask

Stanley Nolan, a cosmetologist and beauty education specialist, recommends this strengthener to help diminish visible signs of damage in aging hair. The amount of product required depends on your hair’s length and thickness. For instance, those with short, fine hair should use two pumps, while those with thick, coarse, and long hair may need six or more pumps to coat their strands evenly.

Jess Bender, a senior editor at Shop TODAY, also recommends this product. She says, “I don’t often use heated styling products beyond when I’m going to a heavy-duty workout or swimming or the spa, so this bonding treatment resides in my gym bag for when I want my hair to look super spiffy in a jiffy. (Sorry for the rhyme!) The way a small amount — just about a nickel’s amount — this smooths out and shines my locks while mending breakage, frizz and other effects of chlorine, humidity or heat are seriously unmatched.”

Splurge-worthy for aging hair: Alterna Ca

This shampoo and conditioner duo is infused with omega-3s that help restore the hair’s lipid layer. Experts have recommended this set as a powerful duo for aging hair, and it is a favorite for providing daily protection against damage.

Best products for damaged hair, according to editors

Condition and cleanse: Drunk Elephant Laini Latherless™ Conditioning Co-Cleanser

Bender also suggests this conditioning co-wash, noting, “Whenever I need to give my tresses and scalp a bit of a reset, I like to rely on a co-cleanser like this one. It’s loaded with ingredients that defrizz and conditions without weighing down, making my hair feel nearly as soft as it would when I would get it professionally washed.”

For stronger, silky hair: Kérastase Resistance Strengthening Hair Mask for Damaged Hair

Vivien Moon, an editor at Shop TODAY, says, “This is one of the few products that I used until the last drop and was sad to finish. Whenever my hair needed a bit of TLC, I would reach for this mask and would notice and improvement immediately. I have thin, dry (ends) hair that is damaged from years of heat and dyes so this mask always makes my hair silky smooth.”

Tips for avoiding and managing damaged hair

Both stylists offer several suggestions to help you prevent or manage hair damage.

First, Clark suggests letting your hair be. If you are spending the day or a few days at home, leave it alone. Avoid brushing it or pulling it into tight styles—a tip Lita agrees with. If you must go to work, she suggests using a conditioning treatment, washing it, and securing it in a bun with a silk scrunchie for the week. If you choose to use a flat iron, apply heat only on work days and keep your hot tools unplugged during the weekend.

“The less you brush, the less you touch, the less you fidget with your hair, the more it’s gonna grow,” she says.

If you do need to brush your hair, do so with intention.

“If you’re brushing it out before you shampoo because you want to get the tangles out, that’s good,” Clark notes. “But just blindly, mindlessly brushing your hair throughout the day is one of the worst things you can do to your hair.”

She also mentions that if you hear snapping sounds while brushing, it is a clear sign that you should either be gentler, stop brushing, or consider getting a haircut. However, this also varies by hair texture.

“With finer hair, it might be more of a cause for concern than it would typically be for thicker hair,” she adds.

Regardless of your hair type, Lita recommends getting trims every six to eight weeks and using a silk pillowcase to minimize damage.

“When you have cotton sheets, the way cotton is woven, your hair actually can get caught between the weaving and it pulls on it. When you’re sleeping, you’re tossing around, turning. Your hair can get caught [and] interwoven in the fibers,” she says. “You’re turning, you pull too hard, you’re pulling out a couple of hairs at a time. Depending on the cotton, it can be a little more rough. Whereas silk, it just glides. There’s no holes in it. And if there are, they’re miniscule.”

Finally, both stylists encourage investing in high-quality products for the best results. Clark is a strong advocate for using professional-grade items. She acknowledges that budgets and lifestyles vary, but if you can afford it, investing in premium hair products is worthwhile; she suggests checking the professional section at stores like Ulta. If you cannot consistently afford high-end items, she suggests purchasing them occasionally and alternating them with your regular products to maximize value.

The best ingredients for damaged hair

To simplify your routine, hairstylist Rogerio Cavalcante advises looking for products containing keratin, amino acids, hydrolyzed proteins, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, argan oil, and panthenol.

These components help restore lost moisture, hydrate, and strengthen the hair, he adds. Be sure to “avoid harsh sulfates and alcohols that can strip moisture.”

Ingredients to avoid for damaged hair

Clark advises against any products containing ingredients with the suffix “-cone,” as this indicates a silicone base. While dimethicone is common and can help tame surface frizz, she notes that it does not actually improve hair health.

“It basically coats the hair cuticle and disallows water to penetrate so your hair becomes brittle. If you use those products over and over and over again, it kind of makes your hair drier,” she warns.

Lita recommends avoiding coconut oil, describing it as “extremely drying.” If you prefer using an oil, she suggests opting for olive or almond oil instead. She also notes that shampoos containing dyes to maintain color can be “extremely drying and not color safe.” Instead, she suggests adding color dye to your conditioner and applying it that way.

Both Cavalcante and Nolan agree that you can repair damaged hair to a certain degree. “While you can’t ‘restore’ hair to its original state, consistent care with repairing products, regular trims, and protective styling can significantly improve its health and appearance,” explains Cavalcante.

Clark notes that damage levels vary based on hair texture. As someone with coarser, textured hair, she says her threshold for potential damage is higher than someone with fine hair.

“[Fine hair] can’t handle much wear and tear,” she adds. While she and Lita both agree that regular hair dye isn’t as damaging as many believe, Clark specifically warns that over-highlighting fine hair is a frequent cause of breakage.

Lita similarly identifies bleaching as a common culprit for breakage, adding that overexposure to the sun is also a significant factor.

“There are sprays that are like sunscreen for the hair because, just like how your skin can get burned, it’s the same thing for your hair,” she says.

Both stylists also highlight damage caused by heat styling tools. Temperature is critical, and Lita notes that damage occurs if tools are too hot or if a proper heat protectant isn’t used. For those with fine hair, Clark suggests limiting blow drying or heat styling to about once per week.

Both stylists also note that lifestyle habits can lead to damage, such as excessive brushing, wearing hair tied too tightly, or frequently wearing hats, which can prevent the scalp from breathing.

Before selecting the best products for damaged hair, the Shop TODAY team consulted various hair care professionals, including hairstylists and a beauty education specialist. We also included several products recommended by our editors.

Lauren Clark is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist.

Rachel Lita is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist.

Stanley Nolan is a cosmetologist and beauty education specialist at Ogle School.

Rogerio Cavalcante is a hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York City.