Damaged hair is an all-too-common issue so many of us face. Whether you’ve over curled, bleached or singed your strands, every product you use can either aid hair health or add to the damage.
Split ends, extra frizz and even stunted growth are all signs of unhealthy hair and, if not caught early on, can snowball to result in an untameable mane of dull, matted strands that leave you feeling lost for what to do.
So, catching the warning signs early and making simple swaps to your hair routine can make a huge difference – starting with the basics.
Shampoo is often the first product to be overlooked in any hair care routine, despite often being used the most. Although you wash it out after only a minute or two, certain shampoos can strip the hair of all-important natural oils, exacerbating dryness and leading to even more damage no matter how many conditioners, oils and serums you add afterwards.
And when it comes to damaged hair, it becomes one of the most important products to get right in order to cleanse without adding to any current issues.
How to tell if your hair is damaged
You’ll probably be the first to know if your hair is damaged. Whether you’ve curled or straightened it without using heat protection spray, aren’t properly drying it or are just finding more and more knots, split ends and breakages, you’ll start to spot the signs quite quickly.
Of course, there are many ways in which we can knowingly damage our hair. Not protecting from heat styling is one of the most common, followed by over bleaching, over-washing and also using too much dry shampoo – all of which you’re likely to be aware of doing.
But, you could also be damaging your hair without even realising it, from sun exposure, pollution, constantly tying it back, a poor hair care routine or even stress and lifestyle choices.
Keeping an eye out for the key indicators and giving your locks some extra TLC is always a good idea.
What shampoos should you avoid for damaged hair?
Contrary to popular belief, the more foamy cleansing products are, this does not mean they are better at cleaning. In fact, a large number of companies add potentially harmful ingredients just to get this foam, so you feel like you’ve had a deeper clean when in fact, you’ve just added to scalp build up and possibly stripped your hair of a lot of goodness.
Other harmful ingredients can be added for scents or to extend a product’s lifespan too, and can cause anything from skin irritation to dryness.
Key shampoo ingredients to have on your radar include the below, and while I’m not saying you must avoid all of these completely, it’s good to have them in mind when scanning ingredient lists so you can flag what is in the product and make your own judgement.
For more information on each one, Healthline has a great explainer on just why they are so harmful in shampoo.
● Sulfates: Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
● Formaldehyde: Quaternium-15, diazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin, bronopol and imidazolidinyl urea
● Parabens: Methylparaben and propylparaben
● Phthalates: A wide range of phthalates can be seen in shampoo ingredient lists but all should have the word phthalate in there somewhere, making them easy to spot
Which ingredients are good for damaged hair?
When looking to heal damaged hair, nutrient rich, nourishing and moisturising ingredients will go a long way toward strengthening strands.
Some of my favourite shampoos below include ingredients such as sea moss, amino acids, coconut oil, jojoba oil and vitamins B7 and B5 to help reinforce hair bonds, smooth frizz and hydrate.
The best shampoos for damaged hair
Want to know which shampoo will really help repair your hair? Read on…
We Are Paradoxx Repair Shampoo, £18
I’ve been following the Paradoxx brand since it launched and have never been disappointed with a single one of its products, which is quite the bold claim. With no parabens, sulphates, PEGs or mineral oil included in any product and all ingredients sourced sustainably and locally where possible, it really has made waves in the beauty industry.
Made from 98% natural ingredients with Irish carrageen moss as the star of the show, this fortifies hair fibres, strengthens bonds and tames frizz for a cleanse that doesn’t strip any moisture.
Noughty Care Taker Unscented Shampoo, £6.99
Bisabolol (an ingredient from the camomile plant), oatmeal extract and wheat amino acids make up the foundation of this shampoo. Made from 97% natural ingredients, it works to soothe irritated scalps and aid hair growth. After all, a healthy scalp is the basis of healthy hair, so it can’t be overlooked.
Champo Vata Hydrating Shampoo, £18.50
Free from SLS, Parabens, Silicones, Synthetic fragrance, DEAs, MEAs, TEAs,GMOs and artificial colour – quite the long list – this shampoo is again made from 98% naturally derived ingredients, working with your hair, not against it.
The brand emphasises that less is definitely more, so be sure to use sparingly and build up as needed. Coconut and Amla fruit are core moisturising ingredients. while macadamia seed oil adds shine and essential oils bring the fragrance. It’s suitable for textured hair, coloured and treated hair, making it a great all-rounder for dry, damaged hair.
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, £26
Possibly the most famous shampoo for damaged hair, Olaplex has featured on many a bathroom shelf in recent years, racking up some hardcore fans.
Using patented technology, it cleverly re-links broken hair bonds, strengthens dry, brittle and breakage-prone strands and reinforces the hair structure for longer-lasting protection, while also giving a deep clean.
Neals Yard Nourishing Lavender Shampoo, £7.95
Proving my point about the foaming situation, this shampoo has a very low lather. Organic jojoba and calendula flower cleanse the hair and scalp while providing nourishing ingredients to help lock in moisture and promote shine.
The brand gives a top tip of not using hot water when washing and says to run hair under cold water after rinsing to close the hair shaft (resulting in more shine) and constrict the sebaceous glands to help moderate sebum production. It’s a great piece of advice, so feel free to use it with any shampoo.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo For Damaged Hair, £32
Dubbed a shampoo and hair mask in one, this product is intensely hydrating. Algae extract, panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), biotin (vitamin B7), and rose oil nourish, strengthen and hydrate without stripping colour or moisture from the hair.
Although it does have some similar properties to a hair mask or conditioner, it’s best to still use one to give damaged hair that extra boost.
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