Easy Fixes For Fried Hair

Introduction

Summertime brings lots of dangers besides nasty sunburns. Most people don't realize hair can burn just as easily as skin or scalps.

When hair is damaged, the cuticle is forced open causing hair to become severely damaged or fried. Fried hair can also result from logging too much time in the salt water filled ocean or chlorine pools.

Luckily there are some easy fixes for fried hair.

What are the most common symptoms of fried hair:

1. Split ends 2. Overall or general breakage 3. Uncontrollable frizz 4. Over porous tresses that feel spongy 5. Dry, straw-like texture 6. Lack of shine 7. Difficult to manage 8. All of the above

Men, women of all ages, races and ethnicities and children are all equally susceptible to fried hair.

Main Causes of Fried Hair

Other common causes of fried hair include:

A. Improper washing, drying and styling. B. Chemical treatment (hair color, bleach, relaxers, straighteners or similar) damage. C. Excessive or improper use of some styling products. D. Overexposure to sun, wind, environmental toxins. E. Heat styling tools (hot rollers, blow dryers, hot irons). F. Faulty hair styling tools (sharp edged brushes, combs, hair rollers, pins, clips). G. Too frequent backcombing, teasing. H. Lack of proper maintenance (regular trims). I. All of the above.

Fried Hair Fixes

Now that we have covered the most common reasons lets look at the best way to fix fried hair:

1. Cut Or Trim It Off

Yes, you can try and save fried hair. Do you really want to?

The reality of fried hair is that it just can't be repaired. Once hair has gotten to a certain stage of damage you may be able to mask the problems but never restore your hair to a pre-fried stage.

If you wish to spend infinite amounts of time and money for at-home or salon treatments then know going into your repair process what to expect.

It may be painful to cut or trim but in the long run it gives your hair a better chance for full recovery as it grows back in.

Of course the choice should always be yours. Never let a hairdresser pressure you to remove fried and damaged hair unless you agree.

2. Camouflage It

Whether you have the damaged removed or not, why not camouflage fried strands? There are great clip-in hair extension options available today that can instantly mask damaged tresses.

Some of the very best clip-in extensions include Jessica Simpson Clip-in Extensions. To check out the Jessica Simpson clip in hair extensions go to: http://mp.hairboutique.com/hairdo.asp

Whether you use clip-ins to cover newly shorn locks (after you have the fried strands removed) or use them to cover your current damage, consider taking advantage of this great option.

3. Shampoo Less Often

When possible shampoo less often than more often. If you feel you must shampoo every day either use gentle shampoos or dilute your shampoo to minimize the potential to dry out your strands from harsh shampoo chemicals and the water.

Yes, the chemicals in water can do as much damage as the shampoo ingredients.

4. Practice Good Cleansing

Consider the following good cleansing steps:

A. Use only lukewarm water. B. When possible wash hair in shower or sink instead of tub (dirt residues can settle in over porous strands). C. Get hair very wet before applying shampoo. D. Dilute shampoo (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon in 1 clean quart bottle filled with lukewarm water and shaken to form suds). Drizzle suds over top of head and let suds flow down over rest of the strands. Gently pat into hair to avoid rubbing or pulling damaged strands. Lightly massage scalp with finger pads and not fingernails. Even better, wash without shampoo. Just rinse hair with water, apply a rinse-out conditioner and let hair rest from shampoo stress. E. Only shampoo one time except in unusual circumstances (extremely dirty hair or hair that has been soiled with unusual substances). F. Rinse well. One of the biggest causes of dull hair is shampoo that is not properly rinsed out. G. Follow with a good rinse-out conditioner. Slather from top of ears to ends. Allow to stay on hair for up to 5 minutes. H. Rinse well and finish with a cool/cold water rinse that helps close the cuticle. Not all hair experts agree on this step but many find it beneficial. I. Towel blot, never rub, until excess moisture in eliminated. J. Finish with a spritz of conditioning detangler or leave-in conditioner. K. When possible let hair air-dry by plopping, wet Bunning or rolling in rag curlers. L. Avoid hot tools such as blow dryers, hot irons, hot rollers except on special hair events. This will give your fried hair time to heal.

5. Deep Condition

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In response to the popularity of hot irons, relaxers and other chemical straightening treatments, the major hair care companies have released a series of deep conditioners designed to help with fried hair conditions.

While a deep conditioner won't completely reverse any damage, various conditioning ingredients will make hair easier to detangle and will help provide necessary moisture balance.

Listed below are some of the best deep conditioning products available on the market. Included after each product is a brief description of their benefits.

Phyto's PhytoKarite This is a fabulous treatment mask that contains hydrolyzed keratin that actually coats the hair. Vitamin E, a known antioxidant, will help protect hair from future stress factors such as heat, environment and related fried hair risk factors. Using this formula will help replenishing hair and allow it to be soft, shiny and supple.

Rene Furterer Karite Nourishing Conditioning Cream Karite nourishing conditioning cream revitalizes very dry and damaged hair. Using natural ingredients such as "shea butter" it deeply nourishes the keratin fiber, leaving the hair full, lustrous and alive. It repairs and protects, detangles and softens. Besides shea butter this fabulous product includes quince seed and Vitamin E.

Phytospecific Intense Nutrition Mask Intense nutrition mask can be used after every shampoo depending on the dryness of the hair. Plant marrow has an instant untangling effect and deeply nourishes the hair shaft.

Rene Furterer - Okara Restructuring and Protective Radiance Mask The mask optimizes the life of your hair color. This mask repairs your hair giving it body and bounce. CPF 70, 70+ color protection preserves color intensity due to anti-fading action. Color is protected and hair feels soft and luminous. This mask protects color, repairs the hair and provides shine. This includes key ingredients such as Extract of Okara, UV Filter, Vitamin E and B5.

Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Mask is designed to help dehydrated hair. It will revitalize your locks with moisture by deep conditioning. Restructures without weighing down.

Rene Furterer - Okara Repairing Treatment Mask Okara Repairing mask maintains the elasticity of your hair. This mask repairs the hair, brings shine and includes the key ingredients of Extract of Okara, Vitamin E and B5.

Phytocitrus Soin Vital Radiance Mask For color treated or chemically treated (perm, straightening) hair. Phytocitrus mask combines grapefruit extract with shea and illipe butters to regulate the hair's pH and smooth the cuticle, imparting brilliant shine.

Rene Furterer - Carthame Gentle Hydro-Nutritive Mask This mask protects the hair and provides it with exceptional suppleness and softness. Its creamy texture leaves the hair light and luminous. It helps detangle.

Phyto Plage After Sun Repair Mask With Rush Nut Oil This special "after sun" hair mask contains Rush Nut oil which is known for its nutritious and emollient properties, to soften the hair. Shea butter, rich in essential fatty acids provides deep nourishment for the hair and restores shine. Keratin hydrolysate coats and protects the hair, and boosts volume, while Rapeseed and Cellulose derivatives smooth out tangles. Pro Vitamin B5 provides moisture and revitalizes the hair.

Rene Furterer After Sun Repair Mask This after-sun repair mask deeply restructures hair damaged after sun exposure. This product nourishes and restructures the hair shaft, detangles instantly and includes key ingredients of Shea butter and essential oil of sesame.

6. Pre Condition

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PHYTO Huile D'Ales Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment A unique compound of castor plant oil and essential oils of sage, rosemary, juniper berries and lemon. Huile D'Ales was specially formulated to moisturize and restore shine to dry and/or damaged hair.

HairTopia Beautiful Hair Oil A synergistic blend of pure organic jojoba oil, essence of flowers, vibrational elixirs of gems, pure essential oils of lavender, bergamot, grapefruit, rosemary and lime designed to moisturize very dry hair and scalps.

Rene Furterer - Complexe 5 Regenerating Extract with stimulating essential oils Essential for healthy scalp and beautiful hair. Its unique concentration in orange, lavender and verbena essential oils stimulates microcirculation and invigorates the scalp to favor the growth of beautiful and healthy hair.

Note: All of the Phyto, Rene Furterer, HairTopia and related Products can be purchased through the HB.com Marketplace.

7. Air Dry

Towel blot, never rub, until excess moisture is eliminated. Finish with a spritz of hydrating detangler or leave-in conditioner. When possible let hair air-dry by plopping, wet bunning or rolling in rag curlers.

Avoid hot tools such as blow dryers, hot irons, hot rollers except for special hair events. This will give your fried hair time to heal.

8. Wear SPF In Your Hair

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Before you go to the beach or hit the pool be sure to apply a hair product which contains SPF to protect your follicles along with your hair color.

Keep in mind you can always make your own SPF protection product by mixing distilled water, regular sunscreen and leave-in-conditioner in a clean spritzer bottle.

Another great tip is to rinse your hair with bottled water before emerging hair in salt or chlorine. Hair absorbs chemicals much easier when it's dry. Rinse immediately upon leaving pool. When possible, wear a protective swimming cap.

9. Maintain Your Hair Religiously

Prevent hair from day to day damage by using great products, taking necessary care precautions and by getting a regular trim. Most hair experts recommend you get a trim every six to eight weeks.

If your hair is prone to serious damage or frizz, go to your stylist more frequently. It might be best to get trims every four to six weeks until your hair recovers. When in doubt talk to your hairdresser.

10. Be Fashionable In Hot Weather

The blazing hot sun can take a serious toll on fragile strands. It can cause delicate hair hues to fade faster. Wear a sassy baseball cap or other cute headgear to protect your precious tresses from the sun.

11. Avoid Products With Too Much Alcohol Or Silicone

Some products can build-up on your strands adding to the frizz factor making hair look and feel fried. These products usually have a strong alcohol or silicone base. Read any labels to make sure your hair is adequately protected.

12. Moisturize From The Inside Out

When the body is dehydrated the scalp and tresses will suffer. Drink plenty of water. Minimize alcohol and caffeine consumption to allow less stress on your liver. Ultimately this which will pay you dividends in healthier hair.

13. Eat Right And Take Your Hair Vitamins

When hair is fried it needs all the help it can get. Hair Vitamins will strengthen hair and provide much needed nutrients that will allow hair to regain its natural sheen. Eating right is also important for healthy hair.

Summary

Although fried hair can be a bummer, there are many things you can do to prevent it from happening or fix it once it does occur.

Note: All of the products listed in this article including the entire Phyto and René Furterer product lines are available at HairBoutique.com in the Marketplace.

If you want to talk more about this or other hair care articles on HairBoutique.com or anywhere else, please post a message on HairBoutique.com's Hair Talk Forums.

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