Published 21st December 2021
How To Repair Heat Damaged Wavy Hair
Styling your hair is one can be one of the most enjoyable parts of getting ready. Whether you’re using straighteners or curling tongs, you have unlimited options to try lots of brand-new styles each week.
Despite the confidence that a beautiful hair style can give you in the moment, there are downsides to constantly styling your wavy hair. Especially when you’re constantly using heat to create these styles.
Heat damage is surprisingly common in women with long hair, whether it’s straight, wavy, or curly. Using your straighteners, curling tongs, or a hairdryer in your wavy hair routine can dry out your locks and leave them brittle and damaged. Not to mention that constantly straightening or curling your hair can affect its natural curl pattern.
Some key signs of heat damage include:
- Split ends
- White nodules at the ends of your hair
- Dryness and roughness
- Breakages
- Frizz, tangles, and knots
Sadly, heat damage isn’t usually reversible. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some great things you can do to repair some of the damage.
Once you repair wavy hair damage, your hair will return to its healthy and shiny state. Although the repair process can take a while, following these key steps will ensure that you get your luscious locks back in no time.
deep condition
Deep conditioning treatments can restore the shine and moisture in your hair. This can help to repair heat damage and keep your hair as moisturised as possible.
Take some time to deep condition once a week as part of your wavy hair routine. Choose a nutrient-rich product that is full of moisturising ingredients. Great options include treatments that contain:
- Shea butter
- Avocado extracts
- Aloe vera
- Plant-based oils, such as coconut, argan, and jojoba oil
Our Repair Bundle is a great option to rehydrate and detangle your damaged hair. Applying the Repair Conditioner just once a week can leave your hair feeling smooth and silky.
use sulphate-free hair products
Sulphates can damage your hair even further and may delay the repair process. Alongside silicones and parabens, sulphate can strip the hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and frizzy. Sulphates can also irritate the skin on your scalp, causing itchiness and dandruff.
Using a sulphate-free shampoo and repair conditioner can help to repair wavy hair damage by providing a deep cleanse and nourishing the hair from root to tip.
use a protein treatment
When you’re trying to repair heat damage, using a protein treatment can be helpful. Find a treatment that contains high-quality sources of keratin, which can promote strong and healthy hair growth.
Some treatments also contain additional beneficial ingredients, such as yoghurt, honey, and natural oils, all of which can help to hydrate your hair and restore it back to full health.
Be careful though. Using too many heavy products that contain oils and butters are more suited to curly hair, and can weigh your waves down. So keep your products light.
visit the salon
If you’re unsure how to repair wavy hair when it is damaged, leave it to the professionals!
Visiting your hair salon will allow qualified stylists to work their magic and restore your locks back to their full health. They will give your hair a trim to remove split ends, which can immediately make your hair look and feel better.
The stylists at the hair salon will also have professional treatments that they can apply to nourish your hair, reduce damage, and allow your natural curl pattern to come through.
cleanse your hair
Cleansing treatments go hand-in-hand with your deep conditioners. They help to lock in moisture and hydrate your hair from the roots.
When your hair has a lot of heat damage, regular cleansing can promote the growth of healthy new hair and reduce the risk of breakages. Use your cleansing treatment after washing your hair with sulphate-free shampoo once or twice a week for the best results.
avoid using heat
One of the most obvious ways to begin the heat damage repair process is to remove the root cause of the problem – the heat!
Straighteners, curling tongs, and hairdryers are the primary cause of heat damage. They expose our hair to hot plates and dry air that causes potentially permanent damage. The more heat you use, the more damaged your hair becomes, even when you use protecting sprays.
By removing the sources of heat, you can start to slowly reduce the heat damage on your hair.
Instead of using straighteners and curling tongs, awaken your waves naturally by following the Merwave Method. And don't use a hot setting when using your hair dryer. Instead, just let it air dry naturally, or use a microfibre towel.
final thoughts
Heat damage isn’t the most enjoyable thing to deal with. It can be disheartening when your hair starts to break or becomes dry and brittle.
Luckily, there are lots of great things that you can do to restore your hair to a healthier state. Follow the tips above as part of your daily wavy hair routine for at least 3-6 months, and you will start to see the signs of damage disappear. Slowly, but surely, your hair will start to feel moisturised, shiny, and soft once again.
Repairing heat damage is a long process but it’s possible. And it’s worth putting in the time and effort to restore your hair health, so that you feel happy and confident with your gorgeous wavy locks!
If you want to learn more about how to look after your curly or wavy hair, check out our other wavy blogs.
