Healthy looking hair has a smooth, tightly closed cuticle layer that protects the inner cortex from drying out. The cuticle layer allows hair to maintain its moisture balance, and gives hair its elasticity, strength and shine. Hair Damage is a serious problem for many people. Hair damage can range from uplifted cuticle scales resulting in dullness and decreased shine to bubbled and brittle cuticles to complete removal of the cuticle layer. Damaged hair is dry, porous, weak and hard to manage.

Knots, tangles, back-combing and hair elastics can lift the cells of the cuticle layer, which can eventually lead to cortex exposure and hair breakage. Heat from appliances such as curling irons or flat soften hair keratin (the main protein in the hair). Too much heat can cause the water in hair to a boil.

Hair dyes lift the cuticle so that the dyes can enter the cortex of the hair. The process can also dry out the hair. Ultra-violet rays of the sun breaking down keratin and melanin in the cortex and cuticle of the hair.Wind tangles the hair and causes individual strands to rub together.

This can cause enough friction to damage the cuticle layer, weakening the hair shaft and leading to breakage. Cold weather dries out hair more quickly because there is less humidity in the air. Damaged Hair Treatment and Prevention Tips 1. Regularly cut and trim damaged areas with split ends. 2. Use shampoo suitable for your hair type 3.

Long hair needs regular conditioning to rejuvenate strands 4. Drink plenty of water for natural moisture to hair. 5.

Eat a balanced diet, including multivitamins and protein in order to encourage the growth of hair. 6. Massage your hair with hot oil before washing 7. The exercise also helps stimulate blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles. 8. Avoid stressful situations that may prompt hair loss.

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