How to Save Your Damaged Curly Hair: My Recovery Journey
I honestly can’t believe it’s been four years since I completely damaged my curly hair. I’ve always had long, healthy hair, but neglect and excessive bleaching brought that to an unfortunate end. I was literally heart broken when I realised (I was clearly living in dululu land thanks to 2020 covid situation ifykyk).
The Realisation: My Hair Was Damaged!
The moment you realise you’ve seriously damaged your hair is terrifying. You don’t know where to start, and the whole situation feels overwhelming. At the time, the fresh new colour and bleach felt fun and exciting, but once that phase passed, reality hit hard. I looked in the mirror and thought, Wow, I really need to fix this mess! TBH, I’ve always dyed my hair, from red back to brown to blonde but this time was different. My hair just had enough.
The first step is saying goodbye to Bleach
How did I move forward? Two things: prayers and ditching the bleach. I had a serious conversation with myself: Girl, you’re pregnant. You can’t be putting harsh chemicals on your hair! And do you really want to risk going bald? I’ve always admired women who rock a bold pixie cut, but I personally love long hair on myself. So, the mission to restore my curls began.
To big chop or not to big chop?
The big chop is a personal choice. While many people swear by it, I didn’t go for it though, let’s be real, a lot of my hair broke off on its own. Looking back, my hair got so short, but surprisingly, the new length was actually sooo cute the shape was a vibe it had quite a bit of volume. Still, after having long hair all my life, the drastic change was a shock. I took my healthy curls for granted and lived in total denial about the damage.
Breaking free from DIY hair experiments
After years of using home dye kits, I finally put them down for good and focused on repairing my curly hair. My hair was dry, frizzy, and confused. I spent hours on YouTube searching for ways to grow my curls back fast. But let’s be real, there’s no magic trick to instant hair growth. I learned this the hard way, but at least you’re here now, ready to get it right from the start!
The Importance of trimming
Start by cutting off those dead ends. I took matters into my own hands, literally. Since my hair damage realisation happened during lockdown, salons were closed, and I had no choice but to do it myself. If you feel comfortable trimming your own hair, invest in a good pair of hair scissors, watch a few tutorials, and go for it. Otherwise, visiting a professional stylist is a great option.
Do natural hair masks really work?
At the start of my hair recovery journey, I tried every DIY hair mask under the sun. Did they work? Honestly, I’m not sure because I was experimenting with everything. However, I did notice that some homemade masks caused buildup, which isn’t great for the scalp. What I will say is I still do a homemade mask from time to time with alma, fenugreek and some oils such as olive oil, sunflower oil and whatever I have available in the house! Remember, healthy hair growth starts at the scalp. To keep your scalp clean and promote growth, use a clarifying shampoo twice a month to remove buildup. Also, washing your hair once a week, using quality products with nourishing ingredients, and deep conditioning weekly or biweekly are essential steps in your routine.
Products that saved my hair
One product that worked wonders for me in 2021 was Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother. I truly believe it helped repair the damage. While I wasn’t ready to lose too much length, I also invested in the Olaplex shampoo, conditioner, and mask to help rebuild my hair.
Another game-changer on the market is K18, I haven’t personally tried it yet, but the rave reviews and impressive hair transformations are hard to ignore. It’s on the pricier side, but it’s scientifically backed to restore hair bonds, which is exactly what damaged curly hair needs!
Bonus Tip: Silk Pillowcases Are a Game-Changer
If you haven’t switched to silk pillowcases yet, now’s the time! They help prevent breakage and frizz while also being great for your skin. You can easily order them from Amazon, and trust me, your hair will thank you!
Final thoughts
Recovering from damaged curly hair requires patience, consistency, and the right products. Even though my hair has grown significantly, I’m still learning what works best for it! Over the past year, I faced scalp issues caused by using products with ingredients I was allergic to. I should have checked the ingredients, silly me! Unfortunately, this led to quite a bit of hair loss. To address the thinning, I decided to cut off a lot of my hair. The next day, I regretted it because I realised I’d cut off too much. But hey, it is what it is! I know it will grow back in time. There’s no quick fix for damaged curls, but with the right routine, your hair can bounce back healthier than ever. If you’re going through something similar, just remember: your hair can recover, and you’ve got this!
Have you experienced hair damage? What worked for you? Let’s chat in the comments!
