If you are someone with damaged or fragile hair, then you know how hard it can be to find products that actually live up to their claims to revive damage and provide protection from further breakage. And as someone who has put their hair through years of bleach and successfully brought my hair back to a healthy state—I feel especially qualified to share my fool-proof 6 step routine to bringing back damaged hair.

Read on the discover all our holy grail hair products for healthy, strong, and glossy hair.

Pre-Wash

The pre-shampooing stage is one I find most is the neglected and underrated in people’s hair routines, despite being one of the easiest ways to minimize hair fall and breakage on wash days. A pre-wash treatment can target specific concerns like scalp care or buildup, to ensure your hair products can penetrate properly. Using an oil on the ends of your hair before the shower will protect fragile hair from getting snagged while it’s wet. Wet hair will break more easily, so attending to any dry ends before hopping in the shower is crucial in protecting from further damage.

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Shampoo

People often debate weather a double shampoo is necessary versus a single wash in the shower, my rule of thumb tends to be: If your hair feels clean, don’t over-strip your hairs natural oils with another wash—especially if it is already compromised. With shampoos, I tend to look out for 3 things: a good lather, a clean (but minimal) scent, and most importantly—effective ingredients to combat damage.

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Conditioner

When choosing the right conditioner I typically recommend picking from the same line of products as your shampoo, since they are usually formulated to work most effectively in tandem. In this category of products, silicones tend to be polarizing ingredients—with many people opting to leave them out of their hair care, while others swear by its benefits. When taking care of damaged hair, silicones often get a bad rep, when in reality they can be one of the most effective ingredients in sealing the hair strand to prevent further breakage from occurring. But of course, not all silicones are created equal, and some can lead to buildup on the hair stand over multiple washes, this can be combated with a clarifying shampoo, but beware of over-stripping the natural oils from your hair.

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Mask

In-shower treatments are an essential step in a hair routine if your goal is to repair your hair health, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Most products aimed at repairing damage will emphasize bond repair through incorporating amino acids, proteins, and polymers into its formulas. Some treatments will need to be applied before or after conditioner, so always follow the product instructions for the best results.

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Leave-in Conditioner

Following up your shower with a leave-in conditioner helps prevent tangles and breakage that can occur while your hair is in its most fragile state. Many products also contain heat-protection in its formula, saving you a step in your styling routine.

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Final Touches

Finish off your routine with a texture spray, hair oil, or serum after styling your hair to lock in volume and moisture. Et voilà! You’re well on your way to strong, healthy hair.

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