What Causes Hair Damage?

Does your hair feel dry and brittle, particularly at the ends? Is it prone to frizz and often difficult to control? These are common signs of hair damage – but don’t worry! Damaged hair is easily remedied with a touch of TLC. We discuss what causes damage, how to repair damaged hair and recommend some of the best damaged hair treatments to help restore health and shine.  

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Signs of Damaged Hair

So, what does damaged hair look like? There are several signs to look out for:  

  • Hair feels dry and struggles to retain moisture 
  • Hair feels brittle and is prone to breakage 
  • Hair looks dull and lacklustre 
  • Hair tangles easily 
  • Hair is prone to frizz 

What Causes Hair Damage?

Before looking into how to repair damaged hair, it’s important to know what’s causing it. 

Damaged hair occurs when the outer layer (the cuticle) begins to break down. The cuticle’s main function is to protect the hair, so when this layer is compromised, hair is left vulnerable to environmental damage and prone to breakage.  

Heated Styling 

Using excessive heat when styling hair (particularly without heat protection spray!), can weaken strands, causing the tell-tale signs of hair damage. 

With temperatures as high as 230°C, drying, straightening and curling often cause heat damaged hair, with dry cuticles and unhealthy, frazzled-looking ends.  

Expert Tip: Never skip heat protection when styling! Include our Protect Me heat protection spray in your hair care routine to help retain moisture and prevent hair damage. 

Environmental Factors

The weather can have negative effects on hair’s health. Just as the sun’s UV rays can strip hair of moisture, causing dryness and breakage, hair can become tangled on particularly windy days, causing the cuticles to break and shed, removing the hair’s protective layer. 

Chemical Treatments

Treatments such as chemical straightening or perming are designed to break down the natural structure of hair strands to alter their shape.  

While hair looks smooth and healthy immediately after the treatment, over time, the strong chemicals prevent moisture retention, leading to signs of damaged hair 

Harsh Brushing

Knots, tangles and vigorous brushing can cause breakages, particularly when brushing wet hair. The result? Hair appears thinner and much less healthy.  

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Dr. Amy Revene
Medically reviewed by Dr. Amy Revene M.B.B.S. A dedicated General Physician at New Hope Medical Center, holds a distinguished academic background from the University of Sharjah. Beyond her clinical role, she nurtures a fervent passion for researching and crafting hair care and cosmetic products. Merging medical insights with her love for dermatological science, Dr. Revene aspires to improve well-being through innovative personal care discoveries.

Helping people with hair problems since 2012

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What could be more reassuring than having your hair care brand vetted and endorsed by a professional in the field of hair loss? This is exactly what sets Watermans apart in the crowded hair care market.

Watermans is not just trusted by our extensive clientele but is also endorsed by hair loss doctors, who understand the intricacies of hair growth and the effectiveness of our products. Having a hair loss specialist vouch for our range adds an extra layer of confidence and trust in our solutions. This level of professional endorsement exemplifies the high standards and proven effectiveness of our hair growth products.