Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair
The best shampoo for damaged hair is sulphate-free, so it cleans without stripping, and pairs with a conditioner and weekly mask that put strength back into the fibre. Grow Me® Shampoo and Condition Me® use lupine protein, biotin and shea butter to help brittle strands resist snapping. Most people feel softer, smoother hair from the first wash.
What did 122 people say after three months of Grow Me®?
In an independent three-month consumer study by Ayton Global Research, 122 people washed with Grow Me® Shampoo four times a week from a blank, unbranded bottle. At the end, 83% said their hair looked fuller and 82% said it felt thicker.
Consumer perception results, 104 women and 18 men, 3 months, 4 washes a week. Individual results vary. See every result from the study.
What causes hair breakage and damage?
Hair breakage happens when the outer layer of the strand is worn away and the fibre snaps under everyday stress. Heat styling, bleach and colour, tight hairstyles, rough towel drying and brushing wet hair are the most common causes. Breakage shows as short, frizzy pieces along the crown and hairline and split, see-through ends.
Heat styling
Straighteners, tongs and hot blow-drying boil the water inside the strand and crack the outer cuticle.
Bleach and colour
Lightening opens the cuticle and weakens the protein structure, so hair stretches and snaps.
Tight styles
Ponytails, buns and braids pulled tight put constant tension on the same spot every day.
Rough handling
Rubbing with a towel and brushing wet hair, when it is weakest, tears strands mid-length.
Harsh sulphates
Strong detergents strip natural oils, leaving hair dry, rough and more likely to break.
Sun, chlorine and hard water
UV, pool water and mineral build-up dry the cuticle out over the summer.
How do you repair damaged hair that keeps breaking?
You cannot glue split hair back together, but you can stop damage spreading and make strands stronger and smoother. Wash with a sulphate-free shampoo, condition every time, use a protein-rich mask once or twice a week, and protect hair before any heat. Trimming split ends every eight to ten weeks keeps breakage from travelling up.
Clean gently
Grow Me® has no sulphates, so it keeps the natural oils damaged hair needs.
Rebuild
Masque Me® with lupine protein and argan oil once or twice a week restores softness and shine.
Protect
Protect Me® before every blow-dry or straightener stops heat damage adding up.
Which products should you use for damaged hair and breakage?
Our shampoo, conditioner, mask, hair oil and heat spray are made in the UK, free from sulphates and parabens, and covered by the Watermans 90 Day Promise when used as directed for the full 90 days. Prices as of September 2026.
Masque Me® Repair Hair Mask
A weekly deep treatment with lupine protein, argan oil and provitamin B5 to help guard against breakage and split ends.
Grow Me® Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Our best-selling routine. Grow Me® cleanses and refreshes the scalp, Condition Me® protects fragile lengths against snapping.
Protect Me® Heat Protection Spray
A light leave-in with panthenol, niacinamide and lupine protein to shield lengths before you blow-dry or straighten.
Camellia & Black Castor Hair Oil
Seals in moisture, smooths the cuticle and tames frizz on dry, brittle ends.
Condition Me® Conditioner 250ml
Shea butter, cholesterol and lupine protein restore softness and help fragile strands resist breakage.
Which Watermans product is best for damaged hair?
For badly damaged hair, start with Masque Me® plus the Grow Me® Shampoo & Conditioner Set, because damaged hair needs gentle cleansing, daily conditioning and a weekly deep treatment. If you heat style, Protect Me® is the single biggest habit change, and hair oil seals dry ends.
| Product | Best for | How to use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masque Me® Repair Hair Mask | Brittle, bleached or split ends | Once or twice a week, 10 to 15 minutes | £24.95 |
| Grow Me® Shampoo & Conditioner Set | Everyday gentle cleansing and conditioning | Every wash | £26.95 |
| Protect Me® Heat Protection Spray | Anyone using straighteners or tongs | Spray on damp hair before heat | £13.95 |
| Camellia & Black Castor Hair Oil | Dry, frizzy ends | A few drops on the ends | £24.95 |
Meet Marilyn
A verified buyer of the Grow Me® Shampoo & Conditioner Set, reviewed in September 2023.
Shop Masque Me® Repair Hair Mask★★★★★
“I've been using the shampoo & condition, it really help repair the damaged. My hair feel so soft and healthy. Highly recommended.”Marilyn McGirl, verified buyer, September 2023
What should you expect in the first 90 days?
Expect cleaner, softer hair from the first wash, less breakage by around six weeks and fuller-looking hair by eight to twelve weeks of washing four to five times a week. That timeline matches our consumer study, which ran for three months. Results vary from person to person.
Scalp feels deep-cleaned and refreshed. Hair feels softer and detangles more easily.
Fewer snapped strands on your brush and pillow. Lengths feel stronger and look shinier.
Hair looks fuller and feels thicker as less of it breaks. Keep going to keep the result.
What do customers with damaged hair and breakage say about Watermans?
Customers rate the Grow Me® Shampoo & Conditioner Set 4.8 out of 5 from 4,752 verified reviews, and Grow Me® Shampoo 4.87 from 2,697. Below are real, verified reviews, lightly trimmed for length and typos.
“My hair is stronger, not breaking and has a lovely shine. Very pleased with the shampoo, you don't need to use a lot either.”
Janet Nock · Verified buyer · May 2023“I was very sceptical when I bought this but I have noticed a difference my hair feels thicker and I'm not having as much breakage which is also helping my hair look better.”
emma lavery · Verified buyer · July 2024“I used both the shampoo and conditioner regularly, followed the instructions and my hair has almost recovered. I would recommend it to anyone with badly damaged hair.”
Caralyn Moore · Verified buyer · May 2023“I've been using the gummies along with shampoo and conditioner, I've noticed a great difference in my hair and my nails feel stronger and less brittle.”
colette vines · Verified buyer · June 2026Why choose Watermans for damaged hair and breakage?
Watermans is a UK family business founded by Gail and Matt Waterman in 2012. We have sold 6.5 million bottles, won the Queen's Award for Enterprise, and every formula is made in Britain without sulphates or parabens.
Damaged hair and breakage FAQs
What is the best shampoo for damaged hair?
The best shampoo for damaged hair is sulphate-free and paired with a strengthening conditioner. Grow Me® Shampoo is free from sulphates and parabens, and Condition Me® adds shea butter, cholesterol and lupine protein. Together they are rated 4.8 out of 5 from 4,752 reviews.
Can damaged hair be repaired?
Split ends cannot be fused back together, so the only real fix for them is a trim. Everything above the split can be made stronger, smoother and shinier with gentle washing, regular conditioning, a weekly protein mask and heat protection, which stops new damage.
How often should I use a hair mask on damaged hair?
Use Masque Me® once or twice a week on clean, damp hair. Apply it to the mid-lengths and ends, leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, or up to 20 for very damaged hair, then rinse well.
Does heat protection spray really work?
Heat protection spray reduces damage by coating the strand and slowing how fast heat reaches the inside of the hair. Use Protect Me® on damp hair before every blow-dry or straightener session and keep tools below the hottest setting.
What is the difference between hair breakage and hair loss?
Hair loss means hairs fall out from the root, often with a white bulb at the end. Breakage means strands snap part-way along, leaving short, uneven pieces with no bulb. Breakage is caused by damage and handling, so it usually responds well to a better routine.
Is Masque Me® suitable for bleached and curly hair?
Yes. Masque Me® is suitable for all hair types, including bleached, colour-treated, curly, relaxed and Afro hair. It is vegan, cruelty-free and free from sulphates, parabens and palm oil.
Watermans products are cosmetics. They are not medicines and do not treat medical hair loss. If your hair is falling out suddenly, in patches, or you are worried, please see your GP or a trichologist first.
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Start your damaged hair and breakage routine today
Use the Masque Me® Repair Hair Mask as directed for the full 90 days. If you are not happy, our 90 Day Promise means we refund you.