We Asked The Pros: Here's Exactly How To Fix Heat Damaged Hair 

Many of us have gone through the hot tool phase. By this, we mean that period in time when we blow-dried, straightened, curled, or even crimped our hair every single day. While this may have been all fun and games at the time, heat damage followed. 

Let's get to the point: Your hair is already dead. Unlike the skin, your hair isn't going to repair itself. Does this mean that every product marketed as a damage remedy is a scam? Not necessarily. 

Now you may be wondering, "How do I know if my hair is damaged?" The thing is, heat-damaged hair can look similar to hair that's been poorly color-treated or lacks moisture in general. So if you see the following signs but rarely use hot tools, it's probably one of the previous problems instead.

If you find yourself reaching for the blow dryer or curling iron more than once or twice a week, though, then your hair is likely going to suffer from some heat damage. 

"Regular trims are key to keeping hair in top condition," Phillips explains. She recommends trimming the hair every six to eight weeks to keep it looking vibrant and healthy, especially if you're heat styling. 

"We can see damage occur with just one aggressive blow dry or chemical process," she explains, "or it can be cumulative over time." 

Next, consider adding a bond builder to your hair care routine. These products work to strengthen the hair from the inside. "It repairs and rebonds the internal hair structure by strengthening damaged strands and preventing further breakage," Abramite says. 

About 95% of your hair is made up of protein, so it only makes sense that treating it with protein-infused products can help to fill in the structural gaps of broken, damaged strands. 

You'll want to stick to once a week for the first month and then pace yourself, opting for once or twice a month after that. This way, your hair will get a heavy dose of protein at first, but you'll avoid overdoing it, which can have the opposite effect. 

While laying off the everyday hot tools is best practice for repairing damaged hair, we know the occasional style is a necessity for some of us. We all do it, but just make sure you do it right. By this, we mean protecting your strands. 

These topical protectant formulas coat your strands with a buffering layer of nutrients that help absorb the damage that comes from hot tools. What's more, heat protectants often contain smoothing ingredients that will make your style look even better. 

Like we said earlier, split ends are a common struggle for those with damaged hair. While practicing all of the above will help to manage the number of split ends you face, they're never fully gone.