FAQ: Help! My Overprocessed, Damaged Hair is Breaking Off
- OOF!
- Jun 12
- 9 min read
Updated: Jun 22
Hair catastrophe? We've got you.
We recently worked with a long time customer to find answers to this question. She had very long, bleached (beautiful!) blonde hair. She had decided to go with a more balayage style, and although she did go to a professional, her hair was too weak for this amount of processing.
Her hair was damaged and started falling out. Her once beautiful hair was falling out in chunks. She was understandably distraught and looking for help.
We worked with several hair professionals to make a plan. Here's what we came up with. Yes, we are providing links to you for specific products. We have chosen these products carefully with a professional stylist.
Want a free PDF printout of this info? Get yours here:
First Steps: Preventing Further Damage
When your hair is extremely damaged, the first and most important step is to stop doing anything that could cause further harm. That means taking a break from heat styling, chemical treatments, tight hairstyles, and anything that adds stress or strain. Handle your hair as gently as possible especially when it's wet.
Focus on protecting what’s left. Start treating your hair like delicate fabric. Use a gentle t-shirt hair towel like the OOF! HALO for drying your hair, sleep on a smooth pillowcase like satin or silk, and avoid brushing when it’s wet and vulnerable. You want to give it a chance to hold onto what strength it still has while you begin the healing process.
Here's what one of our customers had to say about the HALO t-shirt towel for her damaged hair:
"As somebody who has always had really long healthy hair never had to deal or worry, with hair loss before. unfortunately recently, I had a hairdresser left on bleach way too long on my hair resulting in hair breaking and falling out in clumps!!!!!!! needless to say, I started freaking out! I did a bunch of research online and found these towels and they really did save a bunch of hair that was falling out. They’re very gentle and lightweight and absorb the moisture great so they’re not tough and pull on your hair like normal towels do for anybody that is struggling with hair loss. I’d recommend these completely. I love them and will never go back to using regular towels to throw my wet hair in……. Thanks you life saver 🥰🥰❤️❤️"
First Things First: Don't Over Treat Damaged Hair With Protein
So, what about protein? Most hair products for damaged hair or the ones that make claims to repair damaged hair do this with protein. Protein for hair is great. Protein helps strengthen and repair your hair strand (yay), but too much protein can easily build up on your strand, causing it to dry out and break off (womp, womp). More is not better. Although it seems counter-intuitive, using a lot of anti-breakage hair products can ultimately lead to more breakage and damage.
If your hair has more than a little damage from bleaching, relaxer, constant heat, or some other hair catastrophe, you will want to use a low-protein conditioner regularly and a high protein conditioner every two weeks. (Yes, really! That is all you need. Do NOT overdo with the protein!)
Step One: Shampoo and Conditioner for Damaged Hair
Shampoo For Damaged Hair
Since dry, brittle hair is more prone to breakage, a quality shampoo for damaged hair should also feature hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin, as well as moisturizing oils and butters, such as jojoba oil, argan oil, and shea butter.
Choose a shampoo without sulfates. Sulfates (listed as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate in ingredient lists) are harsh surfactants that can remove your hair's natural oils, causing dryness and breakage. They are also known for causing premature color fading, so try to avoid them in your shampoo whenever possible.
Here are some sulfate‑free, low‑protein shampoos that include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, plus moisturizing oils and butters.
Key Ingredients & Benefits:
Hyaluronic acid + squalane: provide deep hydration & frizz control
Glycerin: humectant that locks in moisture.
Mild, sulfate-free surfactants and no heavy proteins—ideal for moisturizing without buildup.
Why it’s popular: praised for delivering an “immediate rush of hydration” and fully sulfate/paraben-free
A standout cleaner in the clean-beauty world.
Key Ingredients & Benefits:
Hyaluronic acid + glycerin: superior hydration.
Niacinamide (B3), panthenol (B5): soothe the scalp and strengthen strands.
Mild surfactants, no sulfates, proteins, parabens, silicones, or benzoates.
Why it’s popular: an Allure award-winner and lauded for clean formulation and color-safe performance
Conditioners for Damaged Hair (Regular Conditioning)
Follow up with a nourishing conditioner that provides hydration (avocado oil, castor oil, shea butter, jojoba oil) and helps restore the hair's moisture balance. Remember, this is your regular conditioner, not the deep conditioning, protein treatment you will use every week or two.
We're a big fan of these conditioner bars. In fact, we sell them right here on our website. They are super hydrating and contain all natural ingredients.
Ingredients Highlights
Formulated with coconut oil and olive oil to protect against breakage, moisturize, and restore shine
Sweet almond oil to prevent breakage by providing moisture and nutrients.
Cocoa and shea butter add extra hydration and improve hair elasticity.
Reduce inflammation and dandruff with the essential oils lavender and rose geranium.
Benefits:
All natural ingredients combined with nourishing oils, these bars leave you with soft, smooth strands and can prevent split ends.
Ingredients Highlights
Avocado Oil, Squalane, Sesame Oil, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Shea Butter – rich emollients for softness and shine
Sodium Hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) and Glycerin – powerful humectants to draw and lock in moisture
Coconut Water, Blue Algae, Turmeric Extract – antioxidant support
Benefits:
Lightweight but rich formula that smooths, tames frizz, and enhances shine
Free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones; uses natural and mild preservatives like leuconostoc/radish root ferment
Ingredients Highlights:
Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, Coconut Oil, Panthenol (B5), Niacinamide, Citric Acid – multi-layer hydration with scalp-loving actives
Benefits:
Renowned for soothing the scalp, comforting dryness, and maximizing moisture balance from roots to ends
Skin-care-inspired formula: rich in hydrating, strengthening, and anti-inflammatory agents
Want a free PDF printout of this info? Get yours here:
Step Two: Deep Conditioning Treatments for Damaged Hair
So, now you have a good idea of a good, basic shampoo and conditioning for gentle, hydrating support for damaged hair. Now let's look at deep conditioning treatments. These will be your once a week deep conditioners with a high protein content. You can really choose any of the high protein, hight moisture quality conditioners, but we are sharing a few of our favorites.
Type: Bond-building, repair treatment
Key Benefits:
Rebuilds strong disulfide bonds broken by heat, color, and chemical damage
Improves elasticity, shine, and reduces breakage in just minutes
Suggested Use: Apply to clean, towel-dried hair, leave on for 10–30 minutes, then rinse and follow with conditioner
Type: Natural protein-humectant treatment
Ingredients:
Hydrolyzed wheat, soy, corn proteins for strengthening
Avocado, almond, argan oils and shea butter for deep nourishment
Algae extract, biotin, and antioxidants to promote scalp and cuticle health
At Home Deep Conditioning Masks
Want to keep it a little more in budget and truly all natural? Make your own hair mask. Hair masks and oils are excellent options for deep conditioning and repairing damage. These are designed to hydrate, repair, and protect damaged or dry hair, and many also offer a light protein boost using natural sources (like yogurt or egg).
Here is a list of possible hair conditioning mask ingredients:
Avocado: Avocado oil deeply moisturizes, strengthens brittle strands, and smooths frizz.
Coconut oil: It penetrates the hair shaft effectively, reducing protein loss.
Honey: A natural humectant, it attracts moisture and helps maintain humidity.
Olive Oil: Adds shine, helps reduce breakage and smooth the hair cuticle.
Yogurt: strengthens hair with natural protein while soothing the scalp and adding softness.
Banana: hydrates and smooths hair, helping to reduce frizz and improve elasticity.
Egg yolk: is rich in biotin and fats that strengthen hair and add shine.
For example, mix avocado, olive oil, and honey for a nourishing treatment.
Step Three: Use Hair Oil Serums or Hair Oils for Daily Moisture
Damaged hair struggles to retain the moisture it so desperately needs. That’s where sealing oils come in. These oils help your hair hold onto hydration by forming a protective barrier around the hair shaft. After washing and conditioning, a sealing oil helps “lock in” that moisture so it doesn't evaporate.
This step is especially important for porous or brittle hair, which tends to lose moisture quickly. Incorporating a high-quality sealing oil into your routine can reduce frizz, improve manageability, and minimize breakage while supporting your hair's healing process.
This serum is the perfect blend of moisturizing and essential oils. The strengthening hair oil is crafted with 8 botanical extracts known to nourish and combat dry, brittle hair.
Each ingredient was specially selected for its properties to improve hair density, strength, and health in addition to hydrating to scalp and stimulating hair follicles.
This cult-favorite hair oil combines argan oil with antioxidants and vitamins to deeply seal in moisture, smooth frizz, and protect damaged ends. It’s lightweight, absorbs quickly, and adds a silky shine without heaviness, making it ideal for daily use on dry or damp hair.
Step Four: Get Your Hair Growing Fast with Scalp Oiling
Hair oiling can certainly contribute to achieving fuller, healthier, and stronger hair, and there is evidence suggesting that hair oils possess the ability to accelerate hair growth.
Rosemary Oil and Castor Oil for Growth
Rosemary oil and castor oil are two of the most studied and popular oils used in scalp oiling for promoting hair growth. Rosemary oil has been shown to be as effective as 2% minoxidil (a leading pharmaceutical hair growth treatment) in promoting hair regrowth over six months.
Castor oil supports hair growth by increasing scalp circulation and nourishing follicles with its high ricinoleic acid content. It also helps reduce breakage by deeply moisturizing and strengthening the hair shaft.
How to Do Scalp Oiling for Hair Growth
The easiest way to do scalp oiling is to gently massage a mixture of rosemary essential oil (about 4–5 drops) diluted in a tablespoon of castor oil directly onto the scalp. Start with dry or slightly damp hair, apply with fingertips, and massage in circular motions for 5–10 minutes to boost blood flow. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for deeper penetration), then wash thoroughly. For best results, scalp oiling should be done 2–3 times per week.
What to Get
Step Five: Trimming and Hair Dusting
Trimming every 8–12 weeks helps remove split ends before they travel up the hair shaft and cause further breakage, preserving the length you’re working so hard to grow. But if you're not ready for a big chop, hair dusting is a gentler method: it involves snipping just the very tips of damaged strands (usually less than 1/8 inch), focusing only on visibly frayed or split ends.
Dusting can be done more frequently—every few weeks—and helps maintain softness and manageability without sacrificing growth. It’s especially helpful if your hair feels rough, tangles easily, or has uneven texture from breakage. Combined with gentle handling and moisture-rich care, these small trims make a big difference in how quickly and beautifully your hair bounces back.
Want a free PDF printout of this info? Get yours here:
Professional Help
Visiting a stylist can provide personalized recommendations tailored to your specific hair type and condition. They can also offer treatments such as keratin treatments, deep conditioning sessions, or specialized salon treatments designed to mend and strengthen hair.
Implementing a Healthy Lifestyle
A comprehensive approach to hair care doesn't only involve topical treatments. Nutritional intake can help you to grow hair faster and healthier. Ensure you are consuming a well-balanced diet that includes vitamins and minerals known to promote hair health, such as:
Biotin: Found in nuts, eggs, and fish, it strengthens hair and promotes growth.
Vitamin E: Found in seeds, nuts, and leafy greens, it supports a healthy scalp.
Protein: Hair is primarily made of protein. Incorporate adequate amounts of lean meat, legumes, and dairy into your meals.
Staying hydrated is also vital. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your hair and scalp hydrated.
The Journey to Healthy Hair
Reviving and strengthening damaged hair is a journey that requires time, patience, and a bit of commitment. While it may seem challenging at first, integrating the right practices and products will help.
Remember, consistency is key! Do not get discouraged if results take time. With dedication, you can heal your hair and bring back its vitality.
Explore damaged hair treatments here for additional support and product options to enhance your hair revival process.
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