How I saved my damaged hair
I absolutely destroyed my hair. I used to bleach my hair every 8 weeks for about 6 years and being a type 1 diabetic (I was newly diagnosed and had uncontrolled blood sugar in the beginning) led to my hair having constant breakage, thinning, never growing, and feeling like straw. I thought the cause of this was just genetics and my hair grew very slowly, little did I know my hair was severely damaged. My solution to my hair not growing was getting extensions installed. I first tried tape ins, this led to the tape ripping out massive chunks of hair and having patches of broken hair and bald spots. A few years after, I tried sew in extensions. 2 weeks later I went to a new stylist to have them removed due to the pain I was in. I was told the previous stylist had used the wrong developer level when bleaching my hair, left bleach in my hair for too long, was not supposed to put my bleached head under a dryer, and sewed the extensions way too tight. I was informed that on top of the damage from the bleaching, the extensions caused tension alopecia. My stylist told me that there is a good chance the hair will not grow back in those spots, but recommended I do all the things in this post to try and save it. I decided to cut my hair and go back to my naturally color while doing all of these recommendations and my hair has almost fully recovered in just a few months. Never thought i’d be able to have thick, healthy hair again!! @BONPLEX
Seeing your hair utterly destroyed by years of bleaching and then worsened by extensions is truly heart-wrenching. I remember staring at my reflection, seeing thinning patches, constant breakage, and even bald spots, thinking my hair would never recover. It felt like I was facing an uphill battle against something irreversible, especially with my diabetes adding another layer of complexity to hair thinning and loss. But I learned that with the right approach and a lot of patience, recovery and even regrowth are possible! My stylist was a lifesaver, helping me understand why my hair was so fragile. Bleaching, especially over six years with incorrect developer and application, fundamentally alters the hair's protein structure. It breaks down the critical disulfide bonds that give hair its strength, leaving the cuticles open and vulnerable. This chemical damage, combined with the extreme tension from extensions, led to what my stylist called tension alopecia – a real wake-up call that my hair health was in crisis. One of the first and most impactful changes I made was drastically reducing heat styling. I learned that high temperatures don't just dry out hair; they actually change the very structure of the protein, converting healthy α-keratin to weaker β-keratin. This leaves hair even more susceptible to breakage, strips natural moisture and oils, and keeps the cuticles open, making it feel like straw. Letting my hair air dry or using the coolest setting on a dryer was a game-changer for protecting those fragile strands. Next, I invested in a good quality shower filter. This might sound minor, but the difference was huge! Our tap water often contains contaminants like chlorine, lead, and other heavy metals that can wreak havoc on already damaged hair. These substances strip natural oils, make hair rough and dry, and can even irritate the scalp, hindering healthy growth. A shower filter ensures that the water I'm washing my hair with is cleaner, creating a better environment for both my hair strands and my scalp to thrive, which is essential for encouraging regrowth after all that damage. I also focused heavily on intensive treatments and products specifically designed for severely damaged hair. My priority was to find products that could actively restore and repair those broken disulfide bonds. I started incorporating an intensive boosting ampoule and a rebonding treatment into my routine. These weren't just conditioners; they were formulated to penetrate deeply, strengthening the hair from within, preventing further breakage, and sealing the cuticle. They helped detangle my hair without strain, smoothed out frizz, and provided much-needed moisture. I looked for ingredients that promised to protect against future damage and resist heat, acting as a shield for my recovering hair. Beyond products, I adopted gentler hair care habits. I swapped out harsh towels for microfibre ones, used a wide-tooth comb on wet hair, and avoided styling that put stress on my scalp. This holistic approach, from understanding the science of damage to implementing practical solutions like avoiding heat, filtering water, and using targeted treatments, truly transformed my hair. It took dedication, but seeing my hair grow back thicker, healthier, and stronger after thinking it was beyond repair made every effort worth it. If you're struggling with bleached hair damage and breakage, know that regrowth is possible, and these steps can make a real difference in your before and after journey!
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