According to a study in the International Journal of trichology, “The excessive or repeated chemical treatment of hair can change the hair texture and result in hair breakage. These changes can be seen microscopically as weathering. It can cause tangling and frizzing. Weathering is the progressive degeneration from the root to the tip of the hair.”
What is Damaged Gummy Hair?
Gummy hair occurs when your hair has been over-processed with bleach or color. When you bleach or color your hair, the hairshaft gets opened from the chemicals. The cuticle of your hairshaft reacts with the chemical and strips your hair of its melanin. In a perfect world, the cuticle should then close after processing. But, if the chemicals are left on too long, the cuticle is unable to close. You wind up with dry and brittle hair that is also gummy.
When your hair is gummy, it may look like it’s clumped together. It may also be difficult to brush your hair.You can sometimes reverse the damage of gummy hair. Here is a list of things you can do to fix the damage.
- Use an organic, sulfate-free shampoo
- Apply oil to your hair and massage your scalp
- Use a very good conditioner
- Avoid using heating tools
- Trim your hair
- Take hair supplements
- Improve your diet
- Get a professional protein treatment at a salon
Fixes for Gummy Hair
If you have gummy hair after having a bleaching or coloring done, your hair has definitely been damaged. It’s internal support structure has been damaged. Your hair now has very little protein. It has lost its strength and texture. Read on to discover some of the fixes for gummy hair.
Wash Your Hair Less Frequently
While you might be tempted to wash your hair more because it is gummy looking, that is the worst thing that you can do. You need to wash your hair less frequently. That’s because your hair is already stripped of its moisture and natural oils. Washing it too often will only dry your hair out more and increase the damage.
Be sure to avoid washing your everyday. Twice a week is better. You should also use cold water, as warm water will only dry your hair out more.
You should also use an organic shampoo. The regular shampoos contain additives, parabens and sulfates. Using these will only make your hair more dry. Non-organic shampoos of laden with chemicals that do damage. And organic shampoo will give your hair the healthy ingredients that it needs. Use an organic conditioner, too. The organic products will nourish and revitalize your hair.
Use Oil on Your Hair and Massage Your Scalp
Use a good oil on your hair and massage it into your scalp. Just be sure to select a good organic oil. Pampering yourself with a good oil will go a long way fixing gummy hair. Use an oil that is rich and hydrating. Olive oil, coconut oil, argan oil, onion seed oil or castor oil work well.
Cold pressed coconut oil works great. It is extremely nourishing and hydrating for the hair. Cold press castor oil was another good pick for gummy hair. Not only does it moisturize the hair, it promotes hair growth. Moroccan argan oil is also good for gummy hair. It helps reduce frizz and revitalizes dull looking hair. Organic coconut milk oil will help heal the cuticles on your hair.None of these oils will irritate your scalp.
Just heat the oil up to a comfortable warm temperature. Then, you can massage it into your scalp. Be sure that the entire hair shaft is covered with the oil. You can even do this before you go to bed, and leave the oil in. In the morning, you can just shampoo it out. Hair oils have several benefits. They increase blood circulation, stimulate hair growth and leave the hair feeling smoother and softer.
Use a Hair Mask
Use a homemade hair mask or pick one up at the store. Using a mask will give your hair more hydration. You could even use it with a leave-in conditioner. There are a number of good hair masks that have a lot of nutrients for your hair. Protein Rich masks have ingredients like egg protein, avocado, and coconut.
Trim your Hair Ends
When you have damaged hair, it is typically the herons that take the major hit. Trimming your hair ends will reduce the significance of your hair being gummy. Keep in mind that longer hair is more prone to breakage. Trimming those ends will greatly reduce the damage.
Avoid Using Heating Tools
Just like coloring and bleaching, heating tools can do damage to your hair. If you have damaged hair, forget about using the heating tools for a while. Hold off until you’ve been able to restore your hair back to its health. Blow dryers, curling irons, straightening brushes and flat irons can all strip moisture from your hair.
Get a Professional Protein Treatment at a Store
If your home treatments don’t work for your gummy hair, go to a professional salon for a protein treatment. Let your stylist know how your hair got damaged. Ask for their advice on what protein treatment is best for your condition.
Ramp up Your Diet and Take Hair Supplements
When your hair is damaged, it needs nourishment from the inside out. Be sure to eat well. This will have an impact on your hair’s health. You need to eat a balanced diet that has plenty of vitamins and protein. And your hair needs a lot of this when it’s gummy. It is also wise to take some hair supplements. Consider taking some fish oil capsules or vitamin E. Taking hair supplements will help fix your gummy hair faster. Just be sure they are all natural.
Conclusion
The number one way to prevent gummy hair is to not have your hair over processed when bleaching or coloring. If you are bleaching a color in your hair yourself, you really need to really know what you’re doing. If you’re unsure about the process, have your hair done at a salon instead. A professional hair stylist has the knowledge and skills to not over process your hair when bleaching or coloring it. Your hair will thank you.
