Dry, brittle, split ends, breakage - HELP

1. Yes - if you use it on special occasions only (say, once a fortnight) and use a good heat-protective spray before you straighten.  Over here we have an excellent, non-greasy one made by the Lee Stafford brand, but I doubt that it's available in the US; you could look on the Straight Hair board for some suggestions.

2. See above.  Also use a deep conditioning product and / or leave-in conditioner regularly, maybe the wash after you've straightened, if that makes sense!  (I really like the Aussie brand, again, not sure whether that's available in the US).

3. Ask around, but most of all use the ones that work for you: everyone's hair is different.  I've noticed that lots of people on here recommend Jojoba oil for shine and conditioning.

4. I don't think it's possible to reverse damage to your hair (although that's a matter of opinion), but you can certainly make it look better and feel softer by taking good care of it in future, with heat protective and conditioning products.  You can also be really careful when you towel dry (just blot the hair gently, don't muss it up as I think that can cause splits).  Lastly, keep heat-styling to a minimum.  If you're going to straighten your hair, can you cut out the blow-drying on that particular occasion?  You could wash your hair the night before, leave it to air-dry over night and then just use the straightening iron in the morning, thereby reducing the amount of heat to which your hair is exposed.

The thinning might also have changed the texture of your hair; next time you go for a trim, you might want to discuss that with your hairdresser.

Hope this helps.  In response to your 5th question, I'm sure your hair will look and feel just gorgeous after a little TLC.  You can't wreck your hair with one straightening session!  Condition away...

Also a cold water rinse at the end of your wash and an ionic hairdryer are said to increase shine (by smoothing down the cuticle or something like that).

Good luck!

trophywife - Thank you for answering my post.  I took your advice & posted this over in Straight talk too.

I appreciate the advice you gave me.  I am going to save the flat iron for special occasions & I agree with you about the new cut may have changed the texture of my hair.  I think she point cut my ends, so now the brittle ends are more noticable. 

I miss my hair when I was in my young 20's...Long, flowing, shiney, always looked great..Those days are over for me I guess

ncgal wrote: Questions: 1.  Will I ever be able to use my flat iron again?  I fear I will damage my hair if I use it again. 2.  How can I protect my hair when applying high heat? 3.  Which products should I use to repair my dry hair & help it appear healthy ? 4.  Can I reverse the damage caused? 5.  How long will it take for my hair to return to normal?   Thank you!

1.) Yes, however heat especially high heat will dry out hair strands. You might have the temperature setting too high for your hair type. Try a lower temperature setting.

2.) You need moisturizing products to put that moisture back into the hair strand that the heat processes are drying out. Stay away from products with alcohol in them. Don't use shampoos with Ammonium Lauryl & Laureth Sulfate in them they are very harsh. Look for shampoos for Color Treated Hair they are much more gentle cleansers and better for you at this fragile stage of your hair's condition. Only use shampoos with Sodium Lauryl and Laureth Sulfate in them. Avoid shampoos like Pantene and Thermasilk they are very bad.

3.) The only product I feel comfortable recommending to you is a L'ANZA Deep Conditioning Treatment. It's a 5 step process and is done in salons that carry Goldwell. Click this link http://www.lanza.com/news-pr15.htm It's the best Deep Conditioning Treatment for damaged hair of any kind but you will only be able to get this done at a salon. Use their salon locator to find a salon that can do this for you. It should probably cost $25 or so but it's well worth it.

4.) Damaged hair CANNOT be repaired it can only be made managable by using products to help cope with damaged hair until it grows out and can be cut off.

5.) After the L'ANZA 5 Dtep Deep Conditioning treatment it will be much better but as I said in #4 Damaged Hair CANNOT be repaired.

You need to remember that every chemical service (perm, relaxer, color) is damaging to the hair strands. They pull moisture from the cortex of the hair strand. That moisture needs to be put back into the hair strand by conditioning, etc. Heat is also damaging to the hair strands. On those lazy days where you can let your hair air dry, throw some leave in conditioner in your hair and let it air dry. DO NOT throw your hair in a scrunchee when it's wet to tie it back or braid it while it's wet to get it out of your face. Dry your hair first if you are going to tie it back or braid it. If you don't dry it first when that hair air dries those hair strands expand and breakage can and will occur as that hair expands in the braid or tie back. Condition your hair often and avoid hair coloring for a while and you will notice the condition improve.

As a professional stylist I find it hard to believe that one run thru with a flat iron can damage your hair beyond repair so I am going to assume your hair has been previously damaged or overprocessed from a prior chemical service. In addition to the L'ANZA 5 Step Deep Conditioning Treatment get yourself a small bottle of L'ANZA Magic Bullet 4.2oz Spray Bottle and spray that on the damaged areas of your hair to help smooth the cuticles of the damaged strands. Is your hair snarly or knotty? That happens with overprocessed hair. Just curious...let me know how you make out.