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. 

If you've tried to make amends with your hair over the years with little to no success, don't worry. We've tapped experts to give you the breakdown on how exactly to care for heat-damaged hair and to answer the ultimate question: Can it be fixed after all? Let's get into it. 

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. 

These products are generally claiming that the look of damaged hair can be improved, which is true. Further, using nourishing ingredients can help to strengthen the hair fiber and prevent future damage. So while healing products aren't a total scam, you should know that they're not going to literally reverse the damage brought on by hot tools. 

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. 

We asked consultant trichologist Elizabeth Cunnane Phillips at Philip Kingsley and Chicago-based hairstylist at Maxine Salon Amy Abramite to help us identify the signs of heat-damaged hair. Here, a few physical clues: 

"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." 

If you keep up with regular trims and remove the older, damaged hair, you will be left with hair that looks vibrant and reflects the light, Phillips says. Who doesn't want that?

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. 

Because damaged hair is more susceptible to future breakage, it's important to keep it strong and resilient. Our pick? This leave-in treatment from Olaplex. 

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. 

If you want to learn more about protein treatments and shop our top picks, check out this story. 

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. 

Not sure which product to choose? Here are 14 clean options to get you started. 

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. 

In order to make the most of your look, whether it be styled with hot tools or all-natural, layer on a bit of oil to your tips. "[Hair oils] will assist in smoothing the outer cuticle, which will enhance the appearance and vibrancy of hair," Phillips says. 

If you're exiting your hot tool phase or just want to take better care of your heat-damaged hair, now you have all of the tools, tips, and tricks you need. It's important to recognize when your hair begins to show heat damage so that you can intervene. Follow these expert tips and invest in bond-building and heat-protecting products to nourish and protect your strands as they begin to heal. And if you want to add an extra step, consider incorporating a hair vitamin into your beauty routine.