Bleaching and straightening can crack cuticle layers,
making them porous, flaky and coarse.
Fix it now. Use a color-depositing glaze once a week to bring back richness. (It works whether or not you color your hair.) These treatments contain sheer pigments and silicone that coat at the cuticle, filling in the jagged areas to restore your tone’s vibrancy.
Prevent future harm. Deep-conditioning masks are like a wheatgrass shot for thirsty, damaged hair. Parched strands soak up the most hydration from shea butter and fatty alcohols (scan labels for cetyl and stearyl alcohols) as well as olive and nut oils. Apply the masks once a week to sopping wet hair, then cover with a damp, hot towel. The heat opens the cuticle, helping the nourishers seep in deeper, says Jet Rhys, a salon owner in San Diego. Wait about 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.