How To Repair Damaged Curly Hair

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If your curls are looking limp, frizzy, or just not bouncing back, this post will help you figure out why and what to do about it.

I’m walking you through my top tips to help repair damaged curly hair and bring your curls and waves back to life.

Whether the damage is from heat, coloring, over-moisturizing, or something else entirely, these steps will guide you toward stronger, healthier hair.

Ready to transform your frizz into defined, bouncy curls and waves? Join my free Quick Start Guide To Mastering Your Curls email course below and be on your way to fabulous curls in just a few steps!

Start Here: Figure Out the Cause

Before you can fix the damage, you need to figure out what’s causing it. Some possibilities:

• Heat styling
• Product overload
• Coloring or chemical processing
• Brushing or rough detangling
• Buildup (especially from co-washing or heavy low-poos)
• Protein overload (dry, brittle hair)
• Hygral fatigue (too much moisture, limp curls)
• Hard water
• Poor diet or dehydration
• Medical conditions like thyroid issues or iron deficiency

Think back to when you started noticing a change in your hair. Were you using a new product line? Did your routine shift?

If you’re experiencing scalp irritation or sudden shedding, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor just to rule out anything internal.

Also, be honest with yourself: are you still using heat tools, brushing dry hair, or frequently dyeing your curls? It’s okay if you do, just know that you’ll need to take extra care to offset the damage.

What Damaged Hair Looks Like

Damaged curly hair often shows up as:

• Excess frizz or fluff
• Brittle or breaking strands
• A sudden loss of curl pattern
• Curls that feel too soft or mushy
• Scalp irritation or buildup

Many times, it’s a protein/moisture imbalance. Too much protein can make hair stiff and prone to breakage. Too much moisture can lead to limp, shapeless curls that frizz easily. And buildup can make it all worse by suffocating the scalp and blocking hydration.

How to Actually Fix It

Once you’ve narrowed down the likely cause, stop doing the thing that might be damaging your hair (or find a gentler version).

Then start rebuilding your hair’s balance with moisture and/or protein, depending on what it needs. Use a clarifying shampoo to reset everything. Get picky about your products. And most importantly, track your progress.

Step-by-Step Repair Routine

Step 1 – Clarify

Use a true clarifying shampoo with ingredients like olefin sulfonate. I like Kinky Curly Come Clean. This removes buildup and resets your hair. If you have hard water, look for a chelating shampoo like Malibu C Hard Water Wellness or try an apple cider vinegar rinse.

Scrub your scalp well, and if you’re dealing with buildup, try adding a tablespoon of sugar to your shampoo.

• Clarify once a month for most, but every 1-2 weeks if you use a lot of styling products or have hard water.
• Avoid cowashing only if you struggle with buildup, your hair and scalp need a reset regularly.

More help: My guide to clarifying curly hair

Step 2 – Deep Condition

For brittle, breaking hair: Use a moisturizing deep conditioner. Add heat (with a cap or warm towel) to help the product penetrate.

For limp, mushy curls: Try a protein-heavy deep conditioning treatment or rice water rinse.

Moisture picks: Innersense Hydrating Masque, Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment
Protein picks: Giovanni Nutrafix, EVOLVh UltraRepair

• Deep condition weekly until you start to see consistent improvement.
• Alternate moisture and protein if you’re unsure of what your hair needs.
• Avoid daily wetting of your hair, which can lead to hygral fatigue and weaken the structure over time.

Avoid strong protein treatments, they can do more damage than good.

Step 3 – Style Smart

Choose styling products that match what your hair needs:

• Too much moisture? Use protein-rich leave-ins and stylers. Avoid creams and heavy butters.
• Too much protein? Layer in lightweight moisture. Try leave-ins and gels that hydrate without buildup.

Check your product labels and aim for balance. And don’t overdo it with layers, two styling products max is plenty.

• Avoid brushing or brush styling if your hair is weak or breaking easily. Use fingers or a wide-tooth comb while your hair is wet and slippery with conditioner.
• Detangle during conditioning, not when dry.
• Use a diffuser on low to medium heat to dry. High heat can cause more damage, especially to fragile ends.
• Let your hair fully dry before manipulating it. This reduces frizz and breakage.

Step 4 – Maintain and Track

Pay close attention to your hair. Take notes every day. Write down which products you used, Consistency is key.

• Clarify at least once a month (maybe weekly in the beginning)
• Deep condition weekly based on what your hair needs
• Protect your hair at night (pineapple, silk pillowcase, or bonnet)
• Avoid heat styling and brushing
• Use protective styles at night like braids or loose buns to minimize friction
• Don’t wet your hair daily—aim for 2-3 times a week if possible to reduce moisture fatigue
• Track your journey: what you used, how your hair responded, and progress photos

You can use my Curly Journey Journal to keep it simple and see results faster.

Best Products for Damaged Curly Hair

These brands tend to be well-balanced and high quality:

• EVOLVh
• Raw Curls
• Mop Top
• The Innate Life
• Bounce Curl
• Jessicurl
• Briogeo
• Innersense

Look for products with beneficial ingredients like:

• Silicones (for protection and smoothness if your hair tolerates them)
• Hydrolyzed proteins (rice, wheat, silk, keratin)
• Panthenol (moisture and strength)
• Aloe vera and glycerin (lightweight hydration)

Want more help choosing the right products for your hair type? Check out my Curly Product Handbook for a breakdown by porosity, texture, and more.

The Truth About Healing Curly Hair

Repairing damage takes time. It likely took years for your hair to get to this point, and it won’t bounce back overnight. But with the right steps and consistent care, you will see your curls return.

Be patient, stay consistent, and give your hair what it truly needs, not what looks trendy online.

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