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When you have an injury, you do physical therapy to heal and prevent future pain, right? The same should go for damaged, "injured" hair. Your strands weaken and break after routine chemical services, heat, and styling. To keep them in tip-top shape between trips to the salon, rehab your hair just like you would an injury: with plenty of TLC.
Our Top Picks
- 1
Best for Dry and Frizzy Hair
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! MegaStrength+ Strengthening Treatment
$44 at Nordstrom$44 at NordstromRead more
- 2
Best for Hair Loss and Breakage
Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum
$86 at actandacre.com$86 at actandacre.comRead more
- 3
Best for Severe Hair Breakage
Living Proof Triple Bond Complex Leave-in Hair Treatment
$45 at Sephora$45 at SephoraRead more
- 4
Best Product for Damaged Dyed Hair
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector
$60 at Sephora$60 at SephoraRead more
- 5
Act+Acre Restorative Conditioning Hair Mask
$38 at actandacre.com$38 at actandacre.comRead more
Show more
Celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist Mia Santiago recommends that everyone keep a few hair repair products in their arsenal, but especially folks who have dyed or bleached hair, use heat regularly, or deal with extra shedding or breakage. These products have varying ingredients and formulations, but generally, they work to infuse moisture and hydration back into the hair to create strength and shine, she says. "Reach for these when your hair feels very dry and brittle—or maybe even before then, for prevention," says Santiago. "Whether from color or heat damage, or just some curls in need of hydration, that’s one sign that your hair may start breaking soon, so it’s time to grab the big guns."
Pro tip from Santiago for anyone with really parched hair: "Towel dry your hair after you shampoo and apply a moisturizing treatment," she says. "Pop on a shower cap and let it sit for an hour or so. The heat from your head will open up the cuticle, allowing the treatment to penetrate the hair shaft." You’re welcome.
Keep reading to find our picks for the very best hair repair products, which consists of Santiago’s favorites, stuff we’ve tried and loved, and bestselling picks from across the internet. This all-encapsulating list includes everything from deep conditioners and overnight masks to scalp serums, treatment mists, and protective hair wraps. Long, strong, healthy hair is a few clicks away.
1Best for Dry and Frizzy Hair
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! MegaStrength+ Strengthening Treatment
1Best for Dry and Frizzy Hair
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! MegaStrength+ Strengthening Treatment
$44 at Nordstrom$44 at Dermstore$44 at Bloomingdale’sCredit: Briogeo
Hero ingredients: Rice water protein, vitamin B5, sweet almond oil, rosehip oil
Briogeo’s in-shower treatment is packed with protein to replenish hair’s moisture. It’s made with curls and coils in mind, but is great for all dry, damaged hair.
2Best for Hair Loss and Breakage
Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum
2Best for Hair Loss and Breakage
Act+Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Serum
$86 at actandacre.comCredit: Act+Acre
Hero ingredients: Apple stem cells, aloe vera, plant-based collagen, bamboo extract
Act+Acre’s serum is very effective for boosting shine, strengthening hair, and encouraging new hair growth. It helps strengthen baby hairs around the hairline, and it feels soothing and hydrating on the scalp post-shampoo.
3Best for Severe Hair Breakage
Living Proof Triple Bond Complex Leave-in Hair Treatment
3Best for Severe Hair Breakage
Living Proof Triple Bond Complex Leave-in Hair Treatment
$45 at Sephora$33 at Walmart$45 at NordstromCredit: Living Proof
Hero ingredients: Encapsulated cellular oil, phytosteryl/octyldodecyl lauroyl glutamate, sunflower seed wax
Here’s a serious lifesaver for anyone with severe damage from heat or hair dye—trust us. If you paid attention in science class, this will impress you. Triple Bond Complex builds all three types of bonds in the hair: hydrogen, ionic, and covalent, to visibly reduce signs of breakage and make hair stronger on the inside, too. Comb it through from shaft to ends before you blow-dry, and you’ll be left with touchably soft hair.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below4Best Product for Damaged Dyed Hair
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector
4Best Product for Damaged Dyed Hair
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector
$60 at Sephora$30 at Nordstrom$90 at DermstoreCredit: Olaplex
Hero ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, vitamin C, aloe vera
Olaplex’s hair systems are cult favorites for a reason. We love No. 3 Hair Perfector for all hair types, especially color-treated hair. The pre-shampoo treatment relies on bond-building technology to reduce breakage, split ends, and frizz caused by chemical services and heat.
5
Act+Acre Restorative Conditioning Hair Mask
5
Act+Acre Restorative Conditioning Hair Mask
$38 at actandacre.comCredit: Act+Acre
Hero ingredients: Castor oil, glycerin, shea butter
This mask is a go-to for hair that needs a little extra replenishing. It’s moisturizing without being heavy, the tube lasts a long time, and it smells divine. After use, it’s much easier to detangle hair.
6Best Drugstore Product
Pantene Pro-V Intensive Repair Rescue Shots
6Best Drugstore Product
Pantene Pro-V Intensive Repair Rescue Shots
$8 at Amazon$15 at WalmartCredit: Pantene
Hero ingredients: Panthenol, dimethicone, glycerin
Protection doesn’t always come at a steep price point. These conveniently dosed in-shower ampoules from Pantene deliver a surge of moisturizing ingredients to parched hair without weighing it down.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below7Best Protective Oil
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Molecular Repair Hair Oil
7Best Protective Oil
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Molecular Repair Hair Oil
$65 at SephoraCredit: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience
Hero ingredients: Peptides, avocado oil, squalane
Here’s another strengthening hair oil that’s ideal for frizzy, dry hair. Santiago personally recommends it for protecting against heat and styling damage. "K18’s Molecular Hair Repair is a phenomenal, weightless oil for repairing and protecting hair," she says.
8Best Hair Repair Product for Bleached Hair
Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Hair Mask
8Best Hair Repair Product for Bleached Hair
Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Hair Mask
$73 at Violet GreyCredit: Shu Uemura
Hero ingredients: Rice extract, dimethicone
Santiago recommends this luxurious mask for when your hair needs a little extra TLC. "The scent alone is sent from the gods, but the way your hair feels after the treatment is heavenly," she says. It’s great for ultra-processed, bleached hair, too.
9
Nécessaire The Scalp Serum
9
Nécessaire The Scalp Serum
$65 at Sephora$58 at NordstromCredit: Nécessaire
Hero ingredients: Peptides, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, celery seed extract
This serum from Necessaire is a game changer for improving any scalp conditions and creating strong hair from root to tip. It’s fragrance- and dye-free for anyone with sensitive skin. It has a watery consistency that doesn’t make hair feel crunchy or oily once it dries. You may experience baby hairs growing in thicker, less hair shedding, and more shine.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below10
Ceremonia Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil
10
Ceremonia Aceite de Moska Pre-Shampoo Scalp & Hair Oil
$28 at Sephora$28 at ShopBopCredit: Ceremonia
Hero ingredients: Passionfruit oil, aloe vera, castor oil
Latinx-owned Ceremonia creates ritual-worthy hair products with coarse, thick, curly hair in mind. This hair oil is ultra-nourishing and fights scalp build-up and flakiness to promote strong, healthy hair growth. Not to mention, it smells like a tropical daydream.
11
amika Dream Routine Overnight Hydrating Hair Mask
11
amika Dream Routine Overnight Hydrating Hair Mask
$32 at Amazon$32 at SephoraCredit: Amika
Hero ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, coconut water, polyglutamic acid
Next time you do an overnight face mask, do an overnight hair mask with it for double the self-care. "Amika’s overnight mask is bomb," says Santiago. "It’s great for hydrating and keeping the hair moisturized for literal days." It’s formulated with lightweight hydrators so your strands don’t look flat and feel heavy.
12Best Treatment Spray
Climaplex Multi Benefit Styling Spray
12Best Treatment Spray
Climaplex Multi Benefit Styling Spray
Shop at CVSCredit: Climaplex
Hero ingredients: Grape skin extract, coconut oil, shea butter, amino acids
Spray formulations are easy to use and great if you have oily hair, as they tend to be more lightweight. This spray from Climaplex is an excellent post-wash day conditioning detangler. It also smooths the hair cuticle, thus fighting frizz and repairing damaged hair.
Advertisement – Continue Reading Below13
Rizos Curls Vitamin C Hair Repair Mask
13
Rizos Curls Vitamin C Hair Repair Mask
$30 at Ulta BeautyCredit: Rizos Curls
Hero ingredients: Grapefruit oil, orange oil, murumuru butter, vitamin C, argan oil, shea butter
Curly girls, this one’s for you. Rizos Curls’s deep conditioning mask leaves curls, coils, and waves bouncy and soft. It’s supercharged with antioxidants and feels buttery upon application.
14Best Sleep Scarf
Stay On Satin Hair Wrap Anti-Breakage Head Scarf
14Best Sleep Scarf
Stay On Satin Hair Wrap Anti-Breakage Head Scarf
$8 at AmazonCredit: Stay On Satin
For natural hairstyles, curly, and coily hair, the power of a protective night cap can’t be overstated. The smooth satin of this option protects against friction, which leads to breakage and frizz. It’s fortified with conditioner for even more protection.
15
Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask
15
Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask
$52 at SephoraCredit: Vegamour
Hero ingredients: Marula oil, moringa seed oil, milk thistle
This new, buzzy, deeply moisturizing hair mask from Vegamour is formulated with the brand’s proprietary vegan keratin to strengthen brittle hair. Reviewers note that it works for thick and fine hair alike, leaving it bouncy and hydrated.
