A chemical cut is the result of extreme wear and tear on the hair that has received some chemicals, but there are ways to restore the hair,
First of all, if you have a habit of doing chemical treatments on your hair, make sure you take the necessary precautions to avoid serious damage like a chemical cut. This is the name given to the disruption of strands that occurs after receiving chemicals, which can lead to breakage and even hair loss.
Now, if the chemical cut has already occurred, it’s time to learn how to treat your hair to restructure it. Unfortunately, the damage caused by this destruction is irreversible, because if the hair has fallen or broken, there is no way to recover it. However, it is possible to help your hair restructure and there are ways to avoid another chemical cut.
Therefore, check out in this article everything you need to know about chemical cutting, how to avoid it and how to take care of your locks to restore the health of your hair.
What is chemical cutting
Chemical cutting is the result of intense and aggressive wear on the hair, where strands break or fall out, depending on the case. This wear is generally caused by the excessive use of chemicals, such as straightening, bleaching, dyeing, among others.
By the way, it can also be caused by poor application of these products, leaving them on the locks for too long or using one that is too strong. Sometimes, the reason may also be the incompatibility of chemicals, that is, when one chemical process is carried out over another or in a short period of time.
In short, all of these factors can lead to hair disruption. As a result of this, the strands become fragile and weak, causing breakage or even falling out, in cases where the chemical was applied to the roots.
Most of the time, the breakage occurs exactly or very close to the boundary between the natural part of the hair and the part where the chemical was applied. However, this does not mean that the hair will undergo a chemical cut during the chemical procedure or immediately after, although it is recurrent. Often, the breakup only occurs days later.
How to recognize that your hair has been chemically cut
The first thing to do is to constantly observe the appearance of your hair after the procedure, be it straightening, bleaching, dyeing, whatever. In some more serious cases, the hair does not show any prior signs and simply breaks immediately, this occurs when the wear is very extreme and aggressive. Otherwise, it is possible to notice some signs and start treating the locks. Among the main signs of chemical cutting are:
- Loss of shine;
- Rough texture;
- Threads that are brittle or fall apart when touched;
- Double or triple tips;
- Elastic threads with a “rubbery” texture;
- Dry and “split” ends;
- Breakage or loss of wires.
How to avoid a chemical cut
Generally, when it comes to chemical processes, there is little care. Therefore, make sure you are taking all necessary precautions to protect your hair. As the damage is not always minimal and repairable, it can lead to more serious wear, such as chemical cutting.
To begin with, it is important that the professional who takes care of your locks knows your hair’s history with chemicals, which types and how often you use them. In fact, avoid carrying out procedures one after the other or at short intervals. Wait months between one chemical treatment and another, but don’t stop with hydration and nutrition, in order to keep your hair nourished and resistant.
Most importantly, before any chemical procedure, perform a strand test. This is a simple technique capable of ensuring that the threads are strong enough for the products and, thus, avoiding damage. The strand test is done as follows:
- Firstly, the test must be carried out at least 48 hours in advance of the procedure to be performed;
- Start by taking a section of hair (usually a section from the back of the head is used, this way, if there is damage, it will not be exposed.)
- Apply the products and wait about 45 minutes;
- Wash and dry as usual;
- Observe the strand, if the strands show any of the symptoms mentioned above, do not continue with the process.
Depending on the case, it is also possible to prepare and treat the hair for a while and then test it again to see if it will be suitable. In any case, talk to your hairdresser and agree on the measures to be taken. However, don’t venture into hair chemistry at home if you are not experienced in it.
How to restore hair
In conclusion, if you notice some or most of the symptoms above, let’s move on to treatment. Remembering that there is no way to reverse the chemical cut. The treatment is just to control the situation, ensure that the hair grows strong and looks beautiful and healthy despite the wear and tear it has suffered. By the way, when your hair starts to break, the best option is to cut it a little. This is because there is nothing to do about the hairs that have already lost their structure.
Therefore, we have prepared below tips and guidelines for you to restore the health of your locks:
1. Hair schedule after chemical cutting
The main recommendation is the hair schedule. It is an intensive care routine to restore nutrients to the hair and hydrate it. Simultaneously, rebuilding and recomposing the hair.
2. Cut
It is necessary to eliminate the unhealthy and worn out part to get rid of that damaged appearance.
3. Wetting to alleviate the damage caused by chemical cutting
So-called humidification is the application of vegetable oils to the hair to revitalize it. 100% vegetable oils are used and generally applied before bathing or before going to bed.
4. Hot vacation
Your locks will need time to breathe, so avoid straighteners, hair dryers, curling irons, etc.
5. Chemistry vacation
Similarly, no chemicals on fragile strands. Continue with hydration and nutrition, but nothing with chemicals as components. Otherwise, hair that was already unstructured could wear out even more.
6. Take care of your scalp after chemical cutting
After a chemical cut, the hair bulb may need nourishment as well. To do this, carry out detox treatments such as moisturizing, exfoliation and always massage when washing. These are ways to make the next hairs grow healthy.
7. Neutralize the PH with apple cider vinegar
This is a homemade recipe to correct the PH of hair that has suffered from a chemical cut. Apple cider vinegar is a neutralizing substance, therefore, it is capable of rebalancing the PH of the hair. Consequently, sealing the cuticles and interrupting the harmful effect of the chemicals that were applied there.
For this recipe you will need 200 ml of cold water and 4 tablespoons of vinegar. To apply, wash your hair first and remove excess water with a towel. Then, spread the mixture through your hair and leave for 5 minutes, then rinse well and finish as desired.
An additional good tip is to use finishers, in addition to making the hair more attractive and shiny, they hydrate and protect. As for the hair recovery process, you will need to be very patient, it can take up to 2 years for it to recover. But don’t despair, continue treating your hair without rushing and it will soon return to its original appearance.
Finally, if the treatment options are unsuccessful or if the hair loss and breakage persists for a long time, see a dermatologist. From then on, a medical evaluation will be necessary and, probably, the use of medication and not just cosmetics.
After all, did you enjoy better understanding how a chemical cut happens? So, also check out about broken hair.
Source: Salon Line, All Things Hair, Left Cosméticos, Beleza Extraordinária.
Images: Blog Like Cosméticos, Beauty Color, Beauty Fair, Fik Bella, Espaço Frei Caneca, Madeixa, Beauty and Fashion Website.
