The 4 Types of Hair Damage and How to Repair Them Effectively

True hair transformation begins with an accurate diagnosis. Understanding the specific cause of damage (chemical, thermal, mechanical, or environmental) is essential to restoring strength, shine, and client trust. RE/START™ by Revlon Professional® reimagines professional care with LipidBond Filler Technology, which reverses both visible and internal fiber damage. With multiuse, vegan formulas for salon and home, the RE/START™ Bond Repair line, which includes the in-salon-exclusive Pro Care System, offers flexible, high-performance care that helps keep the hair strong, shiney, and beautifully healthy. Are you ready to step into the future of a total hair transformation? Then read on. 

Chemical Damage 

Chemical damage through technical services such as bleaching, coloring, relaxing, or perming remains one of the most common concerns encountered by clients. This type of damage compromises the hair’s internal architecture. You’ll recognise it in the form of high porosity, loss of elasticity, pronounced dryness, and structural fragility.  

The solution lies in a twofold approach. First, restore hair integrity with bond-multiplying systems like our RE/START™ Bond Repair line. Featuring four key technologies in one, it delivers up to 10x smoother and 12x stronger hair.* Our Damage Reversing Intensive Mask is an ideal treatment, deeply penetrates the hair fiber to fill damaged areas of the cortex and rebuild inner strength across the hair structure. 

*When using the RE/START Bond Repair Pre-wash + Leave-in Hair Treatment as the final step in the routine. Provides up to 72 hours of frizz control. 

Mechanical Damage 

Mechanical damage, while less chemically aggressive, can be just as harmful to hair fiber health. It stems from everyday habits like harsh brushing, towel-drying with friction, overly tight hairstyles, and improper detangling. Visible signs include a frayed texture, mid-shaft breakage, and split ends. The first step to addressing this is education. Clients greatly benefit from learning to use wide-tooth combs, breakage-reducing accessories, and detangling sprays. In addition, the RE/START Bond Repair conditioner can be highly beneficial, as it helps to detangle hair more easily and reduce breakage. 

Thermal damage 

Thermal damage occurs from the frequent or improper use of heat styling tools. Straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers, especially when used without heat protection, strip the hair of moisture and compromise its internal structure. Typical signs include reduced elasticity, loss of curl definition, and coarse, brittle ends. 

Always recommend the use of thermal protectants, followed by deep conditioning masks and bond-repairing treatments like our Anti-Split Ends Shine Repairing Drops. This dual-action repairing serum-to-oil helps balance the scalp microbiome* and seal visibly split ends. It provides heat protection up to 220ºC, prevents and reduces split ends, and neutralizes the dull appearance of damaged hair—for a glass hair look. It’s formulated with omega-9 and replenishing oils, and it’s 100% vegan. 

Client education is crucial. Guiding people on care and styling, optimal heat settings, frequency of use, and the importance of protective layering reinforces healthy habits beyond the salon. 

*Instrumental test on split ends. 

Environmental Damage 

Environmental damage may often go undetected until it becomes visible through signs such as dull color, rough cuticle surface, fading tones, and persistent dehydration. The culprits (UV radiation, pollution, saltwater, chlorine, and seasonal temperature shifts) affect all hair types and textures.  

One standout in the fight against environmental damage is the Bond Repair Shot, an in-salon treatment packed with antioxidants. Designed to target and repair compromised hair bonds, it strengthens the hair fiber from within. 

A New Era in Fiber Recovery: RE/START™ Bond Repair range 

The RE/START™ Bond Repair range marks a breakthrough in how hair professionals approach hair damage. Powered by LipidBond Filler Technology, this advanced system delivers measurable results across up to four layers of the hair fiber through a synergistic blend of four high-performance technologies: 

1. Keratech Bond Repair Technology: Reconnects broken keratin chains, boosting fiber strength by up to 12 times.*
    

1. Hair Moisture Filler Technology: Deeply replenishes and repairs the cortex for hair that’s up to 6 times more hydrated.*
    

1. Lipid Layer Replenisher Technology: Nourishes the lipid layer, providing up to 72 hours of frizz control.*
    

1. Acidic Technology: Seals the cuticle, resulting in hair that is up to 10 times smoother.* 

After just one use, up to 50% of internal micro-cracks are visibly repaired, setting a new standard in fiber restoration. 

*Results based on using the RE/START Bond Repair Pre-wash + Leave-In Hair Treatment as the final step in the regimen. Comparison: bleached untreated hair vs. bleached treated hair. 

Inside the RE/START™ Bond Repair System: Targeted Care for Damaged Hair 

The RE/START™ Bond Repair System offers a comprehensive range of products, each designed to strengthen, protect, and transform damaged hair. Here’s a closer look at the key formulas and their benefits: 

• Pre-Wash + Leave-In Hair Treatment: This dual-action, damage-reversing treatment repairs hair at the core and can be used as a pre-wash or leave-in. Silicone-free and 100% vegan.
   

• Damage Reversing Gentle Cleanser: This dual-action gentle cleanser helps balance the scalp microbiome and repair weakened hair at the core. Sulfate surfactant-free and 100% vegan.
   

• Damage Reversing Melting Conditioner: This dual-action lightweight conditioner repairs weakened hair at the core, instantly conditions, and rebuilds broken bonds. 100% vegan.
   

• Damage Reversing Intensive Mask: This intensive dual-action filler mask repairs weakened hair at the core, fills damaged areas of the cortex, and rebuilds inner strength across the hair structure. Silicone-free and 100% vegan.
   

• Anti-Split Ends Shine Repairing Drops: This dual-action repairing serum-to-oil prevents and reduces split ends, neutralizes the dull appearance of damaged hair, and provides heat protection up to 220ºC for a glass hair look. 100% vegan. 

These multi-use, vegan formulas work together to reinforce the hair fiber, improve manageability, making them ideal for clients with all types of damaged hair. 

RE/START™: A Haircare Revolution 

This isn’t just about repair, it’s about total hair transformation, driven by scientific precision and inspired by skincare innovation. RE/START™ delivers results your clients can both see and feel: stronger, smoother, healthier-looking hair from the very first service. Step into the future of professional hair repair by offering your clients a complete care experience with in-salon rituals and at-home treatments from the RE/START™ range. 

Get even more tips and tricks by visiting our 24/7 educational platform, #AlwaysOn (for clients only, so click the link to become one). You can also check out our Revlon Pro Color World Mobile App for professional color tools.  

Need supplies? Visit Revlon ProShop for all your hair care needs!