How to Restore Hair Elasticity

If your hair is hard to curl or breaks easily when brushing, combing or styling, you might have poor hair elasticity. Hair with proper elasticity is strong with a healthy cortex, allowing it to stretch without breaking and easily spring back to its original shape. Elasticity can be lost due to age, heat damage from curling irons, blow dryers and the sun or chemical damage caused by relaxers, dyes, highlights and perms. Reduce damage and build strength to help turn weak, brittle strands into a mane of bouncy, shiny locks.

Step 1

Shampoo hair as directed. Thoroughly rinse to avoid residue.

Step 2

Apply a keratin or vegetable protein reconstructor to the hair to help build hair strength. Leave the reconstructor on the hair as directed. Time limits can vary from 2 minutes to 1 hour based upon the strength of the reconstructor. Rinse the reconstructor out of the hair.

Step 3

Apply a moisturizing conditioner to your hair, leaving on as directed. If the hair is severely damaged or a strong reconstructor was used, a deep conditioning treatment may be needed. This involves leaving a deep conditioner on the hair for thirty minutes to one hour. Rinse the conditioner out after the appropriate amount of time has elapsed.

Step 4

Blow dry hair or allow it to air dry. Let hair air dry as often as possible as blow drying can cause further damage and loss of elasticity.

Step 5

Style your hair as usual. After treatment, you should notice that your hair has regained some elasticity and looks softer and more supple.

Things You'll Need

• Shampoo

• Keratin or vegetable protein reconstructor

• Moisturizing conditioner

Warning

It is important to follow the instructions on the bottle of the reconstructor that you use, as they all differ in strength and conditioning methods.