How to Restructure Brittle Hair

Brittle hair results from heat damage caused by stresses such as sun exposure, blow dryers, and curling and straightening irons. This dryness makes your hair look frizzy, dull and lifeless. When your hair becomes brittle and weak, you need to restructure it with treatment techniques and make sure it doesn't happen again by using preventative methods. Your treatment will depend on the amount of damage to your hair. Some hair might be just a little brittle and you can restore it with minimal treatment, but some might be completely dried out and you'll need to cut it off. It's always a good idea to go to a salon and get a professional opinion.

You may need to cut off some hair before restructuring it. (Image: Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images)

Get Rid of Dead Hair

First you should schedule a salon visit to get a healthy trim. Removing dead hair and split ends will reduce the amount of damaged and brittle hair on your head right off the bat.

Witch Hazel Treatment

You can make your own brittle-hair treatment solution using witch hazel, which is an herbal astringent. Soak a cotton ball in witch hazel, and then apply it to your scalp, including your hairline and the part in your hair. This removes oil, allowing your hair to better absorb moisture. Rinse with cool water. Dry off your hair using a towel, not a hair dryer, and spray leave-in conditioner on the ends of your hair.

Conditioning Treatment

You can also use a homemade deep conditioning treatment and at least once every week to strengthen and moisturize your hair. According to MarieClaire.com, olive oil, avocado oil and jojoba oil are the best remedial ingredients for frizzy, brittle and damaged locks. For a good homemade conditioning treatment, combine one egg yolk, 2 avocados, 1/2 cup honey and 2 tbsp. olive oil. Massage the treatment into your hair as you would a regular conditioner. Use a plastic cap to cover your head, and leave the conditioner in for at least one hour before rinsing. TotalBeauty.com suggests applying olive oil or neem oil to your hair and then taking a walk in the sunshine. The sun helps your hair absorb the oil, which moisturizes and nurtures the hair with vitamins. You may then need to wash your hair twice or more to remove the olive oil. The oil's moisturizing properties will leave your hair soft and shiny.

Keep Your Hair Healthy

If you want to keep your hair healthy after your conditioning treatment, you'll need to change any unhealthy habits. Cut down on using beauty appliances that damage your hair, such as curling irons and flat irons. Towel-dry instead of blow drying. Avoid perms, hair relaxers and dyeing your hair, because the chemicals used weaken and dry out your follicles. Do not wear your hair in a ponytail too often -- pulling it back like this tends to cause hair breakage. Use a moisturizing shampoo. If your hair continues to be dry and brittle, try washing it every other day instead of every day so you don't wash out the natural oils as frequently. Nutrition and hydration play key roles in hair health. According to Disabled-World.com, fluid deficiency is the main cause of dry, brittle hair. Make sure you drink plenty of water every day and eat healthy foods containing a balance of protein, fat and carbs. Eat foods rich in calcium and vitamins A, C and E, or take supplements.