Repairing Catastrophic Hair Damage

CATASTROPHY The nightmare of catastrophic hair damage usually involves chemicals—relaxers, perms, bleaches, dyes—and over processing.  Back in the spring, I had the bright idea to use a mild chemical relaxer to 'loosen the tightness' of my curly hair. Big mistake.

Blame it on the wrong chemical strength or leaving the relaxer on too long…whatever, the result was catastrophic damage and the signs were unmistakable. When wet, my hair was porous, matted, tangled. When dry it was rough, lacking elasticity, and brittle. Frantically I used my entire arsenal of deep conditioning treatments but they only produced a temporary improvement. Long story short, I had to cut off two years of growth. 

SOLUTION Such drastic measures might have been avoided had I known of a two phase, professional 'shock' treatment from L'Oreal's Kerastase Collection:  Concentrate Vita- Ciment, a keratin protein reconstructor, and Aqua Oleum, a moisturizing conditioner with extracts of avocado and jojoba.  "These products are effective because Kerastace has engineered the molecular weight of the active ingredients so they reach into the hair's core and rebuild the internal substance of the hair fibre," explained Tom Knapp,a Colour Technician at Salon Daniel where I had the treatment.  This is important because relaxers and chemical hair products work by penetrating the hair shaft and literally rearranging the internal molecular structure. To repair this type of catastrophic damage you have to get right back in there at the molecular level to affect any true repair.

After shampooing, they first apply the Kerastace Vita-Ciment Concentrate, a liquid serum from a glass ampoule, and massage it into the entire length of the hair, especially the most weakened areas for 5 minutes. Next comes the Kerastase Aqua Oleum, sprayed on for 5 minutes before rinsing. Immediately, my hair was detangled, silky and soft. Each ampoule cost $25.

For 10 minutes of treatment, the results are truly jaw dropping, akin to transforming straw into silk. Good to know next time disaster strikes.