3 Reasons to Add a Hair Mask for Damaged Hair to Your Beauty Routine

Between washing, heat hair styling and battling the elements, daily wear and tear can leave your hair damaged, weak and looking less than its best. But before you rush off to the salon hollering SOS (save our strands!), consider adding an at-home hair treatment to your hair care routine and using it on a regular basis to get your tresses back on track. Whether you have dull, dry or damaged hair, a multi-tasking hair mask for damaged hair is the fastest and easiest way to take your mane from “meh” to “my, oh my!”

Should I use a hair mask?
The short answer is yes. Here are 3 reasons why you should consider adding a treatments for healthy hair to your beauty arsenal:

1. Not to be confused with deep conditioners, which provide temporary protection and strength to hair, hair masks for damaged hair penetrate deep into the hair shaft, restoring and maintaining your hair’s health.
2. When hair is revitalized at the core, it looks smoother, shinier and livelier on the surface. (And who doesn’t want a glossy, bouncy mane?)
3. Stronger hair breaks less easily, making it easier to manage, too. As a bonus, hair treatment products also offer the perfect excuse to take a few minutes out of your busy schedule to relax and treat yourself.

I’m convinced! But which is the best hair mask for me?

With a dizzying array of restorative hair masks and products on the market, finding one to suit your needs can feel downright overwhelming. While you can always narrow down your search by focusing on your most pressing hair concerns, your best bet when it comes to picking a hair treatment is to choose a restorative hair mask that deals with multiple problems in one shot. That way, you can treat the issues most troublesome to you while tackling any problems that might be lurking under the surface or that may emerge as the seasons change.

Pro pick: L’Oréal Paris Total Repair 5 Restoring Mask

Featuring a rich formula for deep, intense repair, this hair mask for damaged hair also boasts a light and creamy texture to deliver the five benefits of repair (strength, density, vitality, silkiness and shine) without weighing it down. Meanwhile, high-tech microfillers seal breaches in the hair and restore its natural defence barrier to keep it protected from future damage.

How to use a hair mask?

It’s always best to follow the instructions listed on your restorative hair mask, but, as a general rule, hair treatments tend to work best when you give them at least two to three minutes to penetrate the hair shaft. After shampooing, apply an even layer to the hair, focusing on the ends, leave on and then rinse. While some hair treatment products suggest you leave them on for longer than a few minutes, most products usually reach a saturation point at around the 20-minute mark. That said, if you’re enjoying a little time to yourself, there’s no harm in leaving your hair mask on while you kick back prior to rinsing them out. Just cover your hair with a towel turban or shower cap, or simply gather it and clip it in place, sit back and relax.

How often should you use a hair mask?
Because your hair faces the prospect of damage every day, it’s a good idea to use a hair treatment at least once a week. If your hair happens to look and feel especially damaged or you colour or bleach your hair frequently, it might be wise to apply a restorative hair mask—especially one with a lightweight formula—multiple times per week or even after every shampoo. Heat-styling addicts take note: Hair treatments are essential for breathing life back into damaged locks.

Now that you know why, when and how to use treatments for healthy hair, having a good hair day every day is just a mask and rinse away!