Prevent & Repair Mechanical Damage

It’s Summer—and it’s hot! As much as I’d love to let my mermaid hair flow, there’s always a rubber band or clip within reach. Even when I manage to outsmart the humidity, my extensions start to feel like a fur scarf wrapped around my neck and claustrophobia begins to set in. A messy J.Lo bun can pull double duty—housework and a night out—but let’s be honest: the damage from tight clips, braids, and rubber bands is just as frustrating as watching a fresh blowout get ruined by one drop of rain.

Mechanical Damage: physical harm caused by friction, tension, or trauma to the hair shaft.

Hair comes in all textures - fine, thick, course, soft- and what protects one head of hair can damage another. Protective styling isn’t about braids and buns; it’s about minimizing stress on your strands while preserving health and length by preventing mechanical damage, heat damage, color, breakage, and daily wear and tear.

Let’s begin with BEST PRACTICES:

1. Don’t brush wet hair with just anything.

Recommendations: Beauty By Earth

2. Avoid tight elastics. Use silk scrunchies or spiral ties to avoid snapping strands. Using hair clips to create french twist tucking in ends for protection. Using heatless waves for styling.

3. Trim regularly. Split ends climb, cutting 1/4 inch every 8 to 10 weeks helps retain length in the long run.

4. Limit heat. Use a heat protection every single time you blow dryer flat iron. Aim for no more than one to two times per week and don’t be afraid to use lower heat for more susceptible hair (fine or over processed)

Recommendations:

• Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray:This spray is known for its ability to protect hair from heat damage while also providing smoothing and detangling benefits. 

• Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector:A popular choice for its ability to strengthen and protect hair from heat styling, while also improving shine and manageability. 

• Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray:This spray is particularly effective for those with frizzy or damaged hair, helping to create a sleek, smooth blowout and protect against humidity. 

• TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray:A budget-friendly option that provides good heat protection and helps tame frizz. 

  

  Great for Daily Wear:

1. Loose braids or soft buns

2. Messy topknots with silk scrunchies.

3. Claw clip updos

Bedtime Routine:

1. Loose braid or low bun

2. Heatless curls using satin rods or soft rollers

3. Overnight wraps, silk caps and silk pillows. Due to their smooth surface, which reduces friction and helps retain moisture, leading to less breakage, tangling, and frizz. The reduced friction also helps preserve hairstyles and blowouts longer. 

4. Use microfiber towels. They absorb moisture quicker, reduce frizz and breakage.

/Kit•sch/ Brand offers several hair protective accessories from pillows, clips, to soft rollers and towels. Make sure to check out my Amazon Store for recommendations. You can simply click the Shop the Blog link below.

Hair breakage treatments typically fall into two camps: hydration and protein. According to celebrity stylist Cristiano, the key is balance—use hydrating products daily to keep strands soft and supple, and rotate in protein treatments occasionally to strengthen without risking dryness or brittleness from buildup.

Think of weekly hair treatments like self-care Sundays for your strands. If your hair’s been through it—heat styling, chemical processing, color, or just life—deep conditioning or masking weekly isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Here’s why:

Deep Hydration – Damaged hair is thirsty. Deep conditioners and masks go beyond surface-level moisture, penetrating the hair shaft to restore softness and strength.

Recommendations: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask, and Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask.

Repair + Strengthen – From bond-builders to protein treatments, weekly masks help rebuild internal damage, reduce breakage, and minimize split ends.

Recommendations: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

Defense Mode – They coat the hair in a protective barrier, shielding it from future stress like heat tools, sun, and chemical exposure.

Recommendations: Briogeo Don’t despair, repair!

Scalp Love – Healthy hair starts at the scalp. Many treatments nourish the roots, creating an ideal environment for growth and stronger strands.

Recommendations: Nutrafol Build-Up Blocker Scalp Exfoliating Hair Mask

Curly hair: Pattern Transition Mask

Fine hair: Quai Treatment Masks for fine and medium hair.

Bottom line: treat your hair like it’s on a wellness journey too.

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