Hair Maven

Damaged hair moves through stages, starting with a dry, frizzy, dull cuticle and progressing to exposed, weakened cortex and finally severely deconstructed strands that feel gummy or mushy when wet. Early damage can be improved with moisture, heat protection, and gentle care, mid-stage damage benefits from protein treatments and trims, and severe damage usually requires a big chop and a fresh start. Recognizing high porosity, loss of elasticity, rough “fried” texture, and frizz are key to choosing the right routine before damage becomes irreversible.