How long does it take to repair damaged curls?

Prevention is key when it comes to healthy hair, but in a society where we are encouraged to straighten our hair and use cheap, low quality products, we often have to reverse years of damage before we can start to see our true curl patterns. In the past, there has been a lack of education for both those with curly hair and also professional stylists, so it’s no wonder we’ve been doing all the wrong things for so long! UKS was created in order to fill this void, and finally provide that education so that people don’t feel as though their only option is to straighten their hair everyday.

The time it takes for your curls to repair can vary, depending on the cause of the damage and how severe it is.

For those who are transitioning from chemical straightening, this can be difficult. You can’t “undo” chemical straightening because the bonds of your hair have been permanently broken. You will need to grow out your hair until it is at a length that you are comfortable to get the big chop, and then remove all of the old chemical straightening in your hair. Until you do cut the lengths off though, you can start using curl-friendly products immediately, but may need to wear your hair up in an upstyle most days if you don’t want it to be noticeable, especially if your natural texture is very curly.

When transitioning from low-quality to high-quality curl products, you will notice a huge difference immediately if you are following the correct methods. However, keep in mind that your hair will continue to progress after every wash, especially if you have a lot of silicone build-up (often found in low-quality products). Take monthly photos of your hair, and you’ll be surprised at the difference in such a short amount of time.

If your hair is damaged due to bleaching, heat-damage from straighteners, or irregular haircuts (we get it- you’ve been too scared to find a good hairdresser that knows your curls!) then it is advised that you get a decent cut that removes as much breakage as possible, and then invest in great hair masks that can repair the damage as soon as possible. The type of hair mask you use will depend on the condition of your hair- choosing just any hair mask may not get to the source of the problem and can just prolong the awkward stages of transitioning your curls. For further guidance around this please see our Porosity Guide blog.