Starting Over After Hair Damage: My Journey to Healthy Hair Growth

ByTonya

Hair journeys aren’t always perfect. Sometimes, we have to start over and that’s okay. If you’ve ever dealt with breakage, shedding, or heat damage, I want to share my story to encourage you.

I began focusing on my own hair care in 2013. At the time, my hair was shoulder length, and my only goal was health, not length. What I learned then still shapes how I care for my hair today.

My First Healthy Hair Routine (2013–2021)

When I worked in an office every day, I kept things simple:

  • I would wet my hair, slick it back, oil my ends, and tuck it into a bun.
  • I sealed my ends daily to lock in moisture.
  • I trimmed only 3–4 times in about 8 years.

As a result, my hair grew like never before. By leaving my hair alone, keeping my ends sealed, and trimming only when needed (about every other year), I retained the most length I had ever experienced.

April 2022

When Things Changed (Postpartum + Heat Damage)

After having my youngest child in 2021, my routine shifted. Working from home meant I stopped paying as much attention to my hair.

Some of the biggest mistakes I made were:

  • Stopping my end-oiling routine
  • Letting my hair stay dry for days at a time
  • Flat ironing more frequently
  • Co-washing with a new conditioner that caused excessive shedding and breakage

Over time, my hair became brittle, fragile, and thin. In particular, the heat damage was especially unforgiving. Watching clumps of hair come out in the shower was heartbreaking.

Starting Over (January 2025)

May 2025
July 2025

By early 2025, I had enough. I decided to return to the basics – the same routine that had given me such strong, healthy hair years before.

The first thing I did was cut out the conditioner that my hair clearly didn’t like. I immediately saw a difference: my hair looked and felt healthier almost overnight.

I also reintroduced the products and steps that always worked best for me.

My Current Healthy Hair Routine (2025 and Beyond)

Now, I’m intentional about rebuilding my strands and growing my hair healthier and stronger than ever before. My updated routine includes:

  • Rotating between washing and co-washing
  • Weekly hair masks for deep hydration
  • Protein treatments to strengthen my strands
  • My homemade hair oil blend for scalp and ends
  • Journaling my routine and progress to stay consistent

Consistency, patience, and listening to my hair are the keys.

Lessons Learned About Hair Damage & Recovery

  1. Heat is not worth it – occasional styling is fine, but constant flat ironing weakens the strands.
  2. Not all conditioners are created equal – listen to your hair if a product causes shedding or dryness.
  3. Moisture and sealing ends matter – keeping ends moisturized prevents breakage and helps retain length.
  4. Consistency wins – the simplest routine often works best.
  5. It’s never too late to start over – your hair can bounce back with care and patience.

Final Thoughts

If you’re dealing with hair damage, breakage, or shedding, know that you’re not alone. Starting over after hair damage can feel overwhelming, but your hair can recover.

I’m proof that with the right routine, patience, and intentional care, you can rebuild your strands and see progress again.

Your hair isn’t misbehaving – it’s communicating. Listen to it, and it will thrive.

I’m excited to continue documenting my journey and I hope my story inspires you to give your own hair the consistency and love it needs.

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