10 Common Hair Problems And Expert Tips For Dealing With Them

By Emily Arata & Powered By L’Oreal Professional Products Division

For most people, hair is a source of confusion. You try everything you can to keep it looking beautiful and feeling healthy, but it betrays you with frizz, breakage, and general lack of volume.

Backed by the advice of our Hair.com experts, we’re breaking down 10 common hair problems,how to solve them, and a few must-have formulas from the L'Oréal portfolio of products. Re-mane calm! You’ve got this.

The Hair Problem: Damaged Hair

The fix: Extra TLC, both in the salon and at home. Whether you’re a blonde addict or just made the mistake of heat styling without protection a few times, you wound up with hair that feels about as dry as a packet of instant ramen noodles. Not great! Luckily, experts help their clients start the journey back to healthy hair every day.

Start by visiting a stylist that you trust. They may be able to trim away severely fried ends and apply an in-salon repair treatment. At home, try Biolage R.A.W. Recover Shampoo and Conditioner to help restore stressed, sensitized hair to its best.

Related: What Causes Hair Damage And How You Can Minimize It

The Hair Problem: Dry Hair

The fix: Moisturizing hair care. Women with tight curl patterns or coarse hair often find themselves waging an endless war against dryness. No matter how it starts, the key to dry hair is moisture.

Before trying anything extreme, consult with a stylist about potentially investing in an in-salon service like L’Oréal Professionnel’s Powermix. At home, use salon-quality formulas designed to target the appearance and feel of dry strands. We’re particularly obsessed with Pureology’s Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner.

Related: Dry Hair: Causes, Preventions, And 9 Expert Care Tips

The Hair Problem: Frizzy Hair

The fix: Humidity-proof hair care. Styling 101 teaches us that hair suffering from frizz is probably in need of moisture since it’s seeking it from the outside environment. To combat those frizzy tendrils that won’t stay put, try a formula like Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Huile Originale for long-lasting frizz control. If frizz continues to plague you, ask your stylist about investing in a keratin treatment.

Related: The Ultimate Guide To Frizz: What Causes It, How To Manage It, And More

The Hair Problem: Flat Hair

The fix: A styler that brings the volume. Got hair that just can’t stand up to the pressure? This is the moment when volumizing mousse can be a real hero. Far from the crunchy formulas of decades past, Redken Full Frame 07 All-Over Volumizing Mousse is a tried-and-true remedy for limp strands.

Related: Flat Hair: Why It Happens And How To Pump Up The Volume

The Hair Problem: Oily Hair

The fix: An oil control system that actually works. No one wants a head that looks like an oil spill, which is why it’s so frustrating to feel like you’ve never found a hair care product that really works. Our experts recommend investing in a formula that actually absorbs oil while refreshing your hair between washes, like Redken’s Pillow Proof Blow Dry Two Day Extender Dry Shampoo.

If you’re still struggling with too much oil, see a stylist. He or she may be able to recommend a shampoo routine that helps normalize your hair over time.

Related: How To Manage Greasy Hair

The Hair Problem: Split Ends

You try your best to maintain healthy hair, but if you’re a heat styling addict you’ll almost always end up with split ends. While those ends can’t ever be glued back together, you can try the next best thing as a temporary fix: Redken Extreme Length Sealer Split-end Treatment. When you really want to start fresh, you’ll need to see you stylist for a cut.

Related: How To Get Rid Of Split Ends...The Right Way!

The Hair Problem: Hair that won’t grow.

The fix: Minimizing breakage with protective hair care. If you’re aiming for mermaid locks, not seeing a significant change week after week is a real bummer. However, the fix might be easier than you imagine. Consult a stylist to make sure you’re not experiencing extreme breakage that’s really just masquerading as hair that won’t grow.

Related: How Long Does It Really Take For Hair To Grow? We Investigate

The Hair Problem: Flyaways

The fix: A styler you can rely on. Winter brings with it gray days, sniffly noses, and dry air, but the worst offense it commits is against your hair. Staticky sweaters mean flyaways—and what’s a girl to do about that?

Our experts advise sticking a travel size hairspray in your bag for emergency static situations. Matrix Travel Size Biolage Styling Finishing Spritz Hairspray is about to become your best friend.

Related: How To Get Rid Of Flyaway Hair In 9 Easy Steps

The Hair Problem: Dull Hair

The fix: Shine-based hair care. Bring on the gloss! We’re obsessed with in-salon hair glazes and glosses, which can help create a reflective glow. In your own home styling routine, investing in a shine serum like Pureology Hydrate Shine Max Serum is the right move to make.

Related: How To Get Shiny Hair In 3 Easy Steps

The Hair Problem: Thinning

The fix: A visit to an expert. While stylists can work many hair miracles (including masking thinning spots with artful cuts and updos), they cannot treat hair loss. If you’re beginning to see scalp through your hair and feel upset about the amount you seem to be losing, consult a dermatologist.

In the meantime, creative styling can help you mask thinning and feel confident.

Related: What Causes Hair Thinning In Women And The Best Ways To Hide It

For personalized advice about common hair problems, use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.