Over Processed Hair - Broken Off

Buy some Kpak, it will help strengthen your hair, its not cheap but does wonders, there is a review here: http://www.hairdyeforum.com/index.php?topic=1320.0 it can make your hair feel dry, so you'll need to use a moisturising treatment as week. I use Aussie 3minute miracle, but others will have different recommendations.

You can't bleach over processed hair, but you can tone it using a direct dye (the type bee unique sells) mixed with conditioner. You should find more about toners here: http://www.hairdyeforum.com/index.php?topic=1414.0

Also, as you mention wanting a more golden blonde, someone mentioned liking product a couple of days ago, so that could be worth a try: http://www.superdrug.com/Hair/Hair-Colourants/Semi-Permanent/Superdrug-Effects-Honey-Blonde-8-03/p/401048#.U-y1L1bRjwI as its only £1 i don't think you can't go wrong. Just avoid any two part dye, because they will make your hair worse.

I don't know where you stand with your hairdresser, as I've always dyes my hair myself, but i had the same issue a couple of years ago where id over processed my hair and had a lair on the top of my head which had all snapped off. This happened to me before i discovered this forum.

You really need to baby your hair now & you're in a really good place to get some advice!

It would help if you could put some photos up so we can advise you further.

I'm not sure, have you been bleaching to be blonde for the last 5 years?  If so, it sounds like the highlighting you had done probably double- or triple-processed the hair.  If I understand correctly, highlighting uses a higher volume, hence 'stronger', peroxide, so if your hair is already bleached, I can understand how the highlighting had the effect it did.

I agree with everything Sia said, and to reiterate, just stay clear of any colourant you have to mix because putting two parts together most definitely will contain peroxide, which equals more damage.  You certainly don't have to wait to re-colour your hair to a more golden tone.  If you are in the UK, Superdrug's product, as Sia mentioned, has had great reviews on this forum and has a more natural blonding effect than some of the coloured semis that many here use.

And yes, K-Pak is brilliant stuff!  My hair's in relatively good condition at the moment, and I'm using it again regularly just because.  I'm also stretching my washes, trying to do once a week lately.  If you can shampoo less often than you already do, you'll build up natural oils that will help heal the hair a bit.  Also consider co-washing if you don't already, and of course try to find conditioners without silicones.  Let your hair air-dry and try to minimise styling and brushing whilst it's wet.

Stuff you may already know, but all the healthy habits add up!  One last thought... consider trimming the layers a tiny bit.  Taking off the dead and damaged ends doesn't make your hair grow faster, but it does improve the overall condition loads, and you'll feel better about how it looks - it will add some life to your hair.  And since it sounds like the damage is more in the mid-lengths, you won't have to trim the ends much, so you won't be losing any "net" length, so to speak!

Echoing what the others have said, also which products are you using? Getting rid of silicone products will enable better absorption of good ingredients. In terms of hair growth, the only proven things that make my hair grow noticeably are fish oil and green smoothies consumed regularly. The glowing green smoothie is a good place to start, recipe in this link http://kimberlysnyder.net/blog/ggs/

Thanks all for your comments so far and taking the time to reply. I will get pictures uploaded of the damage.

I was told by the hairdressers (that ruined my hair) to only use products brought by them so I changed my shampoo to Swarkofski Repair Damage shampoo and Milkshake Stengthening Mask. I then use the Paul Mitchell Skinny serum as I have very very frizzy hair.

I have ashy/golden toners put on my hair but my hair seems to reject colour and the toner washes off within 3 washes and I am back to being bright blonde again.

I never use a hairdryer just flat iron. I just feel like it will never grow.

I just purchased the Joico mask that you mentioned from Amazon so hopefully that may help. I may purchase the shampoo and conditioner too?

Well, yeah, of course they want you to only use products from them! They make money from that 🙂 I just smile when they tell me rubbish like that and say no.

Most things called serum have loads of silicone in. Some arg an oil would work just as well and be far better in the long run.

Even permanent colour washes off. If it washes off very fast it's a possible indication your hair is badly damaged. Or, the toners are true semis and you have to top them up.

If you want to prevent/avoid any further breakage, you are going to have to stop using the flat irons. Any form of heat styling is too harsh for damaged hair.
If you want something a bit darker than the toners Sia has recommended (which are really good, i have used this range a lot) Wella colour Fresh is a range of toners for blonde hair that doesn't require peroxide. they are not cheap, but the few times I have used them I have had great results.

In addition to all of the other suggestions, I just wanted to say that since your hair snapped mid-length, it might be an idea to get more layers cut in for the mean time.  It will help the broken bits blend, and you can also keep on top of the damaged areas so they don't split the hair even further.

Hi All,
Just wanted to update you. I used the Joico K-PAK reconstructor treatment yesterday. I put in on and wrapped my hair in clingfilm and then a towel over the top and left for 30 minutes. I can't say I've noticed any difference in my hair yet so do you think it will take a few attempts? I read online that if I use this too often, it can cause damage, as I am putting too much protein into my hair, is this true or can I use it everytime I wash my hair (2 days a week).

Also, I brought some of the Superdrug colour effects in honey blonde as suggested. I am a little worried about using it though as it says on the back to not be used on bleached hair? Will my hair break off again? Also, it says to leave for 5 minutes, would you say this is enough time for it to develop?

Many thanks

It is safe for bleached hair if it's the one that doesn't need to me mixed, I don't know why it says not to. Also 5 minutes is much shorter than most of us would leave it on for, I leave semi dye on for at least an hour, preferably longer 🙂

It is perfectly safe to use on bleached hair. The reason a lot of semis say not to use on bleached hair is that bleached hair is more porous so the colour can be much stronger and not wash out in the time stated.
Do a strand test, rinse after 5 minutes, and if the depth of colour isn't what you need leave it for longer. I have never found this range to be very heavily pigmented, and have left them on for hours without issue.
Did you use a rehydrating treatment after the K-pak? It is vital to follow any protein treatments with a deep conditioner.
Protein doesn't suit everyone's hair, and over use can make it brittle, so only use every couple of weeks at most.