The present invention relates to a method for treating damaged hair, where the hair is chemically treated, comprising the steps of: a) contacting the hair with a shampoo composition, the shampoo comprising: from about 5% to about 50% of an anionic surfactant; from about 0.025% to about 5% by weight of a synthetic cationic polymer having a cationic charge density from about 2 meq/gm to about 7 meq/gm, wherein the synthetic cationic polymer forms lyotropic liquid crystals upon combination with the anionic surfactant; and water; and b) rinsing the composition from the hair, wherein following the treatment, the surface energy of the hair is reduced, as compared to that measured prior to the treatment.