How To Treat Dry Hair Properly
Dry hair can be defined as hair that’s lost its ability to attract and retain moisture, it feels dry to the touch and looks dull and lifeless. Dry hair is characterized by a dual deficiency in moisture and lipids (sebum), which alters its elasticity and suppleness.
How does dry hair look like:
- dry hair is fragile
- dry hair has split ends
- looks coarse and wiry
- dry hair looks frizzy
- dry hair is difficult to comb and brush
- dry hair breaks easily
- dry hair isn’t elastic
- feels rough and dry to a touch
- dry hair is difficult to style
- dry hair easily becomes electrified
- dry hair tends to tangle
- dry hair is porous
What causes dry hair?
- excessive sun and wind exposure
- over-shampooing
- heat styling – curling irons, hot curlers, flat irons, hair dryers
- improper hair care and using harsh hair products
- chlorine / in swimming pools/ or salt water
- frequent perms
- bleaching, hair coloring
- prolonged illness and genetics
- exposure to harsh chemicals
- living in dry environment
- hormonal changes, puberty, stress
- frequent grooming
- hot temperatures and dehydratation
- your state of health
- high mineral content in local water
- certain medications
- nutritional deficiency
- applying too much styling hair products
Dry hair is usually caused by improper hair care, which includes – washing your hair daily, using harsh shampoos, not applying a conditioner, over-use of curling irons, flat irons, always blow-drying your hair, frequent bleaching, hair coloring. Dry hair can also be a result from excessive sun exposure for example, from taking certain medications / such as Birth control pills/, living in a dry environment with high temperatures. Using hair dryer or curling iron everyday are the things that always aggravate the condition of dry hair as they make dry hair even drier and damage the hair seriously.
HOW TO TREAT DRY HAIR PROPERLY
1 Shampoo regularly
Unlike oily hair, dry hair shouldn’t be washes too often. Twice a week will be enough. Don’t shampoo your hair every day as it may become even drier. Always use a shampoo specifically designed for dry hair as it contains more humectants / moisturizing ingredients/. Make sure your shampoo is mild and cleanses your hair well. It shouldn’t contain alcohol or any harsh chemicals. Look for a low pH shampoo to keep your hair moisturized. When you apply the shampoo, massage your scalp gently to improve blood circulation. Massage the scalp with the tips of the fingers instead of the fingernails to avoid scalp irritation. Rinse your hair thoroughly with lukewarm water and never rinse with hot water as it dries out your hair. At the end finish with a cool rinse to remove all traces of shampoo residue.
2 Use a conditioner
A conditioner is a must for those with dry hair because dry hair needs moisture. If your hair needs conditioning use a post-shampoo conditioner rather than a conditioning shampoo. Apply a conditioner every time you wash your hair. Look for a nourishing conditioner specifically designed for dry hair, containing essential oils. It will replace the lost moisture in your hair. Apply the conditioner to the entire hair, concentrating on the ends. A good conditioner will coat the hair shaft with a thin film and smooth down the roughened cells and fill in uneven surface. Leave the conditioner on for approximately 3/ 5 minutes to penetrate deeply into the dry hair and then rinse thoroughly. If your hair is dry you can also use a leave-in conditioner and apply it to wet or dry hair as often as needed.
3 Do a deep-conditioning treatment
If your hair is very dry you should do a series of conditioner treatment 2/ 3 times for about two weeks to make the hair stronger and to bring the hair back to a more healthy state. A deep-conditioning treatment may include – deep conditioners, hot oil treatments, nourishing and hydrating hair masks. A hair treatment with oils will penetrate deep into the hair and scalp and will nourish your hair.
Useful Tips For Dry Hair:
- Massage your scalp every time while shampooing your hair to improve blood circulation.
- Brush your dry hair from top to bottom to stimulate the scalp and to bring sebum to the ends.
- Give your dry hair a break and let it rest, but keep it clean and well-conditioned.
- You can apply pure acacia honey to the scalp to nourish your dry hair. Leave the honey on for 15 minutes.
- Always wear a hat when you are out in the hot summer months.
- Remember – going natural is the best way to avoid dry hair or any hair problems.
- Spray some setting lotion to help manage the hair, to close the cuticle layer and make the dry hair easier to comb.
- Use a light scalp oil /almond oil, olive oil/ to lightly oil the scalp every 4 to 5 days.
- Purchase the same line of product for all your hair products – they are formulated to work best together.
- Make sure all your hair products are of high quality.
- Consider using hair products with SPF and never use hair care products containing too harsh ingredients.
- Don’t use two-in-one products.
- Get a haircut every 5 weeks to prevent split and damaged ends.
- Never use too greasy hair products to style your hair.
- Leave shampoo on for a three minutes and then rinse.
- Always use hair products designed for dry hair.
- Don’t use too much styling products, instead coat just the ends of the hair.
- Don’t worry to change your shampoo even after the first usage if you are not satisfied with the result.
- Look for products containing vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, UV protective filters, moisturizing ingredients, essential oils.
- Avoid everyday blow drying.
- Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your body and hair hydrated – at least 1.5 liter a day.
- Take vitamin and mineral supplements, especially vitamin B complex and vitamin E to bring shine and moist to your dry hair.
- Avoid coloring, bleaching or hair straightening too often.
To learn more see also the articles:
Do It Yourself: At Home Hair Masks Easy Recipes – Part I
Do It Yourself: At Home Hair Masks Easy Recipes – Part II
What Causes Excessive Hair Loss In WomenВ
Simple Tips For Amazing And Healthy HairВ
Recommended products treating dry hair:
Frederic Fekkai Technician Shampoo, For Dry, Damaged Color-Treated Hair ($22) – Shampoo for dry, damaged, color-treated hair is specially formulated to restore abused hair to optimum health. This ultra-moisturizing blend of botanicals, avocado oil and protein imparts manageability and shine.
PHYTO Phytonectar Ultra Nourishing Shampoo, Ultra-Dry Hair ($24) – shampoo for ultra dry hair that helps restore the moisture and lipid balance in ultra-dry, porous hair. Its creamy formula, brimming with moisturizing and revitalizing soybean amino acids and pure Orange Blossom wax extract, nourishes hair from within. Even the most dehydrated hair quickly regains its original strength, suppleness and shine.
Rene Furterer Karite Intense Nourishing Shampoo ($23) – nourishing shampoo specifically designed for dry scalp and dry hair. It evives the driest hair types thanks to Karite, a mythical natural active ingredient with unparalleled nourishing qualities.
Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal ($8.10) – Pro-vitamins help provide protection from styling damage and split ends due to combing. Moisturize, leaving hair smooth, soft, manageable and strong against damag.
Sunsilk Care&Repair Shampoo ($6.70) – Enriched with duo keratins, the Sunsilk Care & Repair range gives your hair the TLC it needs. This shampoo makes dull and dry hair soft, smooth and shiny again.
Desert Essence Jojoba Oil for Hair, Skin & Scalp ($12.25) – Desert Essence Pure Jojoba Oil is a pure and natural plant extract, which will penetrate and moisturize your skin without leaving any oily reside. Treat your hair and scalp to a rejuvenating massage with Jojoba Oil – especially good for moisturizing the scalp and to prevent dry skin or dandruff.
Better Botanicals Herbal Hair Oil ($17) – It combines 10 medicinal herbs in a rich plant oil base to soothe, protect and strengthen. An intensive revitalizing treatment, use weekly for fuller, glossier hair. Great for all hair types.
John Masters Dry Hair Nourishment & Defrizzer for dry hair ($16) – 100% blend of pure plant and essential oils chosen for their protective, moisturizing and restorative properties. A leave-in treatment that’s proven to be excellent for dry and frizzy hair.
Rene Furterer Karite Intense Nutrition Oil ($36) – Rich in shea oil, an essential revitalizing and nourishing ingredient, and vitamin E, with anti-free radical properties, Karite Intense Nutrition Oil optimally nourishes and protects your extremely dry scalp and restores exceptional suppleness and silky softness to dry hair.
PHYTO ‘PhytoKaritГ©’ Hair Treatment Mask ($39) – PhytoKaritГ© is an intense treatment mask that helps repair and rejuvenate very dry, damaged hair by providing it with the essential elements it lacks. Brimming with naturally rich agents, including shea butter, cashew and pastel oils, filled with essential fatty acids, PhytoKaritГ© nourishes the hair from within.
Korres Shea Butter and Vitamins Nourishing Hair Mask ($23) – Hair mask, which nourishes and protects hair and scalp skin. Shea butter is allotted excellent softening properties, while provitamin B5 easily penetrates into hair, providing long-lasting hydration. Vitamins A, E and H (biotin) moisturise scalp skin and enhance cell respiration, thus strengthening the hair roots.
VO5 Moisturizing Hot Oil Treatment ($3.20) – Restores moisture to stressed, dry or damaged hair. Seeks out and re-constructs damaged hair by bonding to the weak sites of every strand. Dramatic results in just one minute.
Kerastase Nutritive Masquintense Fins ($69) – Intensive treatment for fine, very dry, extremely sensitised hair.
Phyto Huile d’Ales Pre-Shampoo Intense Hydrating Oil Treatment ($28) – Huile d’Ales is a revitalizing botanical oil that smoothes and hydrates dry, brittle hair and mends split ends. 100% natural, it includes essential oils of sage, rosemary, and juniper. Ideal for color-treated and long hair.