The Basics : HOW TO TREAT DRY HAIR
Why Is Your Hair So Dry?
Scalp isn't Making Enough Oil
Hair has no natural lubrication. It relies on oils made in the hair root to keep your hair moisturised and looking lustrous. As you age, your roots naturally make less oil, leading to dry hair. Furthermore, a very dry scalp will peel and shed. This is dandruff.
Damaged Hair Cuticles
Each strand of healthy hair has a protective layer called the cuticle. Just as shingles shield your home from rain and sun damage, the cuticle shields your hair from heat damage. In a healthy cuticle, the layers lie tightly together and keep moisture in. When a cuticle’s layers separate and peel away from hair, its ability to hold moisture is compromised – some oil escapes.
What Can Damage Your hair?
- Over-washing or using a harsh shampoo strips away your hair's natural oils.
- Blow drying your hair too often, especially with alcohol-based styling products.
- Using heated hair straighteners or curling irons.
- Exposing your hair to lots of sun, wind or dry air.
- Applying chemical treatments, including dyes, perms and relaxers.
The Solutions
- Wash your hair less often. You may be able to get away with washing once or twice a week instead of every day (many people can). As a bonus, when you shampoo less frequently, you won't need to blow dry and heat-style it as much.
- Use a mild shampoo made specifically to help dry hair. It contains fewer drying detergents.
- Use hair products that don’t have alcohol. They are drying.
- Follow the shampoo with a moisturising conditioner. It will keep cuticles lying flat so they hold in natural oils.
- Massage jojoba oil or coconut oil into your scalp to replenish moisture.
After you've tried these techniques, if your hair is still dry and brittle, ask your stylist about a professional deep conditioning treatment. Be warned! Your dry hair may be a symptom of a larger health issue if it is accompanies by fatigue, intolerance to cold, muscle weakness or hair loss.
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