There are many reasons for having dry hair. Your scalp may be dry and not produce sufficient amounts of sebum. Your genes may make you prone to this condition. Quite often however, the condition is our own doing, and our hair care and styling habits may have upset the natural balance of our hair conditions. Hair color and extreme styling can have a harsh effect on the scalp and the hair surface and may therefore also lead to dry hair
In most cases, dry hair is brittle and like straw to the touch. Such hair is hard to comb and has little luster. A sebum layer protects normal hair, and the absence of this layer around dry hair makes it thin and porous. The delicate dandruff layer underneath the hair is therefore rough and porous rather than smooth and even. The small imperfections in the layer allow water to escape from the interior hair and the hair dries out.
Using the proper products for this hair type will likely stop the hair from drying out. These products contain conditioners such as Aloe vera and Shea butter, which will bring back smoothness to the areas, which are brittle or imperfect. In addition, lipids will bind moisture in the dry hair and the increased silicon content will make it easier to comb the hair.
- Do not wash your dry hair every day! Each shampooing removes protective lipids from the hair. As a rule, wash your dry hair rarely and only as necessary
- Use only products, which are especially made for your hair type. The proper products contain less of the drying foaming agents and their higher silicon content will make it easier to comb your hair
- Treat your hair to a cure at least once a week. Such hair treatments will provide your dry hair with a lot of moisture and seal the hair surface with conditioning oils
- Never heat-style your hair without the benefit of hair protection! Hair straightening (hot irons) and hot air from hair dryers are hard on hair and remove its moisture. You should therefore air-dry your hair as often as possible. Remember to look for a heat guard setting before purchasing a new hair dryer. The protection against overheating is a crucial feature
- Elbow grease: Regular scalp massages improve the blood flow to the scalp and stimulate the sebum secretion
- Do not wash your hair with excessively hot water because it strips your hair of natural substances. It is best to set the temperature control between tepid and moderately warm. As a finishing touch you should rinse the longer part of your hair with cool water. This will make your hair smooth and shiny
- Never style your hair with alcohol-containing products! Alcohol in hair sprays, foam setting products, gels and other products also dry out your hair
- Don’t forget to inspect your hair care tools. The burrs on haphazardly manufactured combs and brushes will damage the dandruff layer and further disturb its natural smooth surface
- First detangle your still damp hair using a wide comb. Then comb your hair gently. Wet or damp hair is especially prone to damage
- Treat your hair with loving care. Harsh treatment may excessively stretch your hair and further damage it in the process