Dry hair is a very common, albeit frustrating occurrence. It can happen for many reasons, ranging from genes and hormones to overexposure to the elements or harmful hair styling practices [1][2].
Fortunately, unless it is accompanied by severe structural damage, dry, brittle hair is reversible with proper care. And there is no need to spend a fortune on expensive salon visits, as you can get effective dry hair treatment at home.
This article will give you the best recommendations and practical tips to help you make your hair shiny, happy and healthy once more. Keep reading to discover all about:
Dry hair is usually easy to spot by the way it looks and feels. Look closely at your hair and scalp in the mirror in a well-lit room. Run your hand through your hair, then use your fingers to feel several strands from roots to ends. Your hair may be dry if you notice it has some or all of the following characteristics:
Many activities and processes can leave you with dry hair that feels like straw. Here are some of the most common:
Having dry, lifeless tresses that are prone to hair breakage can be disheartening. Fortunately, you can get healthier hair in the comfort of your own home. Here are some of the best DIY dry hair solutions you can try.
If your hair is dry and damaged, stage an emergency intervention. A hair detox is an intensive process that involves the deep cleaning, conditioning and moisturising of your scalp and tresses.
While many salons offer this kind of treatment, you can get equally good results at home. Just take some time and give your hair some much-needed TLC. A combination of deep-conditioning hair masks, intensive moisturising and a break from harmful styling practices can restore your hair to its former glory.
Dry hair treatment tip: Use a coconut, jojoba and tea-tree oil deep-conditioning hair mask. Coconut oil is abundant in moisturising fatty acids. Jojoba oil for hair helps seal in moisture, strengthens your hair and offers some protection against oxidative stress. Tea tree oil for hair reduces inflammation and helps treat scalp problems such as dandruff and scalp psoriasis.
Ingredients for deep conditioning hair mask:
Instructions:
Some of the best essential oils for hair growth can rival hair growth treatments such as Minoxidil [4]. But did you know that the high amounts of fatty acids in these oils can also keep your hair moisturised and hydrated?
And it isn’t only hair growth oils that can have this effect. Some oils don’t necessarily increase hair density, but they are great at conditioning hair and restoring its shine [6].
Dry hair treatment tip: Here are some of the best natural oils you can use for treating dry, damaged hair [5][6][7]:
Even gentle shampoo formulas can remove some of the natural oil from your hair and scalp. And if your hair is dry, you need every drop you can get. That is why it’s a good idea to condition your hair after every wash.
The best thing you can do is to use a leave-in conditioner that is designed specifically for dry hair. These products contain hydrating agents, vitamins and antioxidants that can provide extra moisture and protection from oxidative stress throughout the day. Make sure to wash your hair regularly to avoid buildup on your scalp.
Dry hair treatment tip: Pour a few drops of jojoba oil into your leave-on hair conditioner, or add some aloe vera gel for hair. These additions can help increase hydration and soothe a dry, itchy scalp without weighing down the conditioner’s formulation and causing excessive buildup.
If you have reason to suspect that you have a yeast infection on the scalp or another condition that causes dryness (such as scalp psoriasis), don’t ignore the symptoms. This is especially true if you have tried to treat your dry scalp at home to no avail.
Seeing a dermatologist or trichologist and getting the right treatment recommendation will not only ease your discomfort, it will also help you get healthier, more beautiful hair.
Dry hair treatment tip: If you want to improve your scalp health but are unsure where to start, here is a comprehensive list of the most effective dry scalp treatments you can try.
Curling or straightening your hair using heat-based appliances is easy, and can give you impressive results. However, it can also significantly dry out and damage your tresses [3][8].
When exposed to high temperatures, the moisture in your hair fibres evaporates, the cuticles get damaged, and small air bubbles can form inside the shafts, causing hair breakage [9]. Heat-damaged hair is extremely hard to fix and over time, you can end up with dead hair that can no longer be repaired.
Dry hair treatment tip: Don’t rely on commercially available heat-protecting hair products, as they don’t always prevent your hair from drying out. Instead, use heat-free styling methods which can yield very good results. These include traditional hair rollers, braids in damp hair, and using hair banding or hair relaxant creams (sparingly!) to straighten it.
When your hair is dry, it is a good idea to use hair cleaning and styling products that are specifically designed for this condition. These are less likely to strip your hair of its natural oils or damage its structure. Always check the ingredient list and avoid buying products that contain potentially harmful substances, such as sulphates, non-fatty alcohols, or parabens.
Dry hair treatment tip: Your shampoo may be your most frequently used hair care product, so it is important that it is gentle and does not dry out your hair. Here is a list of the best shampoos for dry hair, which can also help you strengthen and repair damaged tresses.
People with dry, damaged hair often experience split ends, uneven length and frizz towards the lower parts of their tresses. Brittle strands can rub against clothing and each other and break off. If this happens, even if you treat your dry hair, the damage will already be done.
To make it look even, smooth and beautiful, remove your split ends by trimming them at least once every 2-3 months.
Dry hair treatment tip: Sometimes dry hair is also severely damaged, as a result of exposure to heat, harsh chemicals or UV radiation. When this happens, it may be impossible to save. So the best way to restore your locks is to get a shorter haircut, removing any dead hair to ensure your remaining hair is healthy and full.
Finding the right dry hair treatment is only the first part of the battle. You also need to take additional steps to ensure that this problem does not return. This requires a holistic approach, which encompasses dietary, styling and protective measures. Here are some of the best lifestyle and hair styling changes you can make to prevent your hair from becoming dry once more.
Eating a healthy hair diet, with lots of minerals and vitamins for hair growth, can help your scalp remain healthy and stimulate your follicles for hair growth. However, very restrictive diets can cause hair loss, dryness and changes in texture [11]. If nutritional deficiencies start to affect your hair qualities, you may need to see your GP or a trichologist for advice on reversing this.
Dry hair prevention tip: To prevent dry hair and hair loss during weight loss, ask a nutritionist about a personalised diet plan that won’t affect your hair health. While you can take nutritional supplements to avoid or correct deficiencies, it is best to get vitamins and minerals from dietary sources.
While eating healthy is important, drinking plenty of water is vital to the good functioning of your body, especially in hot weather [12]. Failing to drink enough fluids and/or consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or sugary soft drinks can lead to dehydration [13]. This can also give you a dry scalp and dry hair. So make sure to keep yourself properly hydrated at all times.
Dry hair prevention tip: Some people often forget to drink, especially when busy or stressed. If this is you, keeping a water bottle on your desk can serve as a reminder. Alternatively, apps can help you track your water intake and remind you to drink at preset intervals.
Excessive use of styling products that contain harsh chemicals, such as bleach or hair dye, can dry out and damage your tresses [14][15]. However, that doesn’t mean you need to give up on the vibrant colours you love. There are natural pigments that you can use to dye your hair, such as henna, indigo or beetroot. Experimenting with them can give you a lovely new shade without affecting your hair health.
Dry hair prevention tip: If you don’t want to give up chemical dyes, try to switch to a semi-permanent variety. Semi-permanent hair dye is not as damaging to hair as the permanent kind. It contains smaller amounts of harmful chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide, and it doesn’t penetrate your hair fibre as deeply [15].
Exposing your hair to the hot sun for extended periods can dry it out and damage its structure [16]. This is often at the root of summer hair loss. So make sure to cover your head and hair with a large-brimmed hat or a scarf to keep it safe. This will also prevent other negative health consequences, such as heatstroke, sunburns and even skin cancer on your scalp.
Dry hair prevention tip: While many cosmetic products promise UV hair protection, most are likely ineffective [16]. The best way to keep your hair healthy and hydrated is to cover it up when going outside in hot weather. It’s also a good idea to stay indoors at times when UV radiation is at its strongest (e.g. at midday hours during summer)
Hot curlers and straighteners are not the only appliances that can dry out and heat-damage your hair. So can blowdryers, especially if set to a higher heat setting [8].
The best thing you can do to retain your hair moisture after a wash is to pat it gently with a towel and let it air dry. This will not only prevent dry hair, but it may also help improve your wave or curl definition (especially if you have looser-waved type 2A hair).
Dry hair prevention tip: Applying a coat of jojoba oil to your damp hair and letting it air dry will help seal in the moisture. This works great for all hair types, as this hair oil is lightweight and does not weigh down your waves or curls.
If you are in a time pinch and need to get your dry, dull hair looking shiny and luxurious, here are some tips that could help:
Many hair health and beauty blogs perpetuate common misconceptions about what causes dry hair and how you can treat it. Here are some of the most common myths and the reality behind them.
Maybe the most commonly encountered dry hair treatment advice is to reduce the frequency with which you wash your hair, so it doesn’t get stripped of its natural oils.
There was some truth to this myth back when shampoos used harsh detergents. However, nowadays, research regarding how often you should wash your hair to keep it healthy has debunked this claim. A clinical trial performed on 1500 men and women revealed that washing your hair 5-6 times a week is optimal to keep it strong and to reduce brittleness, scalp itching and dandruff [17]. Just use gentle shampoos and conditioners that are designed for dry hair.
There is a kernel of truth to this myth since hair dryness and damage often go hand in hand. This is especially true when both are caused by the same factor, such as excessive heat styling or the use of hair products with harsh chemicals.
However, sometimes even well-cared-for hair can become dry. This may be due to a temporary dip in sebum production caused by changes in hormonal activity, or flare-ups of certain scalp conditions. This situation can be managed by additional moisturising and treating the underlying scalp problem.
Curly hair types (especially Afro hair) are more prone to dryness and frizzing than straight or wavy hair. However, this doesn’t mean anyone is exempt from getting dry hair.
Since this issue is frequently caused by unhealthy hair styling practices or overexposure to the elements, people with all hair types can experience it. So even if your hair is straight or wavy, it’s best to avoid potentially harmful hair habits. Even hair that is naturally on the oily side can become dry if repeatedly exposed to high heat or harsh chemicals.
If your hair is dry and brittle, it may not be too late to restore it back to health. Deep-conditioning, moisturising, and staying away from heat and harmful styling products should restore its health and shine.
However, if your hair’s internal structure has also been extensively damaged by the same factors that dried it out, it may be beyond saving. At this point, you’ll need to cut off the dead segment of your tresses.
The good news is that if you take care of your remaining hair, it will grow back to its original length shinier, healthier and happier.
Dry hair can be very fragile, making it easy to snap or split. Depending on other factors, such as existing structural damage and your haircare routine, this can lead to some visible hair thinning over time.
However, if you develop a widening of your parting, a receding hairline (in men), or your hair becomes so thin you can see your scalp, it is a good idea to see a trichologist to rule out a type of alopecia.
If you have tried the home treatments above to no avail, or you are worried there may be more to your hair loss than just dryness, it is time to call in the experts.
Book a consultation today with one of our elite hair doctors. They will examine your hair and ask you all the right questions to determine the causes of dryness and how you can restore it to excellent shape. They will also make custom recommendations for dry hair treatments and hair care routines that best serve your hair type, lifestyle and personal preferences.
Check out the answers to these frequently asked questions to learn more about dry hair and how to treat it.
Both of these oils have numerous properties that can improve your hair health. However, coconut oil is more abundant in fatty acids than jojoba oil, so it may be more effective at moisturising your dry hair. The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to choose between these two oils. You can use them together for improved results.
While heat-protecting hair products may offer some protection against dryness and damage, they are probably insufficient to stop it altogether. The best thing you can do if you have dry hair is to avoid heat styling, as well as to cover your hair when out in the sun.
While there are no structural differences between male and female hair, women tend to have drier hair than men on average. That is partly because they are more predisposed to hormonal fluctuations that can impact sebum production, but mostly due to differences in hair styling practices.
Women are more likely to heat-style, bleach and dye their hair, which can lead to dryness over time. Women also tend to wear their hair longer than men, so sometimes the sebum produced by their scalp is insufficient to reach their hair ends.
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