Dry hair is one of the most challenging conditions to manage. From the frizz, coarse texture, and difficulty in combing it out - having dry hair can be the real definition of a bad hair day.
You have probably tried different DIY dry hair treatments or searched and used the supposed ‘best products for dry hair’, yet all these yield nothing as you continue your search for the miracle cure.
This article provides simple but magical tips on managing and preventing dry hair effectively and provides you with the hair you have always desired.
What Is Dry Hair?
Dry hair is hair damage caused by a lack of moisture, which can be a result of your poor natural oil secretion or your hair's inability to retain moisture that provides the needed sheen, shine, and nutrients.
What Causes Dry Hair?
Keratin is a naturally occurring protein that helps keep your hair strong, healthy, and smooth. It does this by ensuring the hair is oily and well moisturized at all times. So, it is quite essential that this protein is present in the right amount in human hair. The hair begins to show signs of dryness the moment the keratin level in the hair is low or in an unbalanced proportion.
Hair drying out is a gradual process and can often take years of consistent damage before your hair begins to show signs of dryness. The dryness can be caused by different factors, which pile up over time to cause damage.
Some of the main causes of dry hair:
- Dry Scalp: The scalp is meant to release the required amount of natural oils to the hair follicle to maintain moisture and promote growth. A dry scalp will be unable to supply the hair with the required amount of nutrients to maintain its glow and shine. The result of this is the eventual drying out and breaking of the hair.
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Environment: You may wonder what the environment has to do with your current hair condition, but it plays a major role in your hair's health and growth. The scalp and hair are super sensitive to environmental conditions and a slight change can affect your hair. For example, cold and dry weather can lead to flaking while a drastic change in the humidity can lead to hair dryness.
For this reason, it is important that you use the right styling and treatment methods that are appropriate for the current weather. - Swimming Pools: Pools might not be your hair's best friend as they can easily make hair dry out. Most pools are treated with chlorine to prevent certain infections such as swimmers' ears and kill bacteria like E. coli. However, chlorinated water can strip your hair of natural oils and moisture. So it is important to protect your hair while swimming.
- Poor Hair Care: Poor hair care routine can also contribute to dry hair. Habits like the constant use of blower-dryers and other heat-based hair stylers like straighteners can quickly dry your hair. Also, washing your hair frequently with shampoos and conditioners that contain harsh chemicals can dehydrate your hair.
- Hereditary + Health: Hair dryness can be genetic and can be caused by diseases such as hypoparathyroidism. Surprising right? But there’s a solution. You can still make it better with the treatment tips that you'll find if you continue reading.
What Does Dry Hair Look Like?
Dry hair has porous and open cuticles, which is why it loses moisture fast. Most people don't see it as something they should be concerned about or see the doctor for a diagnosis. The worst part is that most people don't even notice or know what it is like.
So, how do you know that your hair is dry? The first sign of dry hair is the brittleness and breakage when your hair is being touched or styled. Also, it gets rough, frizzly, and has a coarse texture. Other indications of dry hair include an uncontrollable itch which is often caused by dry scalps and results in dandruff. The presence of many stray strands on your body or comb when combing or styling your hair confirms dry hair. Split ends are also another clear indicator of dry, damaged hair.
Dry hair can be managed easily if hydrated, moisturized, and nourished with hair foods that provide external nutrients. Some examples include marula oil, argan oil, and olive oil.
How To Fix And Prevent Dry Hair?
Dry hair can be quite sensitive so care should be taken on the type of product you apply to them. Be careful about what you use during this period, especially what you find on the internet. Ensure you get your information from verified sources and only buy products from reputable brands.
For this reason, we have compiled 8 transformational tips that will slowly work wonders and bring back the confidence in your hair. Just like every treatment, patience is crucial. These tips won't fix the problem overnight because the problem doesn't happen overnight either. Like with most things in life, it takes consistency and effort to see the result you desire.
Tip # 1: Wash Your Hair Less Often
It may seem like a good idea to wash your hair all the time due to dust, sweat, or other pollution. However, don't fall for the temptation to wash your hair constantly. It isn't as beneficial as your mind conjures it to be.
Lately, there has been an increase in the 'no poo' movement. 'No poo' is a hair care trend requiring reduced use of shampoo to promote healthier and lush hair. This is necessary because shampooing too often is not always a good idea. Having some natural oil is essential to the health of your hair. Over washing can strip the hair of its natural oils, thus leaving it drier and more prone to breakage. Simply put, we recommend trying to wash less frequently when/if possible.
Tip # 2: Change Shampoo And Conditioner
The first tip establishes the reduction of shampooing the hair because it can rob your hair of its natural nutrients. Likewise, poor shampoos and conditioners can do the same.
There are many shampoos on the market with promises of healthy hair, yet they are full of chemicals that can actually worsen your hair dryness. Do your own research, read reviews, and ask for recommendations from your stylist on the best shampoo and conditioner to buy to keep healthy hair.
Why we love Goldie Locks Shampoo + Conditioner Duo:
- Feeds your hair essential nutrients
- Encourages healthy hair growth
- Stronger, smoother, more manageable hair
- Deposits instant long-lasting hydration
- Strengthens & smooths hair
- Detangles & helps with tangle prevention
- Reduces frizz
Shampoo for dry hair should contain a high composition of natural oils like coconut and marula oil, plant extracts, and humectants. Avoid buying hair products that have chemicals like sulfate and parabens. This is important because they can strip your hair of its natural oils and irritate your scalp, causing more dryness and damage.
Tip # 3: Protect Your Hair From Poor Weather Conditions and Chlorinated Water
Since poor weather conditions and chlorinated water are other causes of dry hair, protecting your hair from these harsh elements becomes a suitable solution.
When in the pool, wear protectants like a hat or silk bonnets to prevent your hair cuticles from external abrasion. You can also use swim caps to protect your hair from chlorine while swimming.
If hair is exposed to chlorine, we recommend using Clarifying Shampoo. Not only does it remove the build-up of chlorine, it also helps to combat the unwanted greenish tint lighter hair colors can get when exposed to the minerals and chemicals in swimming pools. By thoroughly cleansing your hair and scalp, clarifying shampoo prepares a clean canvas for other hair care products to work more effectively, ensuring maximum benefits and preventing dry hair.
Hats, beanies, and other hair covers that suit the occasion are options you can pick from during various kinds of weather.
Tip # 4: Use Nourishing Hair Masks and Other Moisturizing Dry Hair Treatments
To retain natural oils and moisture in your hair, always use hair masks for dry hair treatments with great recommendations rather than ones you find online. There are many masks for dry hair that rehydrate, prevent breakage, and improve the length and strength of your hair. Hair masks are so important because they help restore your hair's health and give it a shiny and lush look.
Why we love Goldie Locks® Ultra Hydrating Hair Mask:
Instantly restore hydration, repair damage, and add intense shine without weighing things down. This highly concentrated formula is rich in proteins, vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants to repair and restore dry, damaged hair.
- Instantly restores hydration
- Repairs & renews damaged hair
- Strengthens strands
- Intense nourishment & shine
- Extends the life & vibrancy of hair
- Protects color
- Rich in vitamins, fatty acids, & antioxidants
- Reduces frizz
- Detangles & helps prevent tangles
- Maintains hair quality, texture & shine
Tip # 5: Take Supplements and Vitamins To Grow Your Hair Healthier
Incorporating hair supplements and vitamins for your dry hair offers impressive benefits. Vitamins B, C, D, and A are some of the important supplements to include in your diet. In addition, Biotin, Iron, and Zinc also help support hair structure and growth.
We recommend Goldie Locks® Supplements for those serious about the health and strength of their hair.
Tip # 6: Avoid Heat-based Styling Products
Another cause of dry hair is the constant use of heat styling tools on your hair - including flat irons, curling irons, blow dryers, etc.
Most of these heat styling tools even reach up to 400°F and above when in use. Constant exposure to these levels of heat degree reduces the lifespan of your hair’s keratin strands by converting them from ⍺-keratin to β-keratin. While the former depicts strong and healthy hair, the latter represents weak and damaged hair.
Tip # 7: Use Cold or Lukewarm Water
Indeed, using hot water after a stressful day at work to shower loosens the tight knots in your body. But they can do more harm than good when used to wash your hair. Use of hot water to wash your hair can strip it of its natural moisturizing nutrients. In return, you're left with dry hair.
Instead, wash your hair with lukewarm or cold water to help maintain hydration and shine.
Tip # 8: Use Conditioner
Hair conditioners help restore moisture to your hair strands, especially to the ends and scalp, which tends to get dry the most. Using the right conditioner can help smooth your mane and improve the overall health of your hair.
Why we love Goldie Locks® Ultra Hydrating Signature Conditioner:
- Strengthens & smooths hair
- Locks in long-lasting moisture
- Detangles & helps with tangle prevention
- Extends the life & vibrancy of hair
- Maintains quality, texture & shine
- Reduces frizz
Why we love Goldie Locks® Ultra Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner:
- Weightless shine
- Locks in moisture
- Detangles unruly hair
- Protection from heat & UV
- Seals split ends
- Frizz control
- Restores essential nutrients
- Strengthens hair
- Reduces breakage
