If dry hair is getting in the way of your shampoo commercial dreams — or simply being able to let your hair down — it’s time to get serious about treating it. The best hair treatment for dry hair is a regimen that uses moisturizing products and includes habits that prevent further damage. Here’s what you can do to reverse your hair’s condition and bring it back to health.
Causes and Characteristics of Dry Hair
When the hair doesn’t retain enough moisture, it becomes dry. This means the outermost layer of the hair shaft has broken down, making it look unhealthy. Hair, like skin, can react to humidity and temperature, so we can all have dry-hair days now and then.
If your hair is always dry, which is characterized by frizz, brittleness, and , it may be caused by a mix of different factors. Climate, exposure to elements, and hair care habits can all cause dry hair. These habits include washing your hair too often, using harsh hair products, chemically treating the hair, and frequent hair styling.
Habits and Products to Improve Dry Hair
A few minor adjustments can make a big difference to your hair’s health. Practice the following every day to help prevent further damage to your strands and bring back their natural moisture and shine.
Avoid washing your hair daily.
Washing the hair with shampoo cleanses it of sweat and dirt, but it also strips it of natural moisture. This sebum is what gives hair shine and makes it soft and manageable. An article in the American Academy of Dermatology suggests washing hair based on how much oil the scalp produces. If you have dry or chemically treated hair, wash it less frequently.
However, if you can’t go a day without shampooing, use a mild shampoo that doesn’t completely strip hair of natural oils, like baby shampoo, and make sure to put back some of the lost moisture by conditioning. You can also keep using your regular shampoo but introduce a deeply nourishing treatment into your routine as well. Try Cream Silk Triple Keratin Rescue Ultimate Hair Fall Defiance Treatment Shot, a once-weekly treatment for rebellious, dry hair. This 3-in-1 hair treatment for dry hair tames frizz, restores extreme dullness, and helps revive hair from damage.
Minimize heat styling.
Heat styling has become such an integral part of our hair care routine. We do it almost every day and don’t even notice how it’s damaging our hair because the results are just so satisfying. But it does have effects, and they’re not pretty.
According to a study published by the National Institute of Health, blow-drying significantly damages the hair shaft. If you must blow-dry, the study recommends keeping the dryer at least six inches from the hair. The same study states that air drying or leaving your hair wet for long periods does as much damage. You can try wrapping your hair with a towel instead of air drying to prevent losing too much moisture.
Use essential oils to replenish moisture.
are often found in such as shampoos, conditioners, and salon treatments for dry hair because they provide moisture while nourishing hair and bringing back shine. Moroccan argan oil, lavender oil, and coconut oil are known to make hair shiny and more manageable. , in particular, works as a natural emollient that fills in the gaps of hair strands to improve the hair’s overall appearance.
Soothe dry hair every week by rubbing some coconut oil between your palms to warm it and apply it to your hair, focusing on the ends. Leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse thoroughly. For daily moisturizing with essential oils, use Dove Nourishing Oil Care 1 Minute Serum Conditioner, which restores dry, frizzy hair with a Damage Repair formula in one minute.
Use a hair mask.
You can also treat your dry hair by using a hair mask once or twice a week. This helps control frizz by sealing in strands to fight humidity. Try using TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Treatment Mask or Vitakeratin Expert Salon Treatment Ultra Rich Shine Tube to without going to the salon. Infused with vitamins, these give hair the nourishment it needs to be stronger and look healthier.
After cleansing your hair, apply the mask section by section and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. This allows your hair to absorb all the nutrients from the product. Rinse off before styling your hair.
The best hair treatment for dry hair is the one that works best on your hair and fits your lifestyle and needs. Try these simple habits and products that are easy enough to integrate into your daily hair care routine to repair and prevent dry hair.