Many people deal with dry hair, but they don’t know the reason behind it. It’s an important step to identify the reason. This way, you will know what should be done in order to solve the dryness. Many factors can be the reason behind your dry hair, and we are going to cover as much as we can in this post.
What is called dry hair?
If you don’t provide enough moisture for your hair, it can cause dryness. It can also be because your hair loses too much moisture. Dryness can lessen your hair sheen and cause frizz. Your hair is made of three layers. Healthy hair has a natural oil in its outer layer to protect other layers. This layer can also make your hair look shiny. Dryness happens when the outer layer becomes dry and breaks, making your hair look unhealthy.
What factors cause dry hair?
Dry hair can be caused by various factors, including the environment, hair care habits, and physical health. These are some of the conditions that can cause dry hair:
- living in a dry or hot climate
- spending a lot of time in the sun or wind
- frequently swimming in chlorinated water
- Too much hair washing
- Consuming harsh shampoos, conditioners, or styling products
- Chemically treating your hair or dying
- Blow-drying
- Electric curling irons & straighteners
- Dry hair can sometimes be caused by underlying health conditions that affect your hair’s ability to retain moisture. Here are some examples:
- Anorexia nervosa: It is an eating disorder that can lead to malnutrition. It can lead to dry and brittle hair, as well as more serious complications.
- Hypoparathyroidism: When you have hypoparathyroidism, the parathyroid gland in your neck produces too little parathyroid hormone, which lowers your blood calcium levels. For healthy hair, bones, teeth, and other tissues, calcium is essential.
- Hypothyroidism: When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones. One of the early signs of this disease is having dry and brittle hair.
- Menkes syndrome: People with Menkes syndrome, a rare genetic condition, have problems absorbing copper. Having low copper absorption affects the health of your hair, causing it to be dry.
Diagnosing dry hair
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have severely dry hair and it doesn’t get better with changes to your hair care routine. Your doctor may be able to identify the underlying cause. Also, they may refer you to a dermatologist, a doctor who specializes in skin and hair conditions. Your doctor or dermatologist may ask you questions about your symptoms, hair care routine, and lifestyle, such as:
- How long have you had dry hair?
- How often do you wash your hair?
- What type of hair products do you use?
- What tools do you use to style your hair?
- What does your typical diet entail?
- Do you have any other symptoms?
They will probably examine your hair and scalp. If necessary, they may order tests. You may be asked to provide a sample of blood or urine to check for signs of certain medical conditions, including hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism.
Treating dry hair
Simple lifestyle changes can treat dry hair in many cases. Listed below are some suggestions:
1. Avoid shampooing your hair every day.
Daily shampooing can strip your hair of its protective oils and cause it to become dry. Instead, wash your hair once or twice a week. You can apply hair oils or leave-in conditioners to add luster and softness.
2. Beware the weather!
Protecting your hair from heat and sun exposure is also important. If you live in a dry climate, wear a hat when you go outdoors and avoid long-term exposure to dry or windy air. You should protect your hair from chlorine by wearing a bathing cap when swimming in a pool.
3. Dry your hair correctly.
How you dry your hair can also help to prevent dry hair. Use a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt to dry your hair on wash days. Instead of rubbing your hair between the fabrics (this friction causes breakage), you want to scrunch your hair gently. If you use a hairdryer, wait until your hair is about 75% dry, then use the hairdryer. This causes less damage than blow-drying when your hair is soaking wet. Remember to keep the heat low and apply a heat protectant before using any hot tool.
4. Brush your hair correctly.
When your hair is wet, do not brush! We know it’s tempting to get those tangles out but brushing your hair when wet is damaging as hair is vulnerable when went and you can unnecessarily pull and break hair much more easily.
When brushing dry hair, be sure you’re using a safe tool, such as a wide-tooth comb, instead of old-school bristle brushes. Remember to brush from the bottom up to prevent breakage, meaning working your way from the ends, then lengthening the strokes from the mid-shaft to the ends. Do not brush top to bottom as this causes breakage, especially if you have dry hair.
5. Use suitable hair accessories.
On non-wash days, dry shampoo can help if you have extra greasy hair but don’t want to go through the washing process. Another method is to style your hair in a messy bun or pony and avoid hair ties and scrunchies with rubber or plastic. Scrunchies are a great alternative to traditional (and damaging) hair elastics. Check Flora & Curl Satin Scrunchies & 3 Pack Silk Scrunchies.
Flora & Curl Satin Scrunchies
3 Pack Silk Scrunchies
6. Do you drink enough water?
Just like a good diet that everyone doesn’t think about it when it comes to hair, water is an important factor in hair dryness. So next time you are going to apply lots of products to moisturize your hair and solve dry hair, just think about having a glass of water. A glass of water is not going to do magic instantly, but if you continue to keep your body hydrated, you will see the magic very soon.
7. Don’t overuse clarifying shampoo.
It’s very easy to forget and get excited about the amount of clarifying shampoo you use. The only thing that overusing provides is dry hair. You should use clarifying shampoo only once every month. If you want to gain moisture and reduce tangle, use your preferred oil as a pre-poo.
8. Don’t forget about the L.O.C method for your dry hair.
This method is a straightforward one. It includes using a liquid, oil, and cream. First, you should use a leave-in, then your favorite oil. Next, you should use a cream to lock in the moisture. This method helps your hair to keep in the moisture it needs. If you repeat this method, you are going to see the result and a great reduction in dryness.
9. Use a leave-in moisturizer suitable for your hair.
It is really important that you use a leave-in moisturizer that is suitable for your hair type. If you have low porosity hair, a water-based leave-in is a great option. A water-based leave-in moisturizer won’t make any build-up like creamy ones do. If you are looking for a perfect leave-in moisturizer, just try Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner once and see the magic.
Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner
10. Protect your hair when you sleep.
This is very crucial for anyone who wants healthy hair and avoids dry hair. All you have to do is to use a satin pillowcase or sleep in a satin bonnet at night. This Silk Pillowcase which is made of the best materials is a great option for protecting your hair at night.
Silk Pillowcase
Having healthy hair, not only will save you from lots of problems, but also it will help you have healthy hair growth. If you use other tips to maintain healthy hair, you can share them with others in the comments.
