Why Is Your Hair Dry?

Listed below are some common causes and solutions of dry hair.

Possible Causes

• Shampooing too often
• Use of shampoos with harsh sulfates
• Use of products with alcohol which can also be drying
• Not drinking enough water
• Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase or using a cotton scarf, which rob hair of moisture
• Overly porous or low porosity hair
• Not using water based hair moisturizers
• Not sealing moisture in with an oil or butter
• Improper hair pH
• Excessive use of heavy products w/out proper cleansing (build-up)
• Color treated hair (notorious for dryness)
• Too much chlorine (from swimming pools or tap water)
• Salt (from ocean water)
• General weathering from the elements
• Mechanical damage from over manipulation (which leave the cuticle vulnerable)

Solutions

• Increase water in-take
• Pre-shampoo with an oil that can penetrate the hair shaft like coconut oil
• Cleanse with moisturizing shampoos or ones that contain milder surfactants like Coco Betaine, and always follow up with a conditioner that moisturizes well
• Use a water based leave-in conditioner after your wash and conditioning routine, and seal it in with a butter or oil while damp or wet
• Explore protective styling to help retain moisture
• Use deep conditioners weekly. Some may need to apply indirect heat through a shower cap, steamer, hair therapy wrap, etc., while deep conditioning
• Evaluate if your water is hard or soft and if it needs to be treated
• Protect your hair, when going swimming, with conditioner and a swim cap or use of a product specifically designed for sun/chlorine/salt, such as Ouidad Sun Shield
• Determine the pH of the products you use in your hair and adjust the ratios/products accordingly
• Always use a heat protectant when styling with heat.
• Sleep with a satin pillow case and/or satin scarf
• Be patient and gentle when handling your hair

Find out WHY your hair is dry. After you establish this, you can determine how best to combat the issue.  A well moisturized head of hair is a happy one!