Caring for Dry Hair

Dryness is a prevalent hair concern, particularly for women. When you consider all of the trauma that your hair is put through – what with dying, blow-drying, straightening, styling and teasing all a daily occurrence – it’s little wonder that there is such widespread dehydration and dullness.

It is pretty easy to tell if hair is dry: it will look and feel dull, parched and generally lifeless. Very many people suffer from dry ends, as this hair is the oldest and has suffered the most wear and tear. This dryness indicates a reduction in the hair’s elasticity that leads to unsightly split ends. These problems can be combated with regular trims, or if you’re attached to your locks there are very many ways to prevent dryness before it starts to cause damage.

Cleansing and Conditioning
When hair is parched, it’s often out of the question to wash hair every day. Stick to massaging shampoo into your scalp only; when you wash it out, the suds will travel through the hair and cleanse it more gently. Conditioning is a very important step for dry hair, and needs to be smoothed through the mid section of hair right through to the tips preceding every shampooing.

If you require deep conditioning, apply a conditioning treatment and wrap hair in cling film or a plastic cap. This will keep the body heat that emanates from your head close to the scalp, and will make it easier for the hair to absorb all of the nutrients. Leave on for 15-30 minutes, or for however long the treatment directs.

Styling Tips
Refraining from using quite so many heated appliances will also make a tremendous difference to the condition of your hair. Excessive styling can cause thinning and breakage, but if you reduce the amount of tension that is put on the hair shaft then this damage can be lessened.

Other elements such as chlorine, salt water, UV rays, hair dye and chemical treatments can really take their toll on fragile locks, altering their makeup and sapping them of their natural nutrients. Try to protect hair as much as possible by limiting your exposure to such factors, or by covering your hair up completely.

Take a Look at Your Diet
It’s important to consider that the dryness of your hair may be an indication from your body that it is lacking in nutrients. If you do not drink plenty of water and have an unbalanced diet that lacks in nutrients and vitamins, or you are run down, tired and refrain from exercise, this will start to manifest itself in the condition of your skin and hair. Start your battle against dryness with a couple of daily changes; you’ll have shiny, glowing hair in no time.