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Dry hair — especially dry ends — is extremely common. After all, your scalp is your hair's only natural moisture source, and it's a long way from the tips. Plus, as you age your scalp produces less oil, and your hair gets drier.
Dry weather can also zap the moisture from your strands. "Your hair needs different care in cooler weather than in the summer months," says hair restoration specialist Alan J. Bauman, M.D. You'll want to use products and treatments that infuse your hair with hydration — and avoid ingredients and styling tools that dry it out.
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Implement these seven expert tricks, and your hair will look better in a week. Even though dry hair is common, it is avoidable.
Shampoo less often
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If you wash your hair every day — or even every other day — you might be washing it too often. "Your hair only needs to be washed twice a week," says Bauman. When you do shampoo, use a product that's gentle. Avoid sodium lauryl sulphates — detergents that make your shampoo foam but also strip oil from your hair. Look for products that contain natural cleansers like sodium coco-sulphate, which is derived from coconut oil. We like Jason Long & Strong Jojoba Shampoo and Aveeno Pure Renewal Shampoo.
Consider a cleansing conditioner
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Many women are giving up shampoo altogether in favor of cleansing conditioner; the process is called "co-washing." These two-in-one products use natural oils to remove buildup and dirt from the hair, while simultaneously conditioning — and they leave hair feeling seriously hydrated.
While each cleansing conditioner may have slightly different instructions, you generally want to apply a generous amount of the product from roots to ends and let it soak in during your shower. Then, rinse it out, and you're ready to go.
While each cleansing conditioner may have slightly different instructions, you generally want to apply a generous amount of the product from roots to ends and let it soak in during your shower. Then, rinse it out, and you're ready to go.
Skip heat styling
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It's no surprise that heat dries out hair — and that's why Bauman suggests skipping the blow dryer and flat iron during the winter.If you don't have time to let your hair air dry, be sure to use a heat protection spray before you style. These products infuse the hair with moisture, and the heat will actually help the hydrating ingredients penetrate each strand. While air-drying is still less damaging than any form of heat styling, a heat protection spray can make your hair appear healthier.
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Deep condition
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If your hair is still dry, you'll want to include a weekly in-shower treatment into your beauty routine. "Be prepared to do some damage control with a deep conditioner," says Bauman. After shampooing (or co-washing), apply a deep conditioner or hair mask from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair. Let it soak in for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing. Deep conditioners, or hair masks, are super-charged with even more moisturizing ingredients than your daily conditioner.
Heavy deep conditioners will weigh down finer hair textures so be sure to choose one that's specifically formulated for your hair.
Heavy deep conditioners will weigh down finer hair textures so be sure to choose one that's specifically formulated for your hair.
Try a DIY treatment
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When you have a well-stocked kitchen, you don't need to splurge on a fancy treatment product. Mash up an avocado and apply to dry hair as a hair mask. The natural oils and omega fatty acids will moisturize your hair and leave it feeling silky.
Olive oil and coconut oil are also excellent hair moisturizers. For a deep treatment, apply the oil to dry hair and wrap it in a damp, hot towel for 20 minutes. You'll need to shampoo (and condition) your hair to remove oily residue..
Note: A hot towel will always help natural oils penetrate, but it's not as necessary with avocado because of the molecule size.
Olive oil and coconut oil are also excellent hair moisturizers. For a deep treatment, apply the oil to dry hair and wrap it in a damp, hot towel for 20 minutes. You'll need to shampoo (and condition) your hair to remove oily residue..
Note: A hot towel will always help natural oils penetrate, but it's not as necessary with avocado because of the molecule size.
Tweak your diet
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Certain foods will help your scalp produce more natural oils, thereby moisturizing your hair. "There are a number of hair superfoods that can boost your strands," says Bauman. "Salmon, which is loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, dark green vegetables for vitamins A and C, and nuts, which are a terrific source of zinc."
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Use gentle hair color
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Most permanent hair color formulas will seriously dry out your hair. If your hair is looking or feeling especially crispy, opt for an ammonia-free, oil-based color like Garnier Olia. The color molecules are linked to droplets of oil that penetrate the hair shaft making it supple and less likely to break.