Combating dryness is one of the most common hair care concerns. You’ve eliminated moisture robbing toxins, yet despite best efforts, your tresses are still dull and brittle.
Here are 5 common causes and easy solutions to restore your hair’s luster and shine.
If you have naturally dry hair, over-shampooing can worsen the problem. Shampoos are designed to remove surface debris and product build-up. However even a clean, gentle product, if overused, can damage hair by stripping it of sebum – a natural oil that coats the cuticle.
HAIR CARE TIP: Instead of using shampoo for every wash, thoroughly rinse your hair with warm water to remove dirt and product build-up. Then, condition your hair and rinse it out. On days that you do shampoo, apply a small amount of coconut oil to hair before shampooing to pre-condition and detangle.
Alcohol is known to be one of the many ingredients harmful to healthy hair. However, it’s important to differentiate between harmful and beneficial alcohols.
HARMFUL ALCOHOLS – Try to limit usage of the below ingredients that can strip your hair of natural, protective oils and contribute to dryness and frizz.
BENEFICIAL ALCOHOLS - These fatty alcohols are plant-based and draw water to the hair and help detangle.
Overuse of our favorite styling tools – flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers - can damage hair by stripping natural oils and proteins. If you are a Silverista or blonde, excessive heat can also discolor hair leaving dull, yellow, or brassy overtones. There is also an overlooked source of heat damage – the SUN! As with skin, your hair can also suffer from sunburn. Prolonged and direct exposure to the sun can wreak the same havoc as excessive use of heated styling tools.
HAIR CARE TIP: As you get ready to enjoy warmer, sunnier weather, cover your tresses with a stylish scarf or hat.
Water transports nutrients and minerals throughout the body and helps to eliminate wastes and toxins. When we are dehydrated, not only do these vital internal functions suffer, but our hair can suffer as well. To combat dryness, breakage, and shredding, keep your tresses hydrated from the inside out!
HAIR CARE TIP – Increase your water intake with foods high in water content like cucumbers, tomatoes, and strawberries.
Just as your skin changes as you mature, so does your hair. Once hair stops producing melanin (i.e. turns silver/white), it becomes drier, more brittle, and wiry. Oftentimes the texture of the silver hair is also different from your previous hair.
HAIR CARE TIP - Re-evaluate your hair product choices and regimen. Eliminate ingredients known to cause dryness - phosphates, sulfates, DEA and ‘bad’ alcohols. Use products with nutrient-rich botanicals that address your current hair concerns like coconut oil, sweet almond oil, and jojoba oil.
Keep these 5 things in mind the next time you’re trying to treat dry hair!
