Hair becomes dry and dull when it cannot retain enough moisture to preserve its natural shine and luster. Dry hair is most commonly caused by external factors such as excessive washing, heated styling tools, chemicals or regular exposure to the elements. Several home remedies for dry, dull hair can restore moisture and shine. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends consulting a doctor if your hair does not improve after a few weeks of using home remedies or if you experience hair loss.
Oil Massage
Oil helps repair dry, dull hair by coating and nourishing each strand, which restores moisture and shine. An oil massage also increases circulation to the scalp and promotes hair growth, according to Roshni Dayal in her book "Natural Beauty Secrets From India." Gently warm 1/4 cup olive, coconut or almond oil on low heat, and then massage into the scalp. Continue massaging for about 10 minutes before working the oil through your hair to the ends. Leave on for at least an hour before rinsing and shampooing as usual. Repeat the oil massage once a week to treat dry, dull hair or once a month as a preventative measure.
Aromatherapy
Essential oils used in aromatherapy can also help restore shine and moisture to dry, dull hair. In his book "Alternative Cures," Bill Gottlieb recommends performing a regular scalp massage using a mixture of essential oils. Combine 8 drops cedarwood oil, 8 drops clary sage oil and 4 drops lavender oil with 2 oz. jojoba oil. Jojoba, cedarwood and clary sage are believed to help regulate the scalp's oil production, while lavender oil increases circulation. All of these oils also moisturize and nourish the hair itself. Massage the mixture into your scalp and hair once a week, leaving it on for 30 minutes to overnight for the best results.
Egg Yolks
Dry, dull hair responds well to the nourishment and protein found in egg yolks, suggests Dian Dincin Buchman in her book "An ABC of Natural Beauty Recipes." To make a home remedy for dry or dull hair, combine two or three egg yolks, 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin, 1 tsp. apple cider vinegar and 1/4 cup warm avocado, almond, olive or wheat germ oil. Rub the mixture into your hair and scalp 30 minutes to an hour before shampooing. Repeat once weekly as needed. You can also rub pure egg yolk into your hair just before or during shampooing to combat dry hair.
Honey
Honey is a natural humectant, which means it attracts and holds water molecules. This makes it an excellent treatment for dry, dull hair. In her book "Ecobeauty," Lauren Cox suggests mixing 1/2 cup honey and 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil to make a honey hair pack for dry hair. Apply the mixture to dry hair, massage into the scalp and thoroughly coat each strand. Cover with a plastic shower cap, and allow the mixture to remain for 20 to 30 minutes before washing and conditioning as usual. Repeat twice a week as necessary to repair dry, dull hair.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Dry Hair
- "Natural Beauty Secrets from India"; Roshni Dayal; 2009
- "Alternative Cures: More Than 1,000 of the Most Effective Natural Home Remedies"; Bill Gottlieb; 2008
- "An ABC of Natural Beauty Recipes"; Dian Dincin Buchman; 1999
- "Ecobeauty: Scrubs, Rubs, Masks, Rinses, and Bath Bombs for You and Your Friends"; Lauren Cox, Janice Cox; 2009
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