Each hair on your head contains three layers. The cuticle, or outermost layer, has scales that overlap like shingles, which protect the inside layers of hair. If a hair becomes damaged, these scales can separate, the hair can dry out and the inner layers of hair are susceptible to breakage, according to The Nemours Foundation. The best way to help extra-dry hair is to adopt some simple hair care strategies that will allow your hair to retain more of its natural moisture.
Step 1
Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo. Shampoos can contain harsh cleaning chemicals that cause hair to become extra dry by robbing it of its natural moisturizing oils, according to Discovery Health website. Buy a shampoo that has a pH of 4.5 to 6.7 and never use any cleanser that you wouldn’t put on your face, Discovery Health recommends.
Step 2
Wash your hair two or three days per week. Shampooing every day can strip oils from your hair, but using a gentle shampoo two or three times each week will help stimulate the oil glands on your scalp, says Discovery Health. When you shampoo, focus on your roots and scalp and avoid rubbing your hair shafts and ends, Women’s Healthcare Topics website recommends.
Step 3
Use conditioner on a regular basis. Before you apply a conditioner to your hair, however, smell the product to be sure that it doesn’t contain a lot of hair-drying alcohol; conditioners with little to no fragrance are usually low in alcohol or alcohol-free, according to Discovery Health. Women’s Healthcare Topics recommends that you focus on conditioning on your roots and ends and suggests that you leave in the conditioner in for at least 3 minutes during the winter and 1 to 2 minutes in the summer.
Step 4
Buy an over-the-counter hot oil hair treatment and follow its application instructions. Most package instructions suggest that you: heat the product, apply it to your hair for between 5 and 20 minutes, wear a shower cap or plastic bag over your hair while the product is in and then wash the oil out with a gentle shampoo,.
Step 5
Turn down the heat on your styling appliances. Since appliances such as hair dryers, rollers, straightening irons and curling irons can cause extremely dry hair, abstaining from using them is your best bet. However, if you must use them, Discovery Health recommends that you do it sparingly on a low heat setting. Avoid stretching or pulling on your hair in the drying or styling process.
Step 6
Wear protective gear when exposing your hair to the elements. Wear a scarf or hat when you are out in the wind or sun and don a rubber swimming cap to avoid getting your hair wet if you swim often, Women’s Healthcare Topics recommends.
Step 7
Consult a hair stylist for advice on chemical treatments. A stylist is trained in applying hair chemicals should be able to evaluate your hair type and determine which chemicals will work best for your hair—and decide how long you should go between treatments, according to The Nemours Foundation.
Things You'll Need
- Gentle shampoo
- Unscented conditioner
- Hot oil treatment
- Hat or scarf
- Swim cap
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