The University of Maryland Medical Center defines dry hair as hair that lacks oil and moisture, so much so, that the hair is unable to maintain its natural texture and sheen. Restoring moisture to dry hair requires the application of products that attract moisture and coat the hair shaft. Lifestyle changes are also important when it comes to restoring moisture to dry hair. Changes in drying and styling habits can have a big impact on your hair's ability to regain moisture and return to a healthy state.
Step 1
Shampoo your hair with a moisturizing shampoo. Wet your hair with warm water, not hot. Massage a quarter-sized amount of shampoo into your hair and scalp and rinse.
Step 2
Condition your hair with a daily conditioner that contains humectants. Humectants attract moisture to your hair. After shampooing and rinsing, squeeze a quarter-sized amount of daily conditioner into the palm of your hand and massage it into your hair. Rinse with cool water to remove the conditioner.
Step 3
Pat excess water from your hair with a towel instead of blow-drying. The heat from the blow dryer actually robs your hair and scalp of moisture, exacerbating the dryness issue. Air-drying will help restore moisture to your hair and scalp naturally.
Step 4
Apply a deep conditioner to your hair once a week. A deep conditioner containing proteins and humectants will add moisture and seal the cuticle layer of each hair strand making it smoother and more manageable. Apply a liberal amount of the deep conditioner to your hair when it is dry, not wet. Allow it to sit on your hair for 30 minutes and give your hair a cool water rinse.
Step 5
Try an olive oil treatment once a month. Pour ½ cup of olive oil into a small bowl. Pop the bowl into the microwave and heat up the olive oil until it is slightly warm to the touch. Apply the olive oil to your dry hair using your fingertips. Allow the olive oil to remain on your hair for 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water.
Step 6
Opt for natural hairstyles instead of relying on heat. Flat irons, curling irons and hot rollers can wreak havoc on hair that is already lacking much-needed moisture. Also, avoid the use of alcohol-based styling products, because alcohol can make your hair dryer than it already is. If you must have curl, wash your hair and sleep in sponge rollers.
Tips and Warnings
- Place a plastic shower cap over your head after applying a deep conditioner or the olive oil treatment. The plastic shower cap will help the treatments penetrate deeper into your hair. Sitting under a bonnet-style hair dryer will also increase the effectiveness of the moisturizing treatment.
- Refrain from washing your hair every day if you have dry hair. Over shampooing strips your hair of oils, so try to wash your hair every other day or every two to three days. Pat your hair with the towel, do not rub. Rubbing causes friction, which causes further damage to dry hair. Check that the olive oil is not too hot before you apply it to your hair. Hot oil can cause severe burns to the skin. You only need to heat the olive oil slightly.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Daily conditioner
- Towel
- Deep conditioner
- Olive oil
- Small bowl
- Microwave
- Sponge rollers
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