Your hair's health impacts its manageability and appearance, making styling difficult. Damaged and dry hair is dull, and can break easily, whether you have curly or straight hair. If your hair is dry, damaged or frizzy, some simple changes in your hair care routine can make it soft and shiny.
Types
Some hair types, particularly natural curls, are prone to dryness, according to NaturallyCurly.com. Frizzy curls are often a sign of dryness, but straight hair can be prone to flyaways and frizz if dry. Chemical treatments, including hair color, perming and relaxing may all leave hair dry and damaged. Environmental factors, including chlorine, sunlight and saltwater may all dry your hair, reports DailyGlow.com.
Function
Dry hair requires moisture, but damaged hair may require both moisture and additional protein to improve its condition and appearance. Daily conditioners designed for dry hair contain emollient ingredients, like oils and nut butters, to add moisture to your hair, according to NaturallyCurly.com. Deep conditioners, including hot oil treatments, provide additional moisture. Protein treatments use keratin to smooth the shaft of the hair and temporarily repair severe damage, according to Long-Healthy-Hair-Advisor.com.
Time Frame
If your hair is dry or damaged, you should not wash it daily. Wash your hair less often, and use a mild shampoo for dry hair, recommends DailyGlow.com. Washing once or twice a week is adequate for dry, frizzy and damaged hair. NaturallyCurly.com suggests replacing your shampoo with conditioner to avoid stripping the oils from your dry hair. Condition your hair in between washing and after shampoo. Make time for deep conditioning treatments once a week.
Considerations
Experiment with store-bought deep conditioning products or make your own homemade conditioners for dry and damaged hair. WomensHealthCareTopics.com recommends mayonnaise as a conditioner, or you can warm olive or coconut oil and apply it to your hair. Leave these deep conditioners in your hair for at least 30 minutes, then wash out the oil or mayonnaise. Use a homemade deep conditioning treatment instead of a purchased conditioner weekly.
Care
While adding moisture to your dry hair is essential, it is equally important that you avoid styling processes that will dry or damage your delicate hair. Allow your hair to dry naturally and avoid hair dryers, flat irons and curling irons, suggests DailyGlow.com. Comb or brush your hair only as needed, and avoid coloring, perming and other chemical treatments.
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