Dry Hair Advice

Shiny hair can enhance your appearance. Not only is glossy, manageable hair associated with youth and beauty, it is also an important factor in creating a polished, professional look. According to Kids Health, it is the cuticle, or outer layer of the hair, that dictates how healthy your hair will appear. The cuticle scales can be affected by heat, sun and chlorine, causing them to separate from the shaft and no longer lie flat; the result is dull, dry hair that is more easily damaged. Chemicals can also cause dry hair by reducing, sebum or natural oils.

Symptoms of Dry Hair

Excessively dry hair lacks shine, suppleness and flexibility, and is generally difficult to manage and to style. It may be brittle and stiff to the touch, exhibiting a flyaway texture; in severe cases, your dry hair might take on the texture and appearance of straw. Split, frayed or peeling ends are another sign of excessively dry, damaged hair.

Causes of Dry Hair

Anything that strips the hair of its natural oils can contribute to dryness. Jack Myers, a professional cosmetologist and hair salon owner in Owensboro, Kentucky, and director of the National Cosmetology Association, believes that the two primary causes of dry hair are over-shampooing and swimming in chlorinated or salty water. Myers adds that over-processing -- excessive use of chemicals when coloring or perming hair -- can dry out hair as well, along with the use of blow-dryers and curling irons, overexposure to hot sun and high winds.

General Care for Dry Hair

Until your hair recovers some of its oils, you should avoid getting it colored or permed, and refrain from using curling irons and hair dryers. Instead, allow hair to air-dry after washing. Joanne Harris, a hairdresser in Los Angeles, California, advises sponge or plastic hair rollers as a kinder, gentler way to add curl and body to your dry hair. Hair Boutique recommends sleeping in moistened braids to add texture without drying out hair. Banish split ends by regularly trimming them off before they fray all the way up the hair shaft or break off. Hair Boutique endorses using a round bristle brush to gently brush hair and distribute natural oils from roots to tips.

Proper Shampooing

Many experts agree that too-frequent shampooing is responsible for frazzled and dried-out manes. Thomas Goodman, M.D., a dermatologist from Memphis, Tennessee, and an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences, cautions that excessive shampooing washes out hair's protective oils. Hair Boutique concurs, saying that dry hair should not be shampooed more frequently than once every four days. Use a mild shampoo followed by an intensive conditioner formulated for dry hair, rinse with cool water to help reseal the cuticle, and gently blot hair dry rather than rubbing.

Natural Treatment for Dry Hair

To moisturize and nourish hair naturally, you can do as Spa Index suggests and blend one raw egg together with a quarter peeled cucumber and enough olive oil to fill half of the broken eggshell. Spread the mixture on hair and allow to stay in place for 10 minutes, then rinse out. The remedy, recommended to correct damage from chlorine, is beneficial for dry hair in general. The website advises repeating the treatment monthly.