Shiny hair looks like healthy hair. If your hair is dried out, it can hang limp, fray, break or appear dull and lifeless. Hair gets moisture from sebaceous glands at the skin's surface; the hair itself produces no oil. Dry hair can be a sign of an underlying health concern, such as malnutrition or a thyroid problem, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. Usually, you can treat excessively dry hair with basic care at home. See your doctor or dermatologist if you can't remedy the condition, if you begin losing hair or if you experience other hair-related symptoms.
Step 1
Eliminate or limit your hair's exposure to harsh, drying products and elements. Don't use soap, alcohol or other astringents on your hair or scalp. Skip styling products, such as hair coloring agents and hair sprays. Avoid heated curlers, straightening irons, blow dryers, chemical relaxers, dry air, wind, prolonged time in chlorinated or salt water and too much time in direct sunlight.
Step 2
Shampoo your hair as infrequently as feasible. Shampooing strips moisturizing oils from the hair, as Dr. Thomas Goodman Jr., a dermatologist and University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences professor, explains in "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies." Try shampoos designed for treating dry hair until you find one that works best at remedying your problem.
Step 3
Use a conditioner following every shampoo. Or apply mayonnaise to your hair for 5 to 60 minutes as a natural alternative, Goodman suggests in his book. Alternatively, apply a mixture of mashed up, brown banana and avocado, recommends Hollywood hairdresser Joanne Harris in Goodman's book.
Step 4
Use a pump spray bottle to apply beer to your hair after shampooing and thoroughly drying your hair with a towel. The smell will quickly dissipate, Goodman's book notes.
Step 5
Place a comb or brush against your scalp and pull it over the length of your hair to help spread the oil from your sebaceous glands onto your hair shafts.
Step 6
To promote scalp and hair health, incorporate foods rich in B vitamins, zinc and omega-3 fatty acids into your daily diet, advises the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center College of Medicine. Avoid foods high in sugar or yeast.
Step 7
Get moisturizing treatments at a hair styling salon. Try a steam with applications of hydrating oils.
Tips and Warnings
- Swimmers should wear a cap to protect hair from drying caused by exposure to pool chemicals.
Things You'll Need
- Moisturizing shampoo
- Conditioner
- Beer
- Pump spray bottle
Member Comments