If your hair is dry, it looks unhealthy and it is hard to style. Dry hair can be caused by a variety of sources, but if its moisture content is lower than 10 percent, it will have trouble attracting or holding onto any sort of moisture. Whatever the cause of your dry hair, there are ways to trace the problem and treat it to bring your hair back to its natural, lustrous state.
Causes
Dry hair can be caused by a variety of factors, many of which can be altered to allow your hair to get its natural moisture back. Dry weather, excessive styling and excessive washing are three main culprits of dry hair. Health factors may also be the cause: anorexia, underactive parathyroid or thyroid, malnutrition and a deficiency in natural sebum can cause dryness in the hair. Finally, environmental factors such as dry air can cause the hair to lose moisture at a rapid pace.
Hair Care Dos
If the cause of your hair dryness is due to circumstances other than health factors, there are some ways to imbue your hair with additional moisture. For one, you want to be sure you condition your hair regularly with a conditioner that contains UV protectors. Keep conditioner in your hair at least one minute, but up to three minutes during the colder and dryer months. To complement conditioning, use hair oil products to restore moisture every once in awhile. Second, only blow dry your hair on the coolest setting. Finally, get your hair trimmed or cut at least every six weeks to get rid of dead ends.
Hair Care Don'ts
Do not use shampoo on a daily basis if your hair is on the dry side. Since shampoo robs your scalp of natural oils, only wash your hair every two to three days. Do not brush wet hair with a hair brush; a wide-toothed comb will be sufficient until your hair is dry. When you do brush your hair, use a boar hair brush. Also, if you use a hair dryer, do not dry thoroughly; let your hair stay slightly damp. Finally, do not use excessively drying hair products such as hair dyes with ammonia.
Dietary Supplements
Foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids are known to help your body produce more skin and hair oils. Cold-water fish such as salmon, many nuts, and flaxseed oil are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Try to incorporate fish into your diet two to four times a week and supplement your daily meals with nuts and flaxseed oil.
When to Seek Medical Advice
Your dry hair should improve with improved hair treatment and home remedies, but if it doesn't, you should contact your doctor to be sure you have no any underlying health problems. Also contact your doctor if you experience other unexplained symptoms such as hair loss or scalp crusting, redness or oozing.
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