Hair that has been overprocessed due to straightening, blow drying, curling, exposure to chlorine, frequent coloring, perming or styling sprays may feel brittle and dry--like straw. If hair is damaged, it may break off towards the crown of the head or feel sticky when it is wet. To infuse moisture back into your hair, try a home remedy or an over-the-counter moisturizing treatment.
Significance
Hair that has been subjected to too many chemical or heat processes is stripped of moisture and protein, making it feel dry. Dry hair can break more easily than healthy hair, particularly when it is wet. Dry hair is also more prone to split ends, which can make hair looked frayed and messy. The hair's natural integrity will not completely be restored until it grows out, but in the meantime, moisturizing hair treatments can make hair more manageable.
Solution
You can make a hair treatment mask at home by combining avocado, an egg, 2 to 3 tbsp. of olive oil and a banana and mashing them into a thick paste, suggests "Cosmopolitan " magazine. "Cosmopolitan" advises applying this mixture to the hair for 10 minutes, rinsing it off in the shower, then shampooing and conditioning regularly. Avocados contain proteins, which will help strengthen the hair, while olive oil and banana will help retain moisture.
Identification
Some moisturizing hair products will weigh hair down, making it look greasy and flat, notes "Marie Claire" magazine. To avoid this, "Marie Claire" suggests avoiding products that are advertised as being "smooth" or "sleek," because they may weigh hair down too much. "Marie Claire" recommends Garnier Strength and Repair Shampoo and Garnier Instant Melting Conditioner for daily use, and Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask for use once a week.
Prevention
Cutting off split ends may make hair look healthier and shinier, according to "Seventeen" magazine. After getting a trim, cover your hair with a swimming cap when swimming, and avoid blow dryers, curling irons and straightening irons. Use hair color and perms as infrequently as possible. This will restore hair's integrity, making it healthier and preventing breakage in the long run.
Expert Insight
Helen Ambrosen, a product creator at Lush cosmetics tells "Seventeen" that avocado oil is a great hair treatment to help moisturize and strengthen hair. "Avocado oil is packed with vitamins and proteins to help condition the scalp and hair," states Ambrosen. By mashing up an avocado and using it on the hair, either by itself or in the egg, banana and olive oil recipe, hair will absorb moisture from the avocado oil, making it stronger and healthier.
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