Your hair and scalp are two major areas of the body that can be susceptible to drying out. Your hair and scalp need moisture to stay healthy. Without this moisture, hair can become damaged and brittle, and the skin of your scalp can become flaky and irritated. If dry hair and scalp is a common problem for you, there are several ways that you can reduce dryness and return the top of your head to a more healthy state.
Drying
The way you dry your hair after showering can help prevent excessively dry and brittle hair. Using harsh drying methods, such as a blow dryer, strips the hair and scalp of their moisture according to the National Institute of Health. Instead of using a heated dryer, let your hair air dry, or gently pat (do not rub) your hair dry with a towel. If you still choose to use a blow dryer, use it on its lowest heat setting to help prevent excessive drying of the hair and scalp.
Shampoos
Using a moisturizing shampoo and limiting the amount of times you shampoo your hair each week can also help treat dry hair and scalp. Your hair and scalp depend on sebum, an oil produced by the sebaceous glands in your skin, to help retain moisture. When you shampoo your hair, the surfactants of the shampoo remove the sebum from your hair strands and scalp. Removing too much sebum removes the skin and hair's protection against dryness. Shampooing every other day (or less) each week, and using a moisturizing shampoo, can help you regain the natural moisture in your hair and scalp.
Conditioners
Using a conditioner after you shampoo can help treat dry hair. Conditioners are designed to improve the strength of your hair and reduce the effects of static electricity. These benefits help protect your hair from becoming damaged, which can lead to dry and brittle hair. Leave-in conditioners may also help treat and prevent problems with dry hair.
Chemicals
If you regularly expose your hair to chemicals through dying, relaxing or perming, stopping those hair treatments can help your hair and scalp recover its natural moisture. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), the chemicals used in these treatments can damage hair strands and irritate the scalp, leading to problems with dryness.
Sun Exposure
Reducing the amount of time you spend in the sun can also help treat dry hair and scalp. Direct sunlight increases the rate at which moisture escapes from the hair and scalp, leaving your scalp feeling dry and the hair feeling brittle. If you are planning to spend time outside, wear a hat to protect your scalp and hair. Using a leave-in zinc hair conditioner can also help keep the hair from losing moisture in the sun, according to the AAD.
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