Dry Hair: Natural Ways to Improve Shine

Dry hair lacks moisture and looks dull and frizzy. It is damaged, so it breaks and tangles easily with split ends. Dry hair usually appears flat and lacks natural shine and bounce like healthy hair.

The most common cause of dry hair is overwashing (shampooing). Shampoo strips off hair’s natural oils every wash, and using shampoo excessively without replacing the lost oil is hard on the hair.

  • Washing your hair too frequently can strip natural oils, leading to dryness.
  • Shampoos with harsh detergents or alcohol can deplete hair's natural moisture.
  • Using a residue-stripping shampoo with high alkalinity or acidity too frequently damages your hair.
  • Blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners can damage the hair shaft and remove moisture.
  • Chemical salon hair treatments such as coloring, perming, and relaxing can weaken hair and cause it to become dry and brittle.
  • Exposure to the elements like the wind, the sun’s UV rays, or freezing temperatures strips moisture from the hair.
  • Prolonged exposure to treated water such as chlorine, bromides, salt in swimming pools or hot tubs can cause dry and damaged hair

Nutrition is Crucial for Healthy Hair

A balanced diet provides the essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that promote hair growth, strength, and overall health. A diet lacking vital nutrients, especially vitamins A, E, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and minerals, can affect hair health. While supplements can help, getting nutrients from whole foods is best. By incorporating nutrient-rich foods into your diet, you can support the health and vitality of your hair, promoting growth, strength, and shine.

  • Hydration: Not drinking enough water can lead to overall dehydration, including dry hair. Hydration is essential for maintaining the moisture balance of the scalp and hair. Drinking adequate water ensures that the hair stays hydrated from within.
  • Protein: Hair is primarily made up of a protein called keratin. Adequate protein intake is essential for hair growth and repair.
  • Vitamin A: promotes the production of sebum, an oily substance that moisturizes the scalp and keeps hair healthy.
  • Vitamin B: Includes biotin, which strengthens hair and improves its texture. B vitamins help carry oxygen and nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles.
  • Vitamin C: Helps produce collagen, a protein that strengthens hair. It also aids in the absorption of iron.
  • Vitamin D: This may help create new hair follicles and is linked to hair growth.
  • Vitamin E: Protects hair from oxidative stress and improves circulation.
  • Iron: Essential for red blood cells to carry oxygen to the hair follicles. Iron deficiency can lead to hair loss.
  • Zinc: Helps with hair tissue growth and repair. Zinc deficiency can lead to hair loss and a dry, flaky scalp.
  • Magnesium: Contributes to hair strength and prevents hair breakage.
  • Omega-3: Keeps the scalp hydrated and supports hair growth. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and can help open hair follicles and promote growth.

Certain health conditions (like thyroid disorders) that cause hormonal imbalance can affect hair texture and moisture. Our body produces fewer oils as we age, and our skin and hair become drier. Anorexia or other conditions affecting nutrition and digestion can also lead to dry hair.

Dry, Damaged Hair Cannot be Completely Repaired

The bad news is that hair cannot be fully repaired once severely damaged. Your hair comprises dead cells from a keratin protein. Unlike living tissues, dead cells in the hair shaft cannot regenerate or heal themselves. Once the hair's protein structure is compromised, the loss is irreversible. Treatments can only temporarily fill in the gaps and smooth the surface but do not restore the original structure. To have gleaming, healthy hair, the hair must grow out.

There are ways to improve and temporarily repair dry hair and help restore its shine and luster.

  • Gentle Treatment: It's only common sense, but treating your hair gently and avoiding harsh chemicals and temperatures will help it bounce back more quickly.
  • Conditioners and Treatments: Products like conditioners, serums, and masks can improve the appearance and feel of damaged hair by coating it and providing temporary moisture and protection.
  • Bonding: Some treatments can temporarily bond split ends and smooth the hair shaft, but these effects are not permanent and will wash out over time.

Home Remedies and Natural Cures for Dry Hair

The best solution for dealing with severely damaged hair is to allow it to grow out and gradually cut off the damaged portions. The new hair that grows from the scalp will be healthy, provided it is cared for properly. To ensure new hair remains healthy, adopt good hair care practices such as using gentle shampoos, avoiding excessive heat styling, and limiting chemical treatments.

While hair treatments can temporarily improve the look and feel of damaged hair, they cannot repair the damage on a cellular level. Once hair is badly damaged, the only way to restore healthy hair is to let it grow out and trim away the damaged portions over time. Adopting good hair care habits will help prevent future damage and maintain the health of new hair growth.

Understanding the causes of dry hair and implementing these preventive measures and remedies can help maintain your hair's moisture and overall health.

Gentle Hair Care

Home remedies for dry hair include replacing harsh treatment with gentle hair care, such as less frequent washing with shampoo.

  • Shampoos should be used 2-3 times a week, and conditioners more often. Look for sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. To replenish moisture, use deep conditioning treatments or hair masks regularly.
  • Avoid using a blow dryer. Use the lowest heat setting if you must.
  • For those who love to swim, use a rubber cap while swimming or apply olive oil to your hair before putting on the rubber swimming cap.
  • You will also help your hair by pacing hair treatments enough to let the hair recover from chemical treatments that break hair bonds and weaken the hair.

Shampoo

  • If your hair is dry, you should not shampoo it more than three or four times a week.
  • Each time you shampoo, your hair loses moisture; if it’s already dry, you do not want it to lose any more moisture.
  • Use a shampoo and conditioner formulated especially for dry hair.

Permanents And Hair Dyes

  • Avoid these as much as possible if you have dry hair, especially alcohol-based ones.
  • Both permanents and hair dyes dry hair; if you already have dry hair, they will only worsen the problem.

Styling

  • Many hairstyles, especially those requiring the use of hair sprays to hold them in place, tend to dry hair over time. To prevent further hair dryness, use a leave-in conditioner that moisturizes it to avoid further damage.
  • Don't use a blow dryer or curling iron more than you have to.
  • If hair tangles easily, use a detangler spray when wet. To remove tangles, use a wide-tooth comb. Comb hair slowly, and do not pull out snarls.
  • Trimming the ends of your hair regularly can prevent split ends and keep hair looking healthy.

Protect Your Hair from the Elements

Sun, wind, and freezing temperatures can damage hair. Wear a hat or a scarf to protect your hair from the sun, wind, and cold weather. Protecting your hair from the sun and wind is essential to maintain health and prevent damage. Hats, scarves, and UV protection in your conditioner can help keep your hair healthy and shiny.

Wear Protective Headgear
  • Hats: Wide-brimmed hats or caps can shield your hair and scalp from direct sunlight and wind. Choose hats made of breathable materials to prevent sweating.
  • Scarves: Scarves can be stylish and protective. Wrap lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton or silk around your head.
Use Hair Products with UV Protection
  • Leave-In Conditioners: Look for leave-in conditioners or sprays that contain UV filters. These products help protect your hair from the damaging effects of the sun.
  • Sunscreen for Hair: Some products are specifically designed to provide UV protection for hair. These can be sprays, creams, or oils you apply before entering the sun.

Natural Homemade Hot Oil Treatment

A homemade hot oil treatment can deeply moisturize and nourish your hair, leaving it soft, shiny, and healthy. Here's a simple guide to making and applying a hot oil treatment at home. Regular moisturizing treatments will provide the best results over time. Depending on your hair's condition, you can use the treatment once weekly or as needed. Incorporating this homemade hot oil treatment into your hair care routine allows you to maintain moisturized, healthy, and shiny hair naturally.

Base oil: Choose one or a combination of the following oils, depending on your hair needs. Adjust the oil based on your hair's needs and preferences.:

  • Olive oil (moisturizes and adds shine)
  • Coconut oil (strengthens and conditions)
  • Almond oil (nourishes and smoothens)
  • Avocado oil (repairs and hydrates)
  • Jojoba oil (mimics natural scalp oils and conditions)

Instructions

  • Prepare the Oil: Measure 2-4 tablespoons of your chosen base oil(s) in a heat-safe bowl. The amount will vary depending on your hair length and thickness.
  • Heat the Oil: Heat it using a double boiler to ensure it doesn't get too hot. Place the bowl of oil in a pot of hot water and heat gently. Alternatively, you can microwave the oil for 10-15 seconds. Please ensure it's warm, not hot, to avoid burning your scalp.
  • Apply the Oil: Test the oil temperature by placing a drop on your wrist. Section your hair into manageable parts. Apply the warm oil to your scalp and hair, starting at the roots and working to the ends. Massage the oil into your scalp for 5-10 minutes to stimulate blood circulation.
  • Wrap Your Hair: Once fully coated, wrap it in a warm towel or cover it with a shower cap. For added heat, wrap a hot towel over the shower cap or use a hairdryer on a low setting for a few minutes.
  • Let it Sit: Leave the oil in your hair for at least 30 minutes. You can leave it on for a few hours or overnight for deeper conditioning.
  • Rinse and Shampoo: Rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water. Shampoo your hair to remove the oil. You may need to shampoo twice to ensure all the oil is washed out. Condition your hair as usual if needed.
  • Dry and Style: Gently towel dry your hair and let it air dry or style it as usual.

Natural Hair Conditioners

Creating a homemade hair conditioner with natural ingredients is a great way to nourish your hair. Depending on your hair's condition, use these conditioners once a week or as needed. Make sure to apply the conditioner evenly throughout your hair. Rinse thoroughly to ensure no residue is left in your hair. Incorporating these homemade hair conditioners into your hair care routine allows you to maintain soft, healthy, and shiny hair naturally.

Here are a few simple recipes for different hair types and needs:

Avocado and Honey Conditioner

This conditioner is great for damaged, dry hair.

Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Mash the avocado in a bowl until smooth
  2. Add honey and olive oil and mix well.
  3. Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the ends.
  4. Leave on for 20-30 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and shampoo as usual.

Mayonnaise, Egg, and Olive Oil Conditioner

Great for shine and strengthening hair

Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon mayonnaise


Instructions:

  1. Whisk the egg in a bowl until beaten.
  2. Add olive oil and mayonnaise and mix well.
  3. Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the roots and ends.
  4. Leave on for 15-20 minutes.
  5. Rinse thoroughly with cool water and shampoo as usual.

Chemical Help: Ola Plex from Amazon

Olaplex is a hair product brand that uses a patented ingredient to repair broken hair bonds. The ingredient, Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, works by finding broken sulfur hydrogen bonds and cross-linking them to form disulfide bonds. This process can help with damage caused by heat, chemicals, mechanical means, and hair coloring.

Olaplex products work on all hair types and help with defined curls, shinier strands, and a silky-smooth finish.

Olaplex products can be purchased from amazon.com or in a salon. At-home products are slightly diluted versions of the salon treatment and can be used before chemical services or maintenance. Some recommend using the two-part Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Treatment and Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector once or twice a week or three times a week if your hair is severely dry and damaged. You can apply the product to damp hair, put it in a bun, and let it sit. Results can be had in as little as 10 minutes, but the longer you leave it in, the better.

If your hair is severely dry and damaged from chemical treatments, it's best to seek advice from a hair professional before trying any home chemical treatment.