Give Shine Back To Your Dry, Lifeless Hair

Everyone suffers dry hair some or the other time in their lives. For some, it is a temporary condition caused by over-exposure to chemicals, such as from chlorine in swimming pools and hair dyes.

Washing hair regularly with hard water containing excessive chemicals or using harsh shampoos which are not suitable for hair also dry out and damage the hair. Hair treatments which are excessively harsh or factors such as overuse of heat in styling procedures and over-exposure of the hair to sunlight also ruin the condition of the hair, making it dry, brittle, frizzy and unmanageable.

For others, it may be a condition caused by internal factors such as stress, nutritional deficiency, malnutrition, lack or deficiency of sebum in the hair, which gives hair its natural shine, or illness, such as hypothyroidism or hypoparathyroidism. In this case, dry hair becomes a chronic condition which needs to be handled by taking appropriate measures to restore one’s health.
Dry hair lacks moisture and oil, and breaks easily.

Therefore, the remedies to cure dry hair must look at restoring moisture in the hair shafts, improving the condition of the scalp, and handling hair gently. Given below are the ways in which you can improve the condition of your hair without professional help.

Combating Nutritional Deficiencies

Malnutrition, deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals in your body or even a poor diet affects the way your skin and hair feel and look. A deficiency of Vitamin E in your body, for instance, can lead to dry, lusterless hair. Consuming foods rich in Vitamin E, like green leafy vegetables, seeds and nuts like walnuts, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, fish oils and salmon can help combat this deficiency, and give the shine back to your skin.

Likewise, a Vitamin A deficiency can make your hair dry and brittle. Consuming carrots, mangoes, papayas, sweet potatoes and green leafy vegetables will help combat this deficiency. For shiny, healthy hair, one must also drink plenty of water and take rest. Avoiding stress and taking regular exercise also contributes to the general well-being of your hair.

Use the Correct Shampoo and Wash your Hair Gently and Infrequently

If you are using shampoos which are too harsh for your hair, it will tell on the condition of your hair in no time at all. Look for shampoos and conditioners which are creamy and designed for dry, frizzy hair. Smoothing shampoos are freely available in the market and work wonders on dry hair. The way you wash your hair is also very important.

Too many of us wash our hair briskly and roughly, which results in the hair cuticles being damaged. One should shampoo the hair gently, and massage the scalp with the fingertips while shampooing to stimulate production of sebum. After shampooing, one should not rub the hair vigorously with a towel, but simply pat it dry. Dry hair needs to be treated very gently. Since excessive shampooing robs the hair of its moisture, try not to wash your hair too frequently. Once a week should be ideal.

Condition After Every Shampoo

Using a conditioner meant for dry hair is very important, as it locks in the moisture in the hair shafts, and makes them smoother, and thus easier to manage. Leave the conditioner on for more than the prescribed two minutes. It really works. Rinse out gently and thoroughly and pat dry. Make sure you are using a conditioner which contains less or no alcohol, as alcohol dries out the hair. The conditioner should be creamy and fragrance-free.

A cold Water Rinse

The last rinse after shampooing should be with water which is as cold as you can manage. Cold water straightens out the hair shafts as it helps to seal in the jagged bits of the shaft of the hair. Warm or hot water used for the final rinse makes for frizzy hair.

Hot Oil Treatments

Nothing works for dry hair like a hot oil treatment, at least twice a week. The best results are seen if you leave the oil in overnight, but even an hour or so after oiling does the trick. Massage in warmed olive or almond oil, to your scalp and the hair shafts. Do not be vigorous in oiling. Wear a shower cap on your hair after oiling, and then wash it out.

Other hair oils which are excellent for the hair are Argan oil, Jojoba oil, and Flax seed oil . Use any of these for hot oil treatments. If you can, prior to washing your hair, take a towel which has been soaked in hot water and then wrung out, and tie it on your head. This will help the oil penetrate more deeply for a better conditioning. Done twice a week, this treatment will work wonders for dry hair.

Hair Serums

There are plenty of hair serums available in the market, which are silicone derivatives, and which control dry hair problems, leading to smoother, more manageable hair. Use only as much as recommended, else you might end up with overly greasy hair. Regular use of serums promotes shine and keeps dry hair at bay.

Weekly Treatments with Hair Masks

There are hair packs which you can make at home, which are highly effective in treating dry hair. Some of these are given below:

Egg, Honey and Oil Mask

Combine an egg with two tablespoons of honey and three tablespoons of olive oil. Spread evenly all over your hair. Leave in for half an hour and then wash with tepid water. Try and use raw honey instead of the purer, pasteurized form.

Fenugreek Mask

Soak a handful of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. In the morning, grind to a paste and apply all over the hair. Wait 30 minutes, and then rinse off.

Mayonnaise Mask

You can use homemade mayonnaise for hair, or buy it from the market. Mayonnaise is an excellent hair mask as it contains oil, eggs and vinegar. Leave on for an hour, and wash with tepid water.

Honey and Banana Mask

Mash two ripe bananas with one tablespoon honey in a blender. Apply all over the hair. You can mix in a tablespoon of any oil of your choice into this mask. The bananas can be substituted with avocados. Avocadoes contain Vitamin E and protein, and the honey and bananas help to retain moisture in the hair.

Try a Vinegar or Honey Rinse

Add one tablespoon honey to a litre of water and use it for the final hair rinse. Alternatively, a final rinse of vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, provides great shine and softness to the hair. Mix one fourth of a cup of vinegar to a cup of water, and use this as a final rinse. Beer also helps to give hair shine. Use flat, leftover beer for the final rinse. Simply pour through and then rinse with lukewarm water.

Other Tips for Dry Hair

Avoid using rubber bands and accessories which pull and strain your hair.
If hair dyes are robbing your hair of moisture and shine, try using henna as an alternative. You can mix a cupful of oil to the henna soaked overnight to condition your hair. Do not brush your hair when wet. Comb through with a wide comb when almost dry.

Avoid using a hair dryer. Try drying your hair under the fan.
Avoid exposure to the sun. If you need to be outdoors under the hot sun for long periods of time, do use a scarf or a hat. Get your hair trimmed regularly. This will cut away the dry, damaged hair, and also keep the new growth healthy.

External factors which dry the hair can be controlled and avoided, and internal factors like poor health can be looked into, to improve the quality of your hair, and leave it soft, silky and manageable. One does not have to live with dry, frizzy hair.