5 Causes of Dry Hair and How to Treat It
When your hair is lifeless, your self-image suffers. Here are five common causes of dry, damaged hair and some effective dry hair treatments for soft, nourished hair.
How to Know if You Have Dry Hair
So, what does dry hair look like? Comparable to anything that lacks moisture, dehydrated hair has lost its shine and appears dull, brittle, and frizzy. Dry hair symptoms also include an itchy, flaky scalp that can’t produce natural hair oils. Other visible signs of dry, damaged hair are split ends, flyaways, and breakage.
What Causes Dry Hair?
- Hot Styling Tools: One of the major causes of dry hair is too much heat, which strips hair of its natural moisture.
- The Wrong Hair Care Products: Using hair care products not formulated for your hair type is another leading cause of dry hair.
- Too Many Washes and Chemical Processes: Washing your hair too often can also remove natural oils, resulting in dehydrated hair. Harsh chemicals in most hair dyes and bleaches are yet more culprits that require dry hair repair.
- Age: Natural oils in the hair become scarcer as you age, plus hormonal changes can cause dry hair.
- Environmental Conditions: Overexposure to the sun, extreme heat and cold, and low humidity can all cause dry hair.
How to Treat Dry Hair
Shield Your Hair from Heat
If heated styling tools are a must, prep your hair with a heat shield like Flat Iron Perfector Straightening Mist or a leave-in treatment like Sleek & Shine 10-in-1 Leave-In Spray for strength and shine. If you color or bleach your hair, look for gentle color-treated hair products like the Garnier Whole Blends Color Care Hair Care collection.
Hydrate and Replenish
Enhance your dry hair treatments with the extra nourishment found in plant extracts. Hair oil for dry hair is one of the best ways to counter the causes of dry hair. Look for nutrient-rich oils like avocado, argan, or coconut. Another powerful ally in dry hair repair is honey, the superstar in dry hair treatments like the Honey Treasures Repairing Mask.
Gentle Care
Learn how to add moisture to dry hair by specifically opting for expert hydration in hair products designed for dry hair. Start with a dry hair repair routine that includes products like Pure Moisture shampoo and conditioner. And go easy on your strands! After washing, pat your hair dry instead of rubbing.
Stay Ahead of Dryness
Almost everyone experiences dry hair at some point, but there are many ways to keep it at bay:
- In harsh conditions, wear a hat and avoid prolonged exposure to the elements. Rinse your hair with clear water before and after jumping in the pool—and don’t forget to check out our moisturizing hair care tips.
- Try to air-dry your hair after showering and use the Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioner to control frizz.
- Wash your hair only once or twice a week, especially if you have moisture-craving curly hair. If you need a refresh between washes, check out our how-to on dry shampoo.
