Slideshow: Natural Help for Dry or Damaged Hair
Can Your Hair Pass the Test?
Is every day a "bad hair day" for you? If your troubles come from dry or damaged locks, regular styling might hurt more than help. Take a dry strand and gently pull both ends to stretch it. If it breaks easily, you don't have enough moisture in your hair.
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A Better Brand of Moisturizer
A lot of products saythey’re moisturizing on the label. In reality, they might simply coat your hair to make it feel softer. Look for products with natural oils like olive or argan oil, or glycerin, sorbitol, or shea butter. But stay away from shampoos with mineral oil and petrolatum, which keep outside moisture from getting in.
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Heat: Friend or Enemy?
Heat is still the best way to get a sleek, smooth look. But you do need to protect your hair from damage caused by blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons. Apply a heat styling cream while your hair is damp. If you have fine hair, set your styling tools to low. Medium and coarse hair can handle slightly higher temperatures.
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Watch Out for the Weather!
No matter your hair type, weather stresses it out. Cold air and blazing sun can be drying -- so can salt water and chlorine. When your tresses have been exposed, consider using a shampoo and conditioner designed for dry hair. You should also wear a hat when outside conditions are bad.
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Let Go of Some Length
Why are you holding on to those scraggly ends? General rule of thumb: Trim dead ends every 6 to 8 weeks, especially if you use hot tools regularly. Stylists warn against snipping strands at home because dull scissors can fray your ends even more. Plus, cutting the back of your hair in a straight line isn't easy!
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Give Hair a Lube Job
If you're super-dry, try jojoba or coconut oil. Rub a few drops onto damp hair and leave it on for a few minutes. Wash out the oil treatment with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. For more impact, give your styling tools a day off and let your hair air dry.
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Get Your Hair Ready for Bed
Treat your hair well, even while you sleep. Get the tangles out before bed with a boar-bristle brush. Brushing also helps spread out oils from your scalp. If you have long hair, twist it back into a loose bun, tuck the ends under, and fasten it with a hair tie. If you have short hair, sleep on a silk pillowcase. It causes less friction.
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Don't Fry It with Chemicals
Does your hairstyle include perms, relaxers, or permanent hair color? Chemicals take away hair's natural moisture and weaken the strands. If you have too many chemical treatments, your hair might turn dull and frizzy. Try to keep your salon hair color within three shades of your natural hair color. Hair color closer to your natural shade needs less processing. And try to space out your treatments.
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Be a Kitchen Beautician
Whip up a DIY hair mask by mixing equal parts honey and olive oil in a small bowl. It might smell good enough to eat, but this one's for luscious locks! Rub the mask evenly through your hair, and then wrap it in plastic wrap for 30 minutes. Wash it out with shampoo and conditioner. Do it at least once a month, or every week if you can.
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Shampoo vs. No-poo
You may want freshly washed hair every day. But it's not necessary unless your scalp is really oily. Try shampooing less often. Or shampoo one day and "no-poo" -- wet your hair but use just conditioner -- the next. Whenever you shampoo, rub just the scalp and let the lather run down your hair. Use conditioner near the ends, not the scalp.
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The Hair Diet
Your hair craves healthy fats! So eat plenty of avocados, salmon, and olive oil. These foods are jam-packed with essential fatty acids, which can moisturize a dry scalp with natural oils. Whatever you do, don’t crash diet -- you’ll be starving your body of important nutrients that you need to produce healthy hair.
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Sources Medically Reviewed on 02/28/2019 Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on February 28, 2019
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REFERENCES:
American Academy of Dermatology: "Going to great lengths for beautiful hair: Dermatologist shares hair care tips for healthy and damaged hair."
Victoria Barbosa, MD, Millennium Park Dermatology, Chicago.
Draelos, Z. International Journal of Trichology, January-June 2010; vol 2: pp 24-29.
Kassandra Kuehl, owner of Kasia Organic Salon, Minneapolis.
Randi Petersen at Artists by Timothy Priano, Los Angeles hair stylist.
TeensHealth: "Taking Care of Your Hair."
Abenaa Timazee, owner of Brownstone Natural Hair & Barber Studio l, Philadelphia.
Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on February 28, 2019
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
