How to Repair Dry & Damaged Hair Naturally
Your hair might be dry and damaged for several reasons, such as living in extremely hot or cold environments, chemical processing, excessive heat styling or poor eating habits. Whatever the cause, there are natural ways to restore the shine, softness and strength to your hair. Eating well and developing a healthy hair regimen are key to repairing dry, damaged hair. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Use a hydrating shampoo. Look for shampoos with natural ingredients that are free of sulfates, which cause dryness by stripping the moisture from your hair. Avoid washing your hair every day; limit washes to once or twice a week and apply conditioner to your hair in the shower as needed between washes. Always use conditioner after washing your hair.
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Apply weekly deep conditioning treatments made of natural ingredients such as olive oil, avocado, coconut oil and egg yolks. The oils add moisture to your hair and the egg yolks strengthen hair with its protein. Allow your hair to soak up the treatment for 20 to 30 minutes so it can penetrate into the hair shaft. Afterward, rinse your hair thoroughly using lukewarm water. Other great hair oils include almond, wheat germ and jojoba oils, since they are easily absorbed.
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Nourish your body with the proper amounts of vitamins, minerals and food. Hair is primarily composed of protein, so eat a diet with sufficient plant or animal protein. Drink plenty of water and take a supplement if necessary. Your diet should include moisture-boosting omega-3 oils as well as vitamins A, E and K.
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Limit your use of heated styling appliances and refrain from using chemical straighteners or perms. Hair dryers and curling or straightening irons can cause considerable damage to the structure of your hair. Although damage can be reduced some by applying heat-protection sprays, damage still occurs, and damaged hair leads to dry hair.
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Wear a hat or scarf on your head if you plan on being out in the sun for a prolonged period of time. The sun's UV rays can cause hair to become dry and brittle if it's exposed to them for too long. Another option is to apply a conditioner to your hair before heading out. This acts as a barrier to the UV rays, adding a layer of protection to your hair.
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Sleep on a satin pillowcase or wrap a satin scarf around you hair to preserve moisture. Unlike cotton fabric that can irritate the strands of the hair as you move around at night, satin is smooth and acts as a buffing agent, shining and polishing your hair as you sleep.
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References
- Photo Credit George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images
