How to Help Dry Hair
If your hair has the texture of straw, it's virtually exempt of moisture. We routinely subject our hair to harsh processes as well as to the elements, including the sun, and to pollution and free radicals that further damage it. There are ways to cope with dry hair and re-introduce moisture into your mane that should improve your frizzy, breakage-prone locks. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Conditioner
- Expert consultation
- Eggs
- Mayonnaise
- Olive oil
- Vitamins
- Protein-rich diet
- Hat or scarf
Instructions
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Generally avoid products that contain alcohol, which further dries out your locks, creating a head full of bramblelike hair. However, there is a type of alcohol that isn't destructive to dry, frizzy hair, and that is cetyl alcohol, according to Hairbraider.spaces.com. Cetyl alcohol, or "fatty" alcohol, includes stearyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is oilier than other kinds.
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Use hair conditioners on a regular basis. If you aren't satisfied with the results you're getting from your over-the-counter conditioner, try this home remedy found on Forums.timesdaily.com: Mix one egg with 2 tbsp.of olive oil and 1/2 cup of mayonnaise. Slather it on your hair, cover your hair with a towel, leave the concoction on for a half-hour and then rinse out. Mayonnaise, oil and eggs are all great products for introducing moisture to your hair.
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Don't wash your hair daily. Allow your natural oils--which you don't have much of or your hair wouldn't be dry--to surface. You may find that your hair is easier to work with and easier to style if it hasn't been recently washed.
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Consider periodic deep-conditioning treatments. Ask your hair stylist about undergoing such a treatment in the salon. She may have a magic bullet that will put life and moisture back into your dry locks. In an article by Sarah Carrillo on Totalbeauty.com, celebrity stylist Nelson Chan advises using a protein-based product, which works exceptionally well on dry hair and on hair that tends to break. If your hair has the texture of straw, this is the best route to go.
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Avoid bleaching, highlighting and applying heat directly to the hair because all of these processes are going to exacerbate the dryness of your hair.
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Take multivitamins that contain B vitamins, particularly Biotin, which is considered "food for the hair." Make sure that your vitamin contains E, C and A, which are all necessary for healthy hair. Iron is important as well. If you have iron-deficiency anemia, this will be evident in the condition of your hair. Fish oil supplements are full of essential fatty acids, which are also beneficial to hair health.
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Pay attention to your diet. Hair is made up of protein, so it is crucial that you have adequate protein in your system to nourish your hair.
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Cover your hair with a hat or scarf if you are spending long periods of time in the sun. The UV rays can be harmful as well as drying to hair.
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Tips & Warnings
Because of the oils in cetyl alcohol, it can make your hair look and feel smooth; however, if you use too much you are going to end up with unwanted grease.
Resources
- Photo Credit http://www.hairrepairteam.com/
