Hoping for some summer fun? Sun, salt water, and chlorine are essential ingredients for summer, but they tend to dehydrate hair. Winter also offers no escape for dry hair: the wind and the cold. Additionally, dry air can also make it look dry and lifeless.
Any time of year, you can use these tips to revive your dry hair and keep it healthy and hydrated:
1. Choose shampoos with moisturizers
Not all shampoos are the same. Some of them remove natural moisture and oils from your hair.
If you suffer from dry hair, make sure you use a specifically formulated shampoo that is suitable for your dry hair. These shampoos are often labeled “moisturizing” or “regenerating.”
Shampoos that contain a lot of alcohol should especially be avoided, as alcohol will make the condition even worse.
2. Let your hair dry on its own
If possible, don’t blow dry your hair, just let it air dry. The heat generated by blow dryers, flat irons, and other hair styling tools not only causes hair to dry evenly, but can also make it brittle and prone to breakage.
If air-drying your hair takes too long, use a towel to remove as much moisture as you can, then use a blow dryer to dry completely. (Be careful not to rub too hard with the towel. Rubbing can damage hair, especially if yours is dehydrated.)
3. Brush your hair twice a day
Brushing your hair not only keeps it clean, it also moves your scalp’s natural oils further down your hair shaft. When your hair is dry, gently brush it with a soft-bristled brush, using long strokes that reach the end of your hair. Avoid pulling or tugging at your hair.
Brushing the hair removes dirt and other particles that can damage the hair, it also stimulates the production of natural oils in the scalp, giving it an extra shine.
Never brush your hair when it’s wet. Instead, remove tangles with a wide tooth comb.
4. Apply a deep conditioner weekly
If your hair really needs help in the moisturizing department, take some time once a week to apply a deep conditioning treatment. These treatments usually need to be left on for 15 to 30 minutes, to give them a chance to penetrate the follicles and hair shafts.
Deep conditioning treatments are available at any good pharmacy. The best products contain proteins and moisturizers like olive oil.
5. Eat healthy
Your hair is also part of your body. Eating a healthy diet affects the health of your hair.
Your diet should include plenty of fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, good fats, and lean protein. Nutrients your hair especially needs are protein, vitamins A, B, C, E and K, and silica, which help your hair stay shiny, healthy and strong. Good sources of silica include bell peppers, cucumbers, asparagus, and potatoes (with skin).