If you have dry hair then you know that it can feel dry, brittle, crunchy to the touch and frizzy. So, what is it that causes dry hair? Well, the good news is that some causes are preventable, but unfortunately some are not. Genetics play a big role in the type of hair that you have. If your Mom has dry and frizzy hair, then your dry and frizzy hair is probably genetic. Even if you do have unfortunate genetics, there are some things that you can do to help manage this problem.

Inactive Oil Glands: One of the main causes of dry hair is inactive oil glands. If you also have dry skin, then this is probably a big problem for you. You need to make sure that you don’t wash your hair every day. Try every 2 to 3 days instead. This will allow the natural oils to replenish your hair follicles. Also, when you do wash your hair, be sure to use a good quality moisturizing shampoo that will help replenish the essential oils in your scalp. Condition after every shampoo, and don’t overrinse. A little leftover conditioner helps dry hair shine and be more manageable.

Beat The Heat: If you have very dry hair then your worst enemy is HEAT! I am not talking about the weather here. If you have dry hair and you also use a hair dryer or straightener every day, then you are just destroying your hair. A flat iron is probably the worst thing that you could use on your hair every day. Try to use it as little as possible. It’s also a great idea to let your hair air dry after you wash it so you don’t have to use the dryer or straightener as long.

Color & Chemicals: This one is not rocket science. If you are really serious about replenishing your dry hair, then you really should consider not using any more color treatments or chemical relaxers. Also, chlorine from the swimming pool is a major culprit in the summer time. Always be sure to rinse your hair after swimming with fresh water. Never let chlorine stay in your hair for a long period of time. You might also consider using a swim cap if you do use the pool often.

So What Else Can Be Done?

Here are a few ideas if you are serious about treating your dry hair problem:

1) Get a hair cut!

Most dry hair will have at least some split-end damage. The best way to get rid of them is to just cut them off. A hair cut will also allow the new hair to replace the old and damaged hair.

2) Use a wide toothed comb.

Cheap, thin-toothed combs can cause some serious damage especially when hair is wet. Major breakage can happen. A good soft-bristled brush will help distribute the natural oils throughout the entire length of your hair.

3) Coconut or Olive Oil.

You can always visit your salon for a professional dry hair treatment, which might be a good idea if you are serious about a long-term solution. You can spread coconut oil on the ends of your hair and leave it in to help replenish the oils, or you can also massage warm olive oil through your hair, wrap it in plastic and leave in for about 30 minutes. You can then rinse it out with a good quality moisturizing shampoo.  Check out this page to see if coconut oil is good for your hair.  There are other types of oils you may be interested in such as Wild Growth Hair Oil or Jamaica Black Castor Oil.

With a little bit of TLC and a few of these strategies, you can manage your dry hair issues. Try some of these strategies and let me know how they work for you. Good Luck.