Dry, brittle hair is prone to breakage, not to mention unsightly frizz. Over cleansing, heat stylers and chemical processing can all lead to a head of hair that is less than manageable. Dry hair lacks the moisture content necessary to maintain its silky sheen, according to MedLline Plus. Reintroducing moisture to your hair and adjusting the way you care for your hair can help improve its texture, minimize flyaways and restore smoothness.
Don’t Overwash
Keep hair-washing to a minimum. Excessive washing robs your scalp and hair of necessary moisture. Wash your hair every two or three days instead of every day. Choose a moisturizing shampoo containing cocoamphacarboxyglycinate, sulfosuccinate or lauroamphoglycinate, which can help restore your hair’s natural pH, which is 5.0 according to the University of Pittsburgh.
Condition After Shampooing
Condition your hair after each shampoo. A conditioner containing keratin will replenish moisture and help smooth your hair’s cuticle layers, giving your hair a silkier appearance. A main component of human hair, keratin is a fibrous protein made up of amino acids. Conditioners containing keratin proteins can actually improve hair’s texture, according to the University at Buffalo.
Deep Condition Twice a Week
Apply a deep conditioner to your hair once a week. Shampoo your hair as normal and apply the deep conditioner in place of your normal conditioner. A weekly deep conditioning will work in conjunction with your regular shampoo and conditioner, controlling frizz and restoring moisture. While an ordinary daily conditioner will help restore your hair to a healthy state, it often does not contain the same concentration of proteins as a deep conditioner. A deep conditioner also has a thicker consistency, which is often too heavy for everyday use.
Towel-Dry
Towel-dry your hair instead of using a blow dryer. The heat from the dryer actually boils away the water on your hair, leaving your hair prone to dryness and breakage. Blot your hair with the towel, while removing as much water as possible. Then, let your hair air dry.
Get a Trim
Trim your hair every six to eight weeks. Frequent trimming will free your hair of frizzy, dry ends and keep it looking its best. Keep in mind that if you have a short haircut with lots of layers or if your hair tends to grow quickly, you may find that you need a trim more often.
