For many, dry hair becomes a big problem. Loss of moisture in hair leads to this problem. The normal moisture content in hair is approximately 10%. When it drops below this, hair becomes rough, cracked or even it may wear off.
Some people may have naturally dry hair, while some may develop dryness due to several reasons. Washing too frequently or vigorously may damage hair. Even constant combing and brushing are not good for hair. Blow dryers and other similar styling implements, dyeing, bleaching, perming and straightening contribute to dryness in hair. Regular swimming in saltwater can also cause dryness in hair.
The key to bring back life to dry hair is to increase the hair’s ability of attract and retain moisture. You can do it by using moisturizers. Good quality moisturizers contain "humectants" that effectively replaces lost moisture. It also attracts moisture and retains it in the cortex of the hair. Essential fatty acids (EFAs) work great as moisturizers. An easily available and cost-effective option is safflower oil, which is rich in EFAs. You do not need to apply a lot of safflower oil in your hair. Just place 1 or 2 drops of it in your palms and rub them together. It is enough if it makes your hands "shine" in the light. Then "scrunch" the small amount of oil to the ends of the hair first and work toward the scalp.
It is better to avoid washing hair regularly unless the scalp is oily. While washing, use a conditioner containing proteins and humectants, including glycerin, quaternium-22 and panthenol. Apply conditioner to the ends only if your scalp is oily. Do not rub your hair vigorously, while drying it. Just squeeze out excess water gently with a towel. Comb it gently, as hair remains weakest when it is wet.
Health of your hair also depends on your food habits. It is good for hair if you take vitamins and drink a lot of water. Oily vitamins such as vitamin E, omegas and primrose oil help develop moisture in hair. The B vitamins are water-soluble and they can help you maintain health of your hair. Avoid stress, as it can make your hair dry and even cause falling.
You can take care of your dry hair by using certain products. However, they cannot permanently repair damaged hair. The only way is to wait for new hair to grow out and take proper care of them.
About the Author
My name is Marquetta Breslin and I'm a professional hair braider with over 12 years of experiance. I own http://www.braidsbybreslin.com where I sell intructional hair braiding and weave DVDs teaching the world how to braid and weave.