Dry Hair: Best 11 Care Tips

Straw-dry hair is a common issue. Its lack of sebum can make it brittle, rough to the touch, and often impossible to style!

This type of hair requires a great deal of maintenance, but with a few tricks, well-targeted care, and a good dose of attention, you can remedy the situation and make it more supple.

Grandma’s tricks, professional advice, beauty elixirs, hair routines: we give you the battle plan to put an end to dry hair.

1. Rely on the right shampoo-conditioner duo

If there were only one thing we could do, this would be it. Today, there’s a shampoo and conditioner for every type of problem.

If you look hard enough, whether online or in a supermarket, you can target specific problems: dry, brittle hair, dry, curly hair, dull, dry hair, etc.

If you’re unsure, or if you’d like a made-to-measure product, the best idea is to turn to a hairdresser, in a salon, who will be able to advise you.

This is often a little more expensive, but the advantage of a well-chosen product is that it will deliver promising results!

2. Leave-in mask

When you have dry hair, you can’t do without a good hair mask once a week. A genuine in-depth treatment, it not only nourishes and moisturizes the hair fiber, but can also repair it.

All hair care brands offer masks for dry hair. There’s something for every budget and every hair type (dry wavy hair, dry itchy hair, fine dry hair…).

We can mention, for example, Kérastase, Klorane, René Furterer, Elsève, Phyto, Cantu, Activilong, or Weleda.

If you prefer, you can also consider a natural solution by concocting your homemade mask. It’s not hard to spot a grandmother’s recipe based on yogurt, aloe vera, egg, avocado, or essential oil – there are plenty!

Whether you choose a store-bought or homemade mask, the method of application is the same.

Spread the product all over wet hair, then leave it on for half an hour (or at least 20 minutes if you’re in a hurry). The active ingredients need time to penetrate the hair fiber.

Rinse with lukewarm water to remove any traces of the mask, and finish with cold water to tighten the scales.

3. Opt for an oil bath

This is an essential natural treatment for pampering dry hair. An oil bath helps to replenish hair’s lipid deficiency with essential fatty acids.

Several oils are beneficial for dry hair: coconut oil, castor oil, and argan oil are the top 3.

The first step is to separate the hair into several sections, then apply the oil strand by strand, so that the whole hair is well impregnated. Then put on a turban or charlotte and wait!

As for application time: the longer, the better! Ideally? Overnight! In the morning, remove any residue with a gentle shampoo.

4. Dry your hair (without burning it)

We can’t stress this enough: heat is the enemy of hair. So it’s essential to protect it. Hairdrying is not forbidden, but there are precautions to be taken to avoid further drying out the hair fiber.

A good idea is to coat your hair with a protective spray that acts like a shield. That said, it’s a good idea not to set your hair dryer on maximum heat.

A common mistake is to stick the nozzle of the blow dryer to the hair strand, which is risky because it can burn.

The right thing to do: hold the nozzle about fifteen centimetres from the strand, which is enough for the warm air to spread and dry the hair.

5. Protect your hair from damage

Logically, when your hair is dry, you need to protect it from anything that could dry it out further.

In summer, we’re wary of UV rays by applying sun cream to our face and body, but we often forget about our hair. But hair can burn too!

So we draw on a protective spray that coats the hair fiber and forms a barrier against the sun. The good news is that it also works to protect against chlorine in the pool or salty seawater.

On the other hand, avoid oils at all costs in the sun, as they could fry your hair!

6. Look after your diet

Not everyone has dry hair for the same reason. When the cause is a vitamin deficiency, it’s a good idea to monitor your diet and, if necessary, take supplements.

Dry hair that falls out needs a boost in vitamins B and A, as well as iron and magnesium. Foods rich in group A vitamins: evening primrose or borage oil, fish liver oil, wheat germ, carrots, oily fish…

Brewer’s yeast, pollen, and oilseeds are also ideal for boosting vitamin B levels.

It’s hard to be faultless and absorb all the essential nutrients you need every day, so a course of food supplements can give you a helping hand to make up for any deficiencies.

We avoid online purchases at all costs and go to a pharmacy to obtain a balanced, high-quality complex. Of course, if you’re pregnant, going through menopause or in any other special situation, be sure to tell your pharmacist.

7. Space your shampoos

Even when using an organic and/or very mild shampoo, the golden rule is not to wash your hair every day. The shampoo-water combo will accentuate dryness and make the problem worse.

Hair rarely needs daily cleansing anyway! Washing your head once a week is enough.

Of course, common sense prevails: if you’ve been exercising and want to eliminate perspiration, don’t hesitate.

Finally, in the particular case of dry, greasy hair(dry lengths, greasy roots), try to solve the problem with a dry shampoo.

8. Avoid chemical treatments

When your hair is really dry, it’s more fragile, so there’s no point in exposing it to further aggression.

Hair coloring, highlights, bleaching, Brazilian straightening, and perming should all be avoided.

These hair treatments contain hyper-drying substances like ammonia, and you risk ending up with dry, damaged, or even completely dehydrated hair…

9. Treat yourself to a salon treatment

If you can’t see any improvement and your hair remains dry despite treatment and is damaged to boot, you need to take your hair to the professionals.

There are various keratin-enriched treatments available, but the protocol is often the same. The hairdresser begins with a detoxifying shampoo, followed by an even application of the keratin treatment.

The hair is then wrapped in a protective film, and the heated helmet is used for around twenty minutes before rinsing.

This type of treatment provides deep, long-lasting hair rehabilitation.

10. Play with styling

There’s no miracle when you have very dry hair; it’s not always easy to style, and you’re tempted to camouflage it. The most effective hairstyling solution in this case is to tie it up.

A slightly disheveled bun with a few loose strands, or a crumpled braid, conceal spikes or brittle lengths.

That said, a regular haircut will do them a world of good. This prevents over-dried strands from becoming damaged and split ends from growing back.

11. Don’t overuse styling products

Most styling sprays, mousses, gels, and hairsprays contain alcohol in their formula. It’s effective for taming frizz, but on closer inspection, it’s not a good option for dry curly hair, and even less so for dry, brittle frizzy hair.

One of the effects of alcohol is to dissolve lipids – in this case, the hair’s protective oils, i.e. sebum. This means that this type of styling product will strip the hair fiber of its sebum, drying it out even more.

Check the list of ingredients on your styling product to make sure it contains little or none. If you find ethyl alcohol, alcohol denat, or isopropyl alcohol at the top of the ingredients list, it’s best to put the product down.

You might like also: Dry Oil For Hair: 4 Benefits And Best Way to Use

Related Questions

• What causes dry hair?
  Dry hair is often caused by factors like overwashing, using harsh hair products, and environmental conditions.
• How can I prevent my hair from becoming dry?
  To prevent dryness, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, limit heat styling, and protect your hair from the sun.
• What are some home remedies for dry hair?
  Home remedies include using coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado as a deep conditioning treatment.
• How often should I wash my dry hair?
  Wash your hair 2-3 times a week with a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid stripping natural oils.
• Should I use a hair mask for dry hair?
  Yes, using a hydrating hair mask once a week can help restore moisture and improve the condition of your hair.
• Can I use a leave-in conditioner for dry hair?
  Yes, a leave-in conditioner can help keep your hair hydrated throughout the day.
• How can I protect my hair from heat damage?
  Use a heat protectant spray before using heat styling tools and avoid using high heat settings.
• Should I trim my hair regularly to prevent dryness?
  Yes, regular trims can help prevent split ends, which can contribute to dryness and breakage.
• Is it important to stay hydrated for healthy hair?
  Yes, drinking enough water is important for overall hair health and can help prevent dryness.
• Are there specific foods that can help improve dry hair?
  Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A and E, and biotin can help promote healthy hair growth and prevent dryness.