Hair goals for most women include having soft and perfectly moisturized hair. However, many of us struggle with dry, brittle tresses despite all the information that YouTube has to offer and our best efforts to seal in moisture using the LOC/LCO method. Understanding the cause of why your hair is dry and taking the necessary steps to fix it can eventually lead to a healthy, moisturized hair journey.
Dry hair occurs when the hair shaft cannot absorb or retain enough moisture, resulting in a brittle, lackluster look and feel. This may result from washing too frequently, using harsh soaps and heated styling tools, or excessive exposure to the elements. Honestly, there are so many contributing factors to dry hair that it’s impossible to diagnose without getting down to the details. But, here are several common reasons why your hair might be dry.
#1 Your scalp isn’t making enough moisture
When your hair does not make enough oil, it ultimately leads to dry hair. As you age, your hair naturally makes less oil. Since the roots are under your skin, dry scalp goes along with dry hair. Dry scalp peels and sheds, leading to dandruff flakes on your shoulders.
#2 The moisture you have is escaping
A layer of your hair called the cuticle protects the hair and keeps moisture in. When a cuticle’s layers separate and peel away from hair its ability to hold moisture is compromised which causes oil from your scalp to escape.
#3 Haircare Routine
There are several things that you can be doing in your haircare routine that can cause your hair to be dry. Below, I have listed a few thinks that you might be doing in your haircare routine that is causing dry hair.
- Over-washing or using a harsh shampoo that strips away your hair’s natural oils
- Blow drying your hair too often (drying your hair out) — especially when you apply alcohol-based styling products first
- Using heat tools (i.e. flat irons, wand curls, curling irons)
- Exposing your hair to lots of sun, wind, or dry air
- Applying chemical treatments, including hair color or relaxers
Some Simple Solutions
Below, I have listed some actions for you to take to start moisturizing your hair.
- Don’t wash your hair too often. Once weekly is a good start but be sure to use a hydrating/moisturizing shampoo
- Use a sulfate free shampoo made specifically to help dry hair because it will have fewer drying detergents
- Use hair products that don’t have the bad alcohols (such as Isopropyl and Propyl) because they are drying
- Follow the shampoo with a moisturizing conditioner. It will keep cuticles lying flat so they hold in natural oils
- Massage jojoba oil or coconut oil into your scalp to replenish moisture.
We recommend that you use the PureFix Hair Elixir which is a 6-in-1 hair and scalp treatment and moisturizer. Its all-natural ingredients work together to support longer, stronger hair and to promote hair growth.
Hopefully, these hair care tips and tricks above have taught you more about some causes of dry hair and how to keep your hair looking vibrant and soft.
This article was originally posted on April 18, 2018 and was updated on February 10, 2021.
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My hair is desert dry someone told me that if I drink a lot of water it would help the dryness. But that’s not true. I drink nearly a gallon of water per day. Don’t know what to do it’s constantly shedding
Hi Gwendolyn,
Drinking water certainly helps but is not a fix all. You should try using leave in conditioner and and seal in the moisture with our Purefix Elixir oil. The Oil acts as a sealant. That is important to remember. Some people use oil to moisturize their hair but that does not work. I hope that helps. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us at [email protected]