Dry hair and dry scalp can be caused by weather, hormones, hair care, and sun damage.
There are lots of things you can do to nourish and strengthen your hair and scalp to prevent drying up.
Here are some of those things:
1. Choose sulfate-free moisturizing hair products
Sulfates are detergents that make products suds up but they’re harsh. When you use shampoo and condition with sulfates, they strip the natural oils from your hair and scalp which can make your dry issue even worse.
To protect your hair and help it stay hydrated, get products that say they moisturize your hair with natural ingredients. A great shampoo or conditioner might have aloe, vitamin E, argan oil, or baobab oil, for instance.
2. Limit your hair washing
Your dry hair and scalp need their natural oils. When you wash your hair, you strip these oils away, making your hair and scalp even drier. Limit your hair washing to just 2 or 3 times a week at the max so the natural oils can hydrate your hair and scalp.
It’s totally fine to wash your hair after exercising or getting sweaty. You can also use dry shampoo in between washes.
Alternatively, just rinse your hair during your daily shower and apply conditioner (not shampoo).
3. Deep condition your hair and scalp once a week
Protect your hair from moisture loss by locking in hydration. Massage a deep conditioner or coconut oil through your hair, starting at the ends and working toward your scalp. Let it sit on your hair for 20 to 30 minutes before you rinse it out with cool water. This seals the outside cuticles of your hair so moisture can’t escape as easily.
Read also: 12 Amazing Things Hair Styling Does To Your Beauty
4. Try to avoid styling your hair with heat
Heat is hard on dry hair since it pulls out even more moisture. Instead of blow-drying your hair, let it air dry. If you like to straighten or curl your hair with a styling iron, only do it once a week to minimize the damage.
5. Wear a hat and stay in the shade when you are outside
Sun damage is incredibly harsh on your hair. The sun’s rays penetrate deep into your hair which makes it dry and brittle. This is why it’s so important to wear a hat that covers your hair. For even more protection, stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
6. Cover your hair when you swim in a chlorinated pool
To protect your dry hair and scalp, pop on a swim cap before you jump in the pool. If you don’t feel like wearing a swim cap, don’t let your hair get wet while you swim.
Read also: 5 Causes Of Premature Graying Of Hair
7. Eat foods rich in protein, zinc, and vitamins
Eating protein-rich foods strengthens your hair so it’s not dry or brittle. Zinc is also important for a healthy scalp—if you’re deficient, your scalp can dry out. You also need vitamin A so your hair can make its natural oils which keep your hair and scalp moisturized.
You can take a hair supplement that has some of these nutrients or add these foods to your diet:
- Protein: chicken, eggs, fish, legumes, nuts
- Zinc: fortified cereals, beef, eggs, oysters
- Vitamin A: carrots, pumpkins, sweet potatoes
8. See a dermatologist if your hair and scalp are still dry
The dermatologist will do an exam and take your medical history. This helps them rule out underlying health conditions that might be causing the dryness. They may diagnose you with eczema, an allergic reaction, or psoriasis, for instance. Once you have a diagnosis, they’ll give you a personalized treatment plan to nourish your scalp and hair.
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