Why is my hair dry?

Why do I have dry hair? How to moisturize dry hair? What to do for dry and brittle hair?

How many times have you asked this question?

What are the causes?

Dry hair occurs when it doesn't receive or retain enough moisture. This reduces its shine and can make it appear frizzy and dull.

Dry hair can affect men and women of any age.

You might be wondering how to moisturize brittle and dry hair. I'll tell you right away. But first, let's look at the structure of a hair before we understand what to use for dry hair.

Your hair is made up of three layers. If your hair is healthy, the natural oils in the outer layer help protect the inner layers. They also reflect light, making your hair shiny.

Shine is an important sign of healthy hair. When hair is arid and very dry, the outer layer breaks down, making it appear dull and unhealthy.

Causes of dry hair 

A variety of factors can lead to dry hair, including environmental conditions, hair care habits, and physical health. 

Some of the environmental conditions that can cause dry hair include: living in a dry and hot climate, spending a lot of time in the sun or wind, frequently swimming in pools (chlorine doesn't help) or in salt water.

Even Covid has caused hair problems, making it drier and frizzier.

Spa enthusiasts know very well that thermal water dries out hair.

How to treat dry, frizzy, and brittle hair? Hair care practices include:

Washing your hair too often with aggressive shampoos. Remember, hair should be washed when needed. Which shampoo to use is one of the questions we are asked most often.

The advice is to choose a shampoo and mask that can nourish and moisturize the hair.

Frequently coloring, bleaching, or chemically treating hair. Even henna can dry out hair.

Frequently using a hairdryer at high speed. 

Using curling irons and straighteners. In the next post, in this blog, I'll talk about this very topic: the correct practices to observe when you choose to use a hair straightener.

In some cases, dry hair is the result of an underlying health problem that affects the hair's ability to retain moisture. Here are some examples: 

Anorexia nervosa: An eating disorder, anorexia nervosa can lead to malnutrition. It can cause dry and brittle hair, along with more serious complications.

Hypoparathyroidism: If you suffer from hypoparathyroidism, the parathyroid gland in your neck produces too little parathyroid hormone, which reduces the level of calcium in your blood. Calcium is a key nutrient for healthy hair, as well as for bones, teeth, and other tissues.

Hypothyroidism: With hypothyroidism, the thyroid glands don't produce enough thyroid hormones. Dry and brittle hair is one of the first symptoms of this condition.

Menkes syndrome: If you have Menkes syndrome, a rare genetic condition, your cells don't absorb enough copper. Low copper absorption affects your hair's health, causing dryness.

 

Diagnosis of dry hair

Dry hair, like dry skin, needs to be nourished every day. Moisturizing substances should always be applied.

If you have very dry hair and it doesn't improve with changes to your hair care routine, make an appointment with a trichologist. They may be able to identify the cause. They might also refer you to a dermatologist, a doctor specializing in skin and hair conditions. 

During your appointment, the trichologist or dermatologist might ask you questions about your symptoms, hair care routine, and lifestyle, such as: How long have your hair been so dry? How often do you wash your hair? What type of hair products do you use? What tools do you use to style your hair? Are you on a diet? What does your typical diet consist of?

Do you have any other symptoms? 

They will probably examine your hair and scalp. In some cases, they may order one or more lab tests.

For example, a blood or urine sample to check for signs of certain health conditions, such as hypothyroidism or hypoparathyroidism.  

Treating dry hair 

In many cases, you can treat dry hair through simple lifestyle changes. Here are some you can try:

Avoid washing your hair every day.

Wash your hair only when you truly need to.

After washing, always use a good conditioner or a mask.

Use specific professional products suitable for your hair type.

Use moisturizing styling products, such as leave-in conditioners or oil to seal the ends.

Avoid the most aggressive chemical hair treatments. Such as strong balayage or aggressive perms.

Avoid perming bleached hair.

Limit the use of a hairdryer to a minimum.

Always use a heat protectant before blow-drying or before using hot tools.

Avoid excessive use of straighteners and curling irons.

Daily shampooing can strip hair of its protective oils and lead to dryness. Try washing your hair once or twice a week instead.

Use leave-in conditioners to add shine and softness.

You can also apply hair oil masks before shampooing. Imperfect oil was created precisely for this.

Apply a generous amount before shampooing, leave it on for at least 15 minutes. If you have errands to run, cover your hair with a cap and leave Imperfect oil on for as long as possible.

After shampooing, you will find your hair so soft, hydrated, and shiny as if reborn. On the skin, it provides an immediate feeling of well-being.

Furthermore, thanks to the mix of oils, it can help prevent stretch marks. Imperfect oil is truly perfect :-)

Protecting your hair from heat and sun exposure is also important.

If you live in a dry climate, wear a hat when you go outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to dry or windy air.

You should protect your hair from chlorine and salt water with a waterproof oil and by wearing a swimming cap when swimming in a pool or at the sea. 

If an underlying medical problem is causing your hair's dryness, your doctor may recommend medication or other treatments to address it. Your hair might improve once the abnormality is treated. Consult with your hairdresser or trichologist to find the best treatment for you. 

Dry hair appears dull.

If left untreated, it can become brittle, break, or fray easily. In most cases, dry hair can be effectively treated with simple lifestyle changes and in your beauty routine.