Dry, damaged hair is extremely common and is often caused by excessive use of modern technology including hairdryers, straighteners and curling tongs. Many people do no take into consideration the damage that excessive heat can cause to their hair, and so they continue abusing the hair on a daily basis.
It is understandable that these modern hair styling equipment are indispensable in this day and age, however there are ways to protect the hair before you use hair dryers and straighteners on your hair.
The True Cause of Dry and Damaged Hair
Hair is mainly made up of proteins which are hard fibrous types known as Keratin. The keratin in our hair can become damaged due to a number of different factors.
As well as hairdryers, straighteners and curling tongs, heat lamps and even sunbeds can also have a reaction on the hair, just like the sun can in summer. Other factors which affect dry and damaged hair include:
Your Diet
Another cause of dry hair could be due to your diet. In order to have healthy skin, hair and nails, you need plenty of good, fatty acids which you can get from foods such as oily fish including salmon and tuna, and flaxseed oil is also good. You can add flaxseed oil to your diet by adding two tablespoons a day to foods such as potatoes or even popcorn! Many people do not like the sound of flaxseed oil but it actually has a nutty, buttery flavor so most people do not actually mind it once they have tried it.
Shampoo
Although over washing your hair with heavy shampoo and conditioner can cause your hair to be oily, it can also cause your hair to become really dry too. Most people who have oily hair, have to wash it more frequently, whilst people who have dry hair should really only wash it a couple of times a week. This is because some shampoo can strip away essential oils which dry hair needs. It is always best to use a mild shampoo and to pay particular attention to the roots and the scalp.
Not Conditioning Enough
Conditioners can be a savior for dry and damaged hair, and in order to get the most out of your conditioner, it is better to towel dry your hair before you apply the conditioner. If your hair is particularly in bad condition, it is always best to leave conditioner on for at least 2 to 3 minutes. This helps to soak in as much moisture as possible before washing it off. Unlike with shampoo, with conditioner you really need to focus more of your attention onto the roots and ends of the hair.
If you want it to be even more effective, combing the conditioner through with a fine tooth comb will ensure that it is equally spread throughout the hair.
It is also possible to use mayonnaise instead of an ordinary conditioner, and with that you should leave it in anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. For best results, always wash the hair with cool or tepid water which will help to close the cuticles and lock in the moisture providing longer lasting results.
Treatments Available
As frustrating as dry, damaged hair can be, there are some treatments available to prevent and cure it. An example is if you constantly use hair dryers and other modern styling equipment, you can purchase products such as blow drying spray and hair styling shampoo and conditioner which helps to build up protective chemicals in the hair, before it is exposed to the heat.
Going to the hairdressers also helps and you should aim to have your hair trimmed every six weeks or so. This really does help to prevent and eliminate split ends, and it makes your hair look a lot healthier as it gets rid of the ends which are often the worst affected areas of the hair.
If you are somebody that likes to go swimming a lot, you may want to think about purchasing a swimming hat. The chlorine in the water can really damage your hair if it is excessively exposed to it. So either wearing a swimming hat, or shampooing your hair straight afterwards is essential for protecting the hair.
Overall, there are plenty of products including shampoo and conditioner, which can really help. However, the best way to eliminate dry and damaged hair is to prevent it in the first place. Be aware of how much heat you are exposing your hair to and buy the necessary protective products if needed.
If you have dry, damaged hair you may be wondering what actually caused it. Split ends, that horrible straw feeling, and hair that constantly snaps off every time that you brush it can really be a nightmare! How can you prevent it from happening again, if you do not know what caused it in the first place?
The Many Causes of Dry Hair
If you have recently developed dry, damaged hair there could be a wide number of reasons. You should know by now with all the warnings that electrical items such as straighteners, hair dryers and curling tongs, all dry out the hair if enough protection is not used. However, there other lesser known factors that can cause dry hair, so if you do use protection and yet you still have dry hair, there could be a number of reasons why.
Medical Conditions
Some people develop dry hair after suffering from various medical conditions. Eating disorders often have negative effects on the hair and people suffering from anorexia commonly have dry hair. This is because the hair does not get the nutrients that it needs from the food which we eat.
Malnutrition is again another cause of dry hair related to what we eat. Dry hair is often a sign that you are not getting enough omega 3 fatty acids into the body which is commonly found in fish such as salmon and tuna, and flaxseed oil.
Hypothyroidism is a condition where the body does not produce enough thyroid hormones, and this in turn can cause dry hair. Another condition which causes it includes Hypoparathyroidism which is where not enough parathyroid hormones are created and dry hair is often an early sign of the condition.
Environmental Conditions
The sun often causes the hair to become dry as there is not enough humidity and the heat really soaks in the essential oils on the scalp. People who love to swim a lot will also have various problems with their hair, as well as the winter weather. So always take care of your hair in all weathers, and try not to expose it to too much sun or chlorine in the water. The chlorine actually strips the hair of its essential oils and so a swimming cap is highly recommended every time you do want to swim.
Your Occupation
Not many people even consider that their job could be contributing towards their dry, damaged hair. Lifeguards in particular may have problems due to the constant exposure to the chlorine. Likewise, anybody who works outside in all weathers will have a problem too.
Over washing and Using Harsh Products
Many people make the mistake of over washing their hair. You would think that if you washed your hair daily, it would solve the dryness, but in fact it can make it worse. Over washing causes the hair to be stripped of its natural moisture which it needs, and that will cause the hair to become dry.
Using harsh products on the hair is also a bad thing to do. You may not even realize that the products you are using are harsh, however if you look on the back of the shampoo or conditioner, if you see alcohol listed in the ingredients, the product is too harsh for your hair.
Overall conditioner should be used whenever you wash your hair, and that should be roughly two to three times a week. Obviously if your job is causing your dry hair, there is not a lot you can do about it and you should simply try to protect it as much as possible by using a gentler shampoo.
Dry hair has so many causes that often it is hard to know what has brought it on in the first place. It is treatable though, and buying the right products for your hair type is one of the best things you can do to treat your dry hair.
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