Dry and damaged hair is tough to deal with – you can’t get it styled exactly the way you want it to look, nor does it look healthy and lustrous. If your hair is prone to breakage, tends to frizz up or is brittle then this article is for you.
What Causes Dry Hair?
Dry hair can be caused by a number of different factors, including:
- Sun exposure
- Heat damage from excessive styling
- Chlorinated water (like in a swimming pool)
- Frequent hair washes
- Humidity (including sweaty workouts)
- The wrong hair products for your hair type
Your dry hair may be caused by one or more of the factors above or it may be caused by nutritional deficiencies, medications, or other medical conditions for which you may need to consult a doctor.
Thankfully though hair damage and dry hair is rarely a permanent condition and there are plenty of things you can do to bring your locks back to their luscious glory.
What to do when you have dry and damaged hair?
It’s always a good idea to consult your hair stylist about your hair. While they cannot give you medical advice, they will definitely be able to help you with a number of different hair care tips to bring the shine and health back to your hair. Read on for some top dry hair care tips from the expert stylists at the Ivy Hair and Extension Lounge.
Get a Haircut:
Heat styling can cause ends to fray making your hair look scraggly at the ends. It can also make your hair more brittle and result in split ends. Getting a trim regularly takes care of the frayed ends before the damage travels upwards.
Limit Your Hair Washes:
It can be tempting to wash your hair everyday, especially after hitting the gym or during the summer. Washing your hair frequently strips your hair of sebum – the natural oil that makes your hair and scalp feel soft and moisturized. Try and limit your hair washes to once or twice a week and make sure you use shampoo only on your scalp and condition the lengths of your hair. Avoid using hot water to wash your hair. Pick products that are specifically meant for dry locks. For example, Davines OI shampoo and conditioner are gentle on your scalp while providing your hair with much-needed hydration.
Moisturising Treatments:
Treat yourself to some ‘me time’ every week by giving your hair the TLC it deserves in the form of a deep moisturising treatment. Use deep conditioning moisture masks like Davines Oi Hair Butter or Olapex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask to jump start your hair’s moisture locking properties.
You can also go DIY and make your own moisture mask at home by mixing together equal parts of honey and olive oil. Rub the mask evenly through your hair and cover it with a shower cap for 10 minutes before washing.
Try a Hot Oil Treatment:
Hot oil treatments are another great way to add some shine to your hair. You can use a variety of different oils including olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil or argan oil. Gently warm about half a cup of oil (more if you have really long hair). Make sure it’s not hot. Massage it into your scalp and cover with a warm towel. Leave it in for at least 30 minutes or overnight before washing it off.
Avoid Heat:
Heat may have caused the damage in the first place, so it’s a good idea to avoid exposing your hair to heat. Use the cool setting on your hair drier to dry your hair or better yet, let it air dry. Use a t-shirt or a microfiber towel to wrap your hair in after a wash instead of a regular towel to help combat frizz. If you must use heat, then make sure you use a good heat protection spray like the Moroccan Oil Perfect Defense Spray on your hair before styling.
Wear a hat or a wrap your hair in a scarf (think old school glam Hollywood style) if you are going to be spending time outdoors. Not only will you be shielding your hair from harmful UV rays, but you’ll look uber chic doing it too.
The Ivy Hair and Extension Lounge carries moisturising and repairing haircare products from some of the top brands to help bring your hair back to its health.
Learn how to care for your extensions by reading this article or browse our services and get in touch to book an appointment today.