Generality
Dry hair can be the result of internal or external imbalances of the organism, even if very often the causes of an environmental nature prevail.
Causes
As mentioned, the causes underlying the appearance of dry hair can be both of internal origin to our organism, and of external origin and, in particular, of environmental origin.
Among the environmental factors mainly responsible for dry hair, in fact, we find:
- The intense solar radiation;
- The wind;
- The salt water.
Among the most dangerous pitfalls to which hair is exposed daily we also remember:
- Frequent use of certain cosmetic treatments (bleaching, perms, excessive proximity of the hair dryer to the scalp, etc.);
- The use of detergents or products that are excessively aggressive (such as dyes) or unsuitable for your hair type;
- Contact with irritants (such as, for example, chlorine contained in swimming pool water).
In addition to this, dry hair can also be the result of poor sebaceous activity or, more rarely, of certain pathological conditions, such as anemia or thyroid disorders (hypo- or hyperthyroidism).
Finally, at the origin of the problem there may also be nutritional factors, such as a diet that is too rigid or lacking in vitamins and essential fatty acids.
In many cases, the dryness affects only the tips and not the entire shaft of the hair. In such situations, the causes - more than of internal origin - are of external origin and mainly attributable to incorrect treatments or to excessive and non-excessive exposure. protected against environmental and atmospheric factors of various types.
Features
Dry hair gives the hair what can be called a "straw effect". In fact, dry hair is characterized by a dull, dull and dry look.
In addition, hair that suffers from dryness tends to break easily and give rise to split ends very easily.
Useful tips
Whatever the origin of the problem, in case of dry hair the following tips can be useful:
- Use mildly aggressive shampoos and, contrary to what is suggested for oily hair, reduce the frequency of washing.
- Even the amount of shampoo used, to be found among the less aggressive products, will be reduced, consequently increasing the use of conditioners specially designed to give dry hair a more toned appearance.
- The keratin-based lotions and oral supplements will instead help to strengthen them from the inside, increasing their thickness.
- Dry hair can also be treated and rehydrated using specific products based on vegetable oils, such as those obtained from almond, walnut, wheat germ or Argania seeds.
- Especially in summer, it is good practice to protect the hair with a hat or with oils, gels and sprays containing sunscreens and moisturizing substances, such as shea butter, jojoba and vegetable oils. like the chlorine-rich one in swimming pools, they accentuate the dryness of the hair.
- Dry hair is very delicate and breaks easily; for this reason it is necessary to brush them gently using soft-toothed combs.
- When drying your hair, avoid putting it too close to the hair dryer, especially as regards the roots. In any case, on dry hair the hairdryer should be used at medium temperature.
- Adopt a healthy and balanced diet, minimizing high-fat foods and favoring those rich in vitamins, such as vegetables and fruits (including walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts).
For more information: Dry Hair Remedies.
Natural remedies
There are numerous natural remedies that can help dry hair. Very useful are the vegetable oils and butters used pure in the form of masks or packs. These include shea butter, cocoa butter, argan oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, macadamia oil or Monoї (ancient remedy Polynesian for the beauty care of skin and hair).
On the net you can find numerous recipes of DIY shampoos, conditioners and masks designed for the treatment of dry hair, some of them will be listed below.
PLEASE NOTE
If the dryness of the hair does not improve either by following the advice listed above, or by using suitable products (industrial or natural) for this type of hair, then it may be necessary to ask for the advice of the doctor, in order to exclude any pathological causes that may not yet be been diagnosed.
Do it yourself recipes
Finally, we report three do-it-yourself recipes that involve the use of natural remedies to combat dry hair.
Egg and Lemon Shampoo
This shampoo is prepared by combining two egg yolks with the juice of half a lemon, mixing everything and letting it act on the scalp for about twenty minutes, after which an abundant rinse with warm water will follow.
Balm with Rosemary
Rosemary conditioner is obtained by filling a coffee cup with wheat germ oil, to which you must add a teaspoon of rosemary essential oil and mix. A small amount of the compound is then applied to the hair, leaving it on for about thirty minutes before shampooing. The remaining conditioner should be stored in a cool place, away from sunlight and used within a few days.
Honey and Olive Oil Mask
This mask for dry hair is prepared by mixing two tablespoons of olive oil with a little honey previously heated (in order to make it more fluid). The mixture thus obtained is then applied to the hair and left on for about half an hour. . After this time, you can proceed with washing with a mild shampoo specially formulated for dry hair.
