Your hair is your crowning glory. It shows off your personality and style. So when your hair suddenly turns dull-looking, brittle, and straw-like, you focus immediately to remedying the hair problem. Before taking action, you’re likely wondering what’s stripping your hair strands of their natural oils to begin with. Here are five all-too-common causes of dry, damaged hair—plus, quick and easy fixes to help keep bad hair days a thing of the past.
1. Over-Use of Heat Styling Tools
Using hot styling tools every day may be doing more harm than good to your hair. applying too much heat when hair styling is a major factor of dry, dull-looking hair.
What to Do: Try not to use heat on your hair every single day. Applying heat daily to hair can strip the hair of its natural moisture. If heat is imperative, prep your hair with a heat protectant,Also, instead of cranking the temperature of your device all the way to the top, opt for a lower setting.
2. Using the Wrong Hair Care Products
t’s not for nothing that hair product labels indicate the best hair types for the item. Using a hair care product that’s not formulated for your hair type can have consequences such as unwanted dryness.
What to Do: When selecting a shampoo and conditioner, always check the hair care product label before purchasing. Most shampoos work in different ways.Try to avoid those that have alcohol, which can strip away your hair’s natural oils and moisture, leaving it looking and feeling dry. Instead, look for a shampoo that is specifically formulated to moisturize, nourish, and replenish your hair when you wash. Post wash follow up with a conditioner. Hair conditioner is an essential step in your hair care routine, especially if you want to help prevent dryness. And don’t skimp on the time you leave your conditioner in! For the best results, follow the instructions instead of just rinsing out right away.
3. Excessive Hair Washing
Maintaining proper hair hygiene is important, but washing your hair too often can strip it of its natural oils. Nobody wants greasy hair, but it may not be necessary to wash your hair every day, especially if dry hair is a problem for you.
What to Do: Wash your hair less often. Washing your hair once or twice a week should be enough. Be sure to use a gentle deep conditioner to keep hair looking and feeling nourished. After washing hair, pat—don’t rub!—your hair dry. This will help prevent additional moisture loss.
4. Over-Use of Hair Dyes &Bleaches
Harsh chemicals commonly found in hair dyes and bleaches can lift the natural oils your hair needs to keep it looking glossy and healthy. The good news: You don’t have to give up your colored hair entirely.
What to Do: If you like to reinvent your hair color regularly, take extra care of your hair by Looking for gentle shampoos and conditioners rich in oils that are specifically formulated for color-treated hair.
5. Environmental Factors
Did you know the climate you live in can also dry out your hair? Overexposure to the sun, extreme heat, cold winds, and low humidity can all take a toll on your hair. Direct sunlight can begin to fade the vibrancy of your hair with time. If you reside in a tropical climate, chances are you spend a lot of time outdoors in chlorinated water as well, which is notorious for its drying effect on hair.
What to Do: Help reduce the risk of hair damage by wearing a hat over your hair on a beach day or prolonged exposure. If you swim in chlorine pools often, protect your hair with a swim cap. But, if you can’t bear the look, you can also rinse your hair before and immediately after the pool to help prevent your strands from soaking up all that chlorinated water.
Hopefully, these hair care tips and tricks above have taught you more about some causes of dry hair and how to keep your hair looking vibrant and soft.