Understanding how to fix dry hair is an essential step in treating your brittle, damaged hair. After all, if you don’t treat and nourish your hair, it will remain unhealthy and will struggle to grow to its full potential.
As we explain in this article, there are numerous causes of dry, brittle hair, ranging from the environment to the way you look after your hair.
Join us as we help you identify the issue and learn of some extremely simple steps that will teach you how to fix dry, damaged hair.
First: What causes hair to dry out?
There could be numerous reasons why your hair feels dry and brittle. Here are some of the most common causes:
- The weather: Increased humidity or long, dry spells of weather can cause your hair follicles to dry out. Also, if you go on holiday and spend a lot of time in the sun, its UV rays can also lead to dry and brittle hair.
- Poor drying technique: One of the main causes of dry and dehydrated hair is a poor drying technique. Consistently using your hair dryer’s hottest setting and holding the dryer too close to your head is likely to cause your hair to dry out.
- Excessive heat styling: Using heat-based straighteners or curling irons will also lead to brittle hair, so you need to use heat styling tools sparingly to protect your hair.
- Wrong products: Relying on chemical-based products to wash your hair can also cause it to dry out. For instance, products with sulfates, alcohol, and other harmful chemicals can do more harm than good, causing your hair to feel brittle. I am running a few minutes late; my previous meeting is running over.
Recognizing one or several of the above causes of dry and brittle hair is an essential first step in combating the issue. You can then move onto the next section, which will help you remedy the problem and renourish and replenish your dry and brittle hair.
How to fix dry, brittle hair: 8 home remedies to try
Here are some tried and tested at-home haircare remedies to try if you have dry and brittle hair:
1. Change your hair dryer
If you’re wondering how to fix dry frizzy hair, changing your hair dryer is a great place to begin. Using an ionic hair dryer like the Laifen Swift Special means you can blow dry your hair on the low or medium heat setting, reducing the risk of overdrying. It’s powerful in avoiding split ends and common hair breakage by our testing.
What’s more, ionic technology in a hair dryer is a brilliant way to combat frizz and results in a smooth, sleek hairstyle. If you think your dry and brittle hair is caused by your dryer, switching to an ionic Laifen hair dryer is a simple yet super effective solution.
2. Take a vitamin supplement
Many people who experience dry and brittle hair are vitamin deficient. Vitamin A and C in particular are essential for the health and strength of your hair, so opting for a daily supplement can help to strengthen your hair follicles.
Though research is limited, some people might see an improvement in their hair’s health by taking a biotin supplement, specifically if they are biotin deficient.
If you plan on vitamin supplementation, we advise you to speak to your doctor, as they can help you take the right vitamins to improve the health of your hair.
3. Invest in natural hair products
Harsh chemicals are a big problem for your hair’s moisture content, particularly if you use them in excess. The simple act of ditching chemical-based products for natural alternatives can make a huge difference.
For instance, ditching a sulfate-based shampoo and investing in a natural product that is rich in nourishing ingredients like coconut or jojoba oil can renourish and revitalize your brittle hair.
You should also switch to a natural conditioner and ensure as many of your hair products as possible have natural ingredients as their base, rather than harmful chemicals.
4. Wear a hair mask regularly
One of the best ways to revitalize dry and brittle hair is to wear a hair mask regularly. By regularly, we mean once every week to nurse your hair back to its former glory.
You can buy ready-made hair masks online or go for a DIY option at home. For instance, some super simple hair masks to try include:
Honey & olive oil: Honey has conditioning properties, and paired with the Vitamin E within olive oil, it helps renourish dry hair and replenish some of its lost vitamins.
- Coconut oil & banana: Bananas are an excellent source of potassium and Vitamin B6, which are brilliant for nourishing your scalp. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which helps stimulate hair growth. Use a coconut oil will also help in making your scalp moisturized and healthy.
- Lemon & yogurt: Yogurt is rich in fatty acids, which are brilliant for moisturizing your scalp and hair, while lemon is known to help remove dandruff.
5. Improve your diet
If you have been struggling with dryness and brittle for some time, it might be due to a poor diet. Specifically, if you don’t take enough antioxidants and omega-3s in your diet, you could be causing your hair to dry out.
The good news is that supplementing your diet with some tasty foods can make a huge difference. Check out the following table for some foods that can help to hydrate and nourish your hair:
Foods rich in omega-3 | Foods rich in antioxidants |
|
Salmon |
Walnuts |
|
Oysters |
Tomatoes |
|
Tuna |
Kidney beans |
|
Mackerel |
Broccoli |
|
Sardines |
Blueberries |
6. Change how frequently you wash your hair
If you hair is 4c, so do you know how often you should wash your 4c hair? You also need to think about how regularly you wash your hair. If you wash your hair too frequently, you might be removing some of its natural sebum, which is causing the follicles to dry out.
Though every hair type is slightly different, we recommend washing your hair only a couple of times each week, using a natural shampoo and conditioner combo where possible.
If you think overwashing is the cause of your dry and brittle hair, consider leaving it for at least a week without washing and see if it makes a difference.
7. Eliminate heat styling
Using a heat-based curling iron or hair straightener can help with your styling goals; it’s one of the most common causes of dry and brittle hair.
Excessive heat changes the structure of your hair and causes it to lose much of its natural moisture content. Natural, non-heat-based ways to curl or straighten your hair are much better for its health and moisture content.
Using a hair dryer is okay, but stop using a curling iron or straightener, and you will notice a significant improvement in your hair’s moisture content.
8. Wear a hat
Though it might seem like a small step, wearing a hat when you’re outside can make a significant difference. The sun’s UV rays are harmful to your hair, and when you spend lots of time outdoors, they cause your follicles to dry out.
If you don’t want to wear a hat, wrap your hair in a bandana or a scarf if you’re relaxing by the pool or on the beach, as the added protection will prevent the sun from damaging your hair and causing it to dry out.
Summary
Nobody wants to have dry and brittle hair, as it’s difficult to style and easy to damage. The first step is recognizing that you have dry hair and the second is considering what you think has caused it.
Then, you can try any of the above eight simple remedies to renourish and revitalize your hair. You might find that one or a combination of the recommendations work for you, so don’t be afraid to try new things.
You can also read through our FAQs below to find out more about how to fix dry hair in different situations.
FAQs
Q1: How to fix greasy hair without dry shampoo?
Dry shampoo is a great fix for people with greasy hair as it prevents your hair from producing excessive amounts of oil. If you don’t want to use dry shampoo to treat greasy hair, you can simply reduce the frequency with which you wash your hair, and you may notice the same effect.
Q2: How to fix frizzy hair after blow-drying?
The easiest way to fix frizzy hair after blow drying is to use an ionic hair dryer. The negative ions neutralize your hair and prevent it from becoming frizzy. Also, applying a leave-in conditioner can help, as it prevents your hair from drying out.
Q3: How to fix dry bleached hair?
There are numerous ways to fix dry bleached hair, but using coconut oil is a great option. It works to seal your hair and prevents protein loss, ensuring that your bleached hair doesn’t begin to break.
Q4: How long does it take to fix dry hair?
This really depends on the condition of your hair when you start treating it. However, it will take around one month of treatment and changes to see significant results, so you need to be patient and consistent with your actions.
