Dry Hair: How to care for and treat Dry Hair

If you are to get the best possible results from your hair care routine, you need to choose the correct hair shampoo and conditioner for your hair type. We recognise hair that is in good condition. It shines, it is easy to manage – it just looks good. The appearance of the hair is the one feature of the body over which we can have direct control. You can change the length, shape, colour and style of your hair according to the age you wish to appear, and the economic and social status you want to claim. The style, length and condition of hair all play a part in how we perceive the people we meet.

Your hair is dry if: * it feels dry or rough * it tangles effortlessly * it is hard to comb or brush * it looks lifeless * it has been chemically treated (permed, bleached or colored) * it is likely to have split ends * it is dry and coarse. You should select a shampoo and conditioner that is targeted at dry hair if your symptoms match any of the above pointers. Dry hair is hair that does not hold an adequate amount of moisture. This is more often than not because the cuticle has become worn and permeable, so that the cortex cannot keep hold of water. It shows signs more often in long hair, because the hair has been growing for a greater length of time and has therefore weathered more. It is more general in females than in males, for the reason that women more often wear their hair long. The dryness can influence more of the hair if it is given repetitive chemical treatments, such as perming and bleaching/colouring.

Combat the damage of chemical treatments, colouring, heat-styling and environmental pollution by deep-conditioning your hair on a regular basis. This will help replenish lost moisture and keep locks shiny and resilient. Clean your hair frequently, using good-quality products. Product: Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners – Good for very dry hair. Restores moisture lost in blow-drying.

And essentially – do not forget to condition it well. Leave-in Conditioners and Re-constructive detanglers are the correct products to use. A light leave-in conditioner is great for creating shine and body to straight hair and for taming. Have the ends cut regularly by a skilled stylist, so as to prevent weathering effects such as split ends.

In a normal, undamaged hair shaft, very little water can get either into or out of the cortex. This is because the cuticle covering the cortex is intact. But if hair is processed too many times the cuticle scales may never return to their original tightness and the protection they once offered is lost. Over-porous hair is dry, and tends to develop split ends. The damaged cuticle is fragile, and the damage worsens as time goes by. Dry hair feels dry. It does not shine and is difficult to style. It responds to intensive conditioning, however. Careful brushing, drying and combing after washing are important.

If the bottle says: Moisturizing or Replenishing. This means: It’s formulated to be gentle to dry, damaged hair. These shampoos are heavier on the moisturizing ingredients, sometimes leaving a very thin film of conditioners on the hair to help keep it silky and smooth. Works best for: Dry, frizzy, damaged hair.

Jennifer Summers is a great source of information on dry hair shampoo, regularly providing informative advice on the best dry hair care.