Dry hair is caused by heat, an open cuticle, chemicals applied
to the hair, and poor maintenance.
SOLUTIONS:
-
1) Less or no heat. When blow drying, use a cooler setting and
do not blow dry until the is completely dry.
2) Use acidifiers. Acidifiers close the cuticle down and lock
in moisture. Acidifiers have a pH of 2.5 to 3.5. They have a
lower pH than hair does in an aqueous solution.
3) Color, perms, relaxers, and other chemicals are sometimes
a necessary evil. They rob the hair of humectants. Humectants
attract and retain moisture (water) in the cortical layer of
the hair. Try to use low ammonia -low peroxide color. Do not
leave neutralizer on too long with perms. If possible avoid
relaxers.
4) Treat your hair. Replace lost humectants with essential
fatty acids (lipids), acidify your hair, use low
pH products, use cool water. Replace what was taken out to make
your hair dry. Also eat a diet full of essential fatty acids
(in moderation and non-animal {no cholesterol}).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1) Get a good low pH shampoo. High pH shampoos lift the
cuticle allowing moisture to evaporate. Here are a few great shampoos
for dry hair:
Sunset
Hair Elements (Moisturizing) Shampoo (Best Pick)
Matrix Biolage Hydrating Shampoo
Paul Mitchell Moisture and Shine (Creatives)
Redken Moisturizing Shampoo
2) Replace lipids. Your scalp produces sebum. This is the
hairs' natural source of lipids or essential fatty acids (EFA's.)
If your hair grows past your neck line; The hair makes no or little
contact with the body. If you use heat (irons, rollers, blow drying),
your hair will get depleted of EFA's.
Sunset
Hair Elements (Vanilla Bean) Treatment
Paul Mitchell Hair Repair
3) Acidify. Acidifiers lock the lipids and moisture in the
cortex. They are probably the single most important step to good hair.
They maintain good hair.
Sunset Hair Elements Hair Re-Balancer
Nexxus Ensure
Redken Extreme
Paul Mitchell "The Rinse"
4) Other -
1/2 teaspoon of safflower oil taken orally a day ( you may build
up to 1-2 tablespoons)
or
Omega-3 supplements. They will help you reduce heart attacks by
50% too! (as per CNN)
