Dry hair: Causes and treatments

Dry hair is no fun, everybody knows that. Find out how to maintain strong hair that doesn't break off all the time and lacks shine, but how?

Why is my hair so dry and brittle?

The first thing you need to ask yourself is ‘why is my hair so dry and brittle?’ Do you use heat on your hair a lot, wash it frequently or expose your hair to lots of wind, dry air or sun?

Identifying the problem is the first step in finding a solution for your dry hair, and we have written this guide to help you do just that!

So, why is my hair so dry?

There are a few main reasons our hair can become dry:

1. Your scalp is not making enough oil needed to keep your hair moisturised

Your hair can’t moisturise itself, it relies on the oils made by your hair roots – which are under your skin.

When your scalp doesn’t make enough oil for your hair, it becomes dry – the opposite dilemma to greasy hair.

As you get older, your hair will naturally start to produce less oil. This is why dry hair is particularly prevalent in older men and women.

2. Your hair lets moisture escape

Another reason your hair may be dry is that it is letting moisture escape.

Every healthy hair strand is surrounded by something called the ‘cuticle’ which acts as your hair’s protective layer.

The cuticle is made of different layers which lie tight against each other and protect your hair from sun damage and heat.

If a cuticle’s layers become damaged and peel away from the hair, it struggles to hold moisture and some oil will escape.

3. Your diet or hormones may have something to do with it

A diet lacking in vitamins and protein can cause hair to become dry and make it more prone to breakages.

This is because your hair needs a variety of nutrients to grow and repair itself, including vitamins A, C, D, and E.

Hormonal changes in the body caused by things such as pregnancy, the menopause and birth control can have undesirable effects on the hair.

If your dry hair is caused by hormones, you may also feel fatigued, colder than usual, weaker and your hair may begin to fall out.

This is something best talked about with a doctor if you feel like this might be causing your dry hair.

Handpicked content: Which vitamins are good for your hair? 

What makes hair feel brittle?

Brittle hair goes hand in hand with dry hair. This is because dry hair is weaker and more likely to snap off or split at the end when you brush or try to style it.

How to get rid of dry hair

So now you – hopefully – have a better idea about what dry hair is caused by, here are some tips on how to combat dry and brittle hair:

• Wash your hair less

Overwashing your hair or using harsh shampoos that strip away your hair’s natural oils can damage your hair and make it feel dry.

Try cutting down the amount you wash it week by week so your hair can gradually re-balance its oil. 

Ever heard of the no-poo method? Find out about how this haircare routine can help your hair to decide whether it's for you or not.

Top tip: Dry shampoo will be your new best friend! Learn how to make your own dry shampoo here.

• Stop or cut down on your heat styling

Blow drying, straightening or using curling irons on your hair can damage the protective cuticle and cause it to become dry.

Try letting it dry on its own and embracing the way your hair is naturally.

And if you do decide to use heat to style your hair, make sure you use a good hair protection product to reduce the damage.

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• Review your hair products

 It goes without saying that bleaching, chemically straightening or putting your hair through other chemical treatments can cause damage.

But how about your shampoo and conditioner? Try using mild shampoos made specifically for dry hair instead.

Handpicked content: The best shampoo & conditioner for dry hair

• Use a moisturising conditioner

Choose a moisturising conditioner to use after your shampoo. Hair conditioners help keep cuticles lying flat and allows them to hold more oils.

Tried all this and still asking yourself: why is my hair so dry?

Make sure your diet is rich in nutrients like protein and vitamins. To find out more about how what you eat can help your hair, read our article on why healthy hair needs protein. 

The best gentle hair treatment for dry hair recipes

One great way to tackle dry hair is by making your own personalised hair treatment for dry hair; it’s cheap, it’s fun and it could really make a difference to your dry and tired hair.

Here are some of our favourite gentle hair treatment for dry hair recipes.

We hope this collection of hair treatment for dry hair recipes will help you on your way to that silky soft hair you’ve been longing for!

Last updated: 12 August 2021