Dry Hair? – How can we help it?
My daughter and I are both suffering slightly with dry hair at the moment. My daughters particularly and as she is at college doing hairdressing, she is constantly messing, straightening, curling hers and everyone else’s!
What causes dry hair?
Well, there are two main reasons why our hair becomes dry and brittle …..
Firstly, we can have a lack of sebaceous gland production. Sebum oil is produced by our skin glands which includes our scalp. Normal secretion allows for the “coating” of the follicle shaft with oil that enhances growth, health and protection. If we have an over-active gland it produces excess amounts of sebum and can result in oily hair. Lack of sebum, conversely, results in dry, brittle, or weak hair that is prone to breaking or snapping when combed or styled.
Secondly, and the main reason for most of us is over-styling. Too much heat will deplete the hair of moisture. Straighteners or Curling tongs set at high temperatures steam our hair and destroy the medulla and its ability to provide nutrients and vitamins. Also, as my daughter has found out to her cost, perming can drastically damage your hair. The result is frizz and split-ends and brittle hair that is prone to breaking and loss of manageability.
How can we help it?
We’re back to that good old “Eating Right” scenario again and it really can do wonders for your hair. Vegetables, fruits and meats high in proteins convert to hydration that enables moisture-rich healthy follicles and improve circulation to the roots.
Also, spend a little bit of time looking for the right hair products. Panthenol and Jojoba oil are great for raising moisture content and improves hair elastisicity. Did you know that the Australians use Emu oil which has been used for thousands of years and is a natural moisturizer and anti-inflammatory. It decreases flaking, itching and adds volume and smoothness to dry, dull, or lifeless hair. I haven’t managed to come across any emu oil products over here in the UK but if anyone has, then I’d love to know where from!
Aromatherapies are also believed to help improve dry hair. If you add a combination of six drops of lavender, bay and sandalwood essential oils with six ounces of warm sesame or soy oils then apply the oil to the hair, wrap in towel for 15 minutes, then rinse; this will help in treating dry hair. I think all that lavender and sandalwood would send me to sleep but worth a try!
Basically, hair needs plenty of MOISTURE so bare this in mind in your everyday routines and it should start to improve!
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