Dry Hair and Tips for Treating It

If you’ve been on the hunt for real answers and solutions for dry hair, you’ve probably learned by now that it’s typically not just ONE thing that could be causing your hair to feel dry.

Though it can be tempting to point the finger and hope that the latest trendy product will be the miracle you’ve been searching for, the truth is, if you really want to get to the bottom of your dry hair problems, you’ll be better served by taking a holistic or whole look at the picture, rather than just trying to treat a symptom of dryness.

Today we break down the many causes of dry hair and professional and natural tips for treating and preventing it.

Factors that Can Cause Dry Hair

• Weather
• Heat styling
• Too many smoothing treatments (such as Keratin treatments) used too frequently
• Hormone changes or treatments
• Products with harsh sulfates
• Brushing your hair when it is wet
• Over shampooing, stripping your hair of its natural oils
• Split ends

The good news is there are solutions to help remedy these challenges, and when combined with using healthy hair care products properly, it can dramatically improve your hair’s recovery process.

TOP 10 PROFESSIONAL TIPS FOR DRY HAIR:

1. WORK WITH YOUR WEATHER

Though you may already realize that dry and brittle hair is a year-round problem, cold winter temperatures combined with higher heat indoors can parch and dry out your hair. So, you’ll want to adjust your winter hair care regimen. Plan to give your hair a heavier dose of moisturizing love by allowing your conditioner to soak longer than you normally would (stretch the time from 3-4 minutes to 5-10 minutes). During summer, it’s just as crucial to maintaining a healthy balance of hydration for preventing dry hair and breakage. Using a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, one with oil in it to outwit frizz (such as LuxeOrganix Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner), and skipping hot tools will all give your hair a fighting chance against dried-out, lifeless hair. Keeping up with regular trims to prevent split ends from secretly running up your shaft, shielding your hair strands from the sun with a hat, and saturating your hair before taking a dip in the pool or saltwater, are all extra beneficial ways of keeping your hair from becoming thirsty.

Also, consider adding a hair mask to your regimen. More on that in a minute…

2. HEAT STYLE THE RIGHT WAY

If you’re heat styling, it’s critical to do it the right way with the right tools. Did you ever see the YouTube video where the girl burned off her hair with a curling wand? There are absolutely right and wrong ways to style with heat that can make all the difference in the health of your hair. You can use hairspray and other products that contain drying ingredients like alcohol, but you want to place a barrier between these styling aids and your hair. The way you create the barrier is by using something with an oil base. (LuxeOrganix Argan Oil Styling Cream is perfect for this as it contains a Thermal Heat Protectant that provides hydration and control.)

IMPORTANT: Always make sure your hair is 100% dry before using a heat styling tool, such as a curling iron or flat iron. If you are using a styling gel, mousse, hairspray, or something similar that contains drying alcohols, make sure your hair is thoroughly dry before touching it with an iron to prevent damage. Be careful to avoid burning your hair when using a blow dryer by making sure your heat setting is not so high that it would burn your skin (this is a good way to test if it is too hot for your hair), and don’t hold the blow dryer so close to your hair that you see or smell product residue smoke.

Also, traditional blow dryers dry the hair from within the hair shaft to the outer layer and take longer to dry hair. However, an Ionic Blow Dryer dries hair from the outside, which makes a positive impact on the health of your hair, and saves you time by drying hair faster. If you blow-dry your hair, investing in an Ionic blow dryer is a wise investment for the health of your hair.

3. MINIMIZE SMOOTHING TREATMENTS

Are you doing too many hair smoothing treatments? Consider taking a break from, or discontinue straightening (i.e. keratin treatments) by instead working with your hair type. Many of us with naturally curly hair love the look of straight, sleek hair, and so we straighten our typically frizzy or kinky locks with heat or chemical processing. A well-trained stylist should be able to advise you about more gentle smoothing treatments, or hair styling products that can work with your natural hair, and give you beautiful, irresistible bouncy locks.

Another secret for dealing with those sections of your hair that don’t curl up well like the others is to simply use a curling iron or wand to spot treat those difficult areas.

You can also define your curls by gently twisting them around your finger while they are still damp and applying a styling cream. Then simply let them air dry or use a diffuser, occasionally scrunching (without rubbing) your hair.

4. USE SULFATE-FREE AND NON-STRIPPING HAIR PRODUCTS

Watch out for sulfates in your shampoo and be sure to check your styling products to see if they contain sulfates as well. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) is widely recognized as a primary culprit of dry, dull, brittle, frizzy hair, and it can also lead to itchy, flaky, irritated scalp and other health concerns. Many companies use sulfates for the speed, ease, and efficacy of quickly cleaning the scalp and hair. But there’s a downside to this easy-to-foam ingredient…

Sulfates are known for stripping hair of its natural oils, as well as fading color and undoing keratin-treated hair. So if you’re color-treating your hair, getting Brazilian Blowout, Cezanne, or keratin treatments — and then using sulfate-based products, you may be decreasing the vibrancy and longevity of your color and smoothing treatment.

Using products with alcohol and detergents will also cause problems. If you use styling products with these ingredients, consider finding healthier alternatives that offer the same results without the harsh ingredients that take a toll on and can damage your hair.

It may take some experimenting to find a good alternative, but your hair will thank you for it (and so will your body). At LuxeOrganix we make it easy to find non-stripping, sulfate-free products because we don’t use those kinds of harsh ingredients in any of our hair or skincare. 

Also, one more thing to keep in mind is that traditional blow dryers dry the hair from within the hair shaft to the outer layer, and take longer to dry hair. However, an Ionic Blow Dryer dries hair from the outside, which makes a positive impact on the health of your hair, and saves you time by drying hair faster. If you blow-dry your hair, investing in an Ionic blow dryer is a wise investment for the health of your hair.

5. GIVE YOUR HAIR A BREAK FROM SHAMPOO

You may have already heard from your Stylist, “You shouldn’t wash your hair every day,” and that you should give yourself at least one day off in between shampooing. This is something you may or may not already be doing. If for some reason this strategy isn’t a good fit for you, here’s another alternative (or even a bonus to consider adding to your routine if you have extremely dry or brittle hair, or if you want to further prolong your colored or keratin-treated hair.)

It’s called, “co-washing.” Maybe you’ve heard of it?

The idea is to stretch out your shampoo days by exchanging it with a formulated cleansing conditioner, sometimes referred to as “co-wash” or “no-poo” (no shampoo). This can give your hair a break from shampooing, which has a tendency to over-cleanse your hair and rob it of its good and essential oils. Learn more about co-washing with our Refreshing Mint CoWash Cleansing Conditioner.

6. DON’T PROCRASTINATE ON CUTTING YOUR HAIR

You’ve probably heard that regular haircuts are important to remove the battered, split ends of your hair. Different factors, such as your hair length, chemical processing, or growing your hair out, will impact the amount of time you plan between cuts. Your hairstylist should be able to tell you how often to have your hair trimmed based on your unique situation. (But if it’s been over 3 months – you’re overdue!)

A good rule of thumb for short hair is 4-8 weeks, 6-12 weeks for mid-lengths, and no more than 8-12 weeks for long hair. You’ll want to trim more frequently if you’re dealing with damaged hair (such as split ends), and less frequently if you’re trying to grow your hair out. On the other hand, if you have already been cutting your hair regularly, and it’s really damaged, it may be time for a major cut. Sometimes, this is what it takes to make a big difference.

Several years ago, my hormones were wreaking havoc on my hair and I decided to cut off 11 inches. Unfortunately, the ends of my hair still showed the effects of my hormone imbalance (my ends were sparse, thin, and brittle, and didn’t match the top, healthy part of my hair). Since I lopped off those 11inches, I’ve averaged 6-8 weeks between my trims. My hair has never looked better and I am regularly complimented on how healthy it looks

7. DEEP CONDITION REGULARLY

Add a hair mask to your hair care regimen. Whether you use an inexpensive DIY (Do-It-Yourself) home remedy, such as coconut oil, or a healthy, organic-based hair mask that you purchase, using a deep conditioner regularly, combined with your sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, could make all the difference in bringing your hair back to its once healthy, vibrant self.

Check out LuxeOrganix Deep Conditioner Hair Mask that deeply penetrates to moisturize, strengthen, repair, and grow healthy hair. We hear from our customers with normal to thick, and curly hair types, how quickly they feel and see the difference with it. Alternatively, LuxeOrganix Bond Integrity Protein Hair Treatment is a favorite hair mask of those with fine, thin, and mature hair types, who are looking for stronger, fuller-looking hair. 

Now you may wonder how often should you use a hair mask?

It’s going to vary for everyone.

Try experimenting with once or twice a month. If you don’t notice and feel a significant difference, increase the frequency or allow the hair mask to soak in for longer periods while you shower the rest of your body. Those with severely dry or brittle hair, as well as bleached or color-treated hair, may find it helpful to deep condition once or twice per week. The texture and condition of your hair will determine the frequency; it really does depend on your individual situation. So don’t be afraid to experiment…or better yet, reach out to us for personalized attention and advice!

8. ADDRESS HORMONES, ILLNESS, OR NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCIES

Let’s be honest – most of us are affected in some way or another by our hormones, let alone dealing with illness and more commonly, we are dealing with nutritional deficiencies that we may not even be aware of or understand how it is impacting the health and appearance of our hair.

Hormone issues, for example, can cause sudden hair loss for many women, as well as cause hair to be malnourished; and therefore, lackluster and be susceptible to dryness and breakage. Hormone imbalances in cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and low thyroid hormone, are several culprits that cause hair woes. Your doctor can check your levels to see if one of these hormone imbalances could be causing hair loss.

Postpartum hair loss ((hair loss after giving birth) is considered normal and happens because of changing hormone levels after pregnancy. You can’t prevent postpartum hair loss, but you can positively affect the appearance of your hair during the shedding and regrowth phase. Using thickening and volumizing products can help your hair appear fuller, and the new hair growth be fortified to grow out as healthy as possible. We recommend LuxeOrganix Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner, Bond Integrity Protein Hair Treatment, and Argan Oil Styling Cream for this. A fresh new style, cut, or new color can also give an instant visual boost! Ask your stylist for styling tips, as well.

If you are using high-quality hair care products and nurturing your hair – getting your glucose, hormones, and thyroid levels checked may give you a better understanding of the root of your problem.

Additionally, you can take charge immediately by eating clean, nutritious food, and incorporating more fiber into your diet, which can help lower estrogen levels. Eating a high protein, low-glycemic carbohydrate diet with lots of vegetables has a positive impact on insulin resistance. Insulin imbalance is not often something people would think could have a negative effect on hair, but it can.

Stress and lack of essential vitamins also play a role, so it really is important to feed your body whole foods that are naturally loaded with vitamins, as well as get enough sleep, and learn what your body may be lacking so you can give it what it needs to thrive. A Functional Health Practitioner or holistic health care professional can be a great resource to get to the root of these issues and help you achieve good health for your hair and body.

9. PROPER EXPECTATIONS AND USAGE OF YOUR HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Chances are, you have invested in quality hair care products, but you are still reading because you’re looking for answers as to why you’re still feeling like your hair is dry.

But even with using our high-quality, gentle sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner, some may still find their hair is feeling dry.

There are several possibilities for this, but first, let’s look at the most likely reason, which is how the shampoo is designed to work.

LuxeOrganix Argan Oil Shampoo was formulated as a healthy alternative to salon-quality products (and free from harsh and unnecessary ingredients that can cause damage). It isn’t loaded up with synthetic moisturizers or parabens, which can be found in lower quality, sulfate-based shampoos that strip hair of its natural, beneficial oils.

These ingredients give the impression your hair feels soft after washing, when in fact, it’s just coated with slippery materials and isn’t actually moisturized, repaired, or hydrated.

Since LuxeOrganix doesn’t contain any unnecessary or harmful ingredients, this may be why after rinsing the LuxeOrganix shampoo, some feel their hair is dry. However, it may actually be an indication that your hair is just squeaky clean, and is now prepared to be deeply moisturized and protected by our conditioner.

Simply put – it is not designed to be a stand-alone product, but rather, to be paired with the LuxeOrganix Argan Oil Conditioner.

Your hair needs hydration, so conditioning after shampooing is essential to preventing it from dehydration and dryness. Depending on your climate and how you style your hair, the frequency and how you condition your hair may vary.

10. REPAIR AND DAMAGE CONTROL

That said, another common reason hair may feel dry after washing, is that it is already severely dehydrated, or even damaged. “Prevention is key. Dry hair worsens with time because of accumulated abuse,” says Eugene Toye who is a senior stylist at Rita Hazan Salon in New York. He says, “The only real way to get rid of the damage is to cut off damaged hair.”

But if running for the scissors to trim it off isn’t an option – conditioning, prevention, and protection are your only other options.

Deep conditioning treatments with ingredients containing proteins, amino acids, vitamins (like Panthenol b5), marshmallow root, as well as hydrating oils such as argan or hemp oil, will help soften, smooth, and boost the vibrance of your hair for days. Using a leave-in conditioner can also make a noticeable difference.

Many of our customers have found it helpful to follow washing and conditioning with a small amount of LuxeOrganix Argan Oil Styling Cream to add hydration, control, and protection for heat styling. This product leaves hair smooth, frizz-free, and more manageable while providing a light hold.

For severely parched hair, using an oil, such as argan oil, as your base layer, then adding your styling products, can also visibly improve your hair. It may also help to occasionally use a deep conditioning hair mask, prior to applying your regular conditioner.

Some of our customers with severely dry or damaged hair have found it very beneficial to wash with the Argan Oil Shampoo, then after rinsing and squeezing the water away from their hair, follow with LuxeOrganix Deep Conditioner Hair Mask. The reason they find this deep conditioning hair mask so effective at rejuvenating stressed tresses is because it’s packed full of ultra-hydrating and strengthening organic and natural, bio-available ingredients. (It contains all of those impactful ingredients Toye mentioned for helping dry, damaged hair.)

Allowing the hair mask to soak for 5 minutes (or more if you have time), gives the conditioning nutrients a chance to soak in and do their miracle work. After rinsing the hair mask out, follow with a moisturizing conditioner, such as LuxeOrganix Argan Oil Conditioner.

Doing this initially once or twice per week, until the hair becomes more hydrated and visibly smoother, is a smart routine for a salon-quality treatment from the comfort of your home.

Of course, using high-quality products meant for your specific hair type is only part of the equation. Taking good care of your hair, eating healthy foods that will help your hair grow stronger, and using simple home remedies can help manage and maintain to prevent and protect your hair from being damaged and feeling dry — and keep it healthy going forward. It’s applying this knowledge that will reveal naturally beautiful, healthy hair.

Let’s NOT Make This Too Complicated!

We hope you feel empowered, rather than overwhelmed, by this information. Each tip can be used by itself or in combination with others to help improve the health and appearance of your hair. But it’s important to remember, that your hair didn’t get to its current state overnight, so expecting perfect, healthy hair overnight isn’t fair to yourself.

Yes, some of us have some work to do, but be gentle with yourself and give yourself time to explore what works best for you. Being focused and taking consistent action will always lead to results. At one point in time, the thickness of my hair was reduced by nearly two-thirds, and I struggled with thin, brittle ends for some time. Once I started chipping away at the causes of damage and was intentional about my health and the health of my hair, my life changed.

Your goal is absolutely possible… so, go for it!

And, if there’s anything we can do to support you along your journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We are committed to helping you look and feel beautiful, without sacrificing your health for the sake of your beauty.

Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner Sets

Bond Integrity Protein Hair Treatment