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WHAT CAUSES DRY CURLY HAIR??

In the summer, you blame dry hair on the sun and heat. In the winter, you think perhaps cold and wind could be the culprits--stripping your hair’s moisture. And when it comes to your dry hair, those factors definitely contribute. But there’s more to understand about dry hair and many ways to moisturize every type of dry hair so that it feels soft and supple.




Why So Dry? The Science Of Dry Hair

There are two basic reasons for dry hair. One is that your scalp doesn’t produce enough natural oil to moisturize your hair. This can be hereditary, or it could be something that happens over time, because as we age, the body’s rate of oil production naturally slows down, leading to dryer skin and of course, dry hair.


It’s also possible that the condition or structure of your hair is causing the moisture to escape, which leads to dry hair. A strand of hair is made up of three main segments. At the center is the medulla or core, which is the supporting structure. Surrounding the medulla is the cortex, which forms the middle layer. The cortex gives your hair its shape, resilience, elasticity, and curl.


Surrounding and protecting the cortex is the cuticle. Think of the cuticle structure as overlapping shingles on a roof. When the “shingles” are compact, the hair appears glossy and shiny and moisture cannot escape. When the “shingles” are loosened, hair can appear dull and fly away, and it’s easier for natural oil and moisture to escape from the inner structure, which leads to weakened and dry hair.


Causes Of Dry Hair and How To Solve Them


1. Thermal Abuse Can Cause Dry Hair

Those blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, and hot rollers make your hair look so amazing? They’re also a big part of why it might be dry. High temperatures strip strands of their natural moisture, especially in the case of irons and rollers which come in direct contact with dry hair.

What you can do:

  • Use a thermal protective formula before applying heat. These products provide a barrier between the hair strand and the heat of dryers and irons, which can help protect dry hair from thermal tools.

  • Consider using ionic thermal tools. The makers of these types of products explain that positive and negative ions exist in all substances, and when wet, hair is positively charged. Ionic hair dryers inject the hair with negative ions, allowing water molecules to penetrate deep into the hair. As a result, dry hair is rehydrated.

  • Dial down the heat. Many good quality irons and dryers feature temperature settings. If your hair is dry, select a lower setting. Consider this: water boils at 210 degrees, and some irons and dryers heat up to 450 degrees! A lower heat setting will be much kinder to your dry hair!

  • Take a break from the heat. Experiment with hairstyles like braids, buns, and chignons that don’t require heat styling and will give your dry hair a rest from moisture-hating thermal tools!


2. Over Washing and Under Conditioning Can Dry Your Hair

Shampooing with a formula that’s too harsh for your dry hair, or shampooing too frequently can strip away your hair’s natural oils. On the other hand, you really can’t use too much conditioner—it’s dry hair’s best friend!


What you can do:

  • Choose a shampoo that’s designed for dry curly hair. These are usually creamy rather than clear, and they may contain ingredients like aloe vera or apricot kernel oil that help dry hair retain moisture.

  • Skip the daily shampoo. If your hair is dry, it may not be necessary to shampoo every day. Take two or more days off between shampoos and give your scalp’s natural oil a chance to replenish your dry hair. If your hair becomes flat or your scalp gets too oily, try applying a dry shampoo on your roots or co-washing helps to refresh and absorb excess oil.

  • Condition your dry curly hair on the “off” days. Lots of people with dry hair still like the refreshing experience of a head-to-toe shower. In that case, swap out your shampoo for a rinse-out conditioner formulated for dry hair a few days a week! You’ll feel as if you’ve shampooed, and your dry hair will benefit from an extra dose of conditioning!

3. Exposing Your Hair to Too Much Sun, Wind, Chlorine, Saltwater or Dry Air Can Make It Dry

Playing outside is fun…and healthy…except when it comes to your dry hair. UV rays, harsh or dry conditions, and swimming in pools or the ocean can all strip dry hair of precious moisture.


What you can do:

  • Wear a cute hat or scarf over your hair: When you’re in the sun or in harsh environmental conditions, not only do those UV rays cause dry hair, they can also cause your pretty hair color to fade too quickly! Wearing a protective layer over your hair can keep your hair healthy.

  • Apply UV Protection To Your Hair: If you are going to be in the sun with your hair exposed, look for leave-in sprays that offer UV protection.

  • Waterproof your dry hair: Before taking the plunge into the pool or the sea, coat your hair with a thick conditioning cream or a treatment oil, and cover it with a swim cap.

  • Step up your conditioning routine in harsh weather: Switch to a richer conditioner in cold-weather months and add a weekly deep conditioning treatment to your hair care routine.

4. Too Many Chemical Treatments Can Cause Dry Hair

Haircolor and highlights--as well as relaxers, perms, and chemical smoothers--can all cause healthy hair to become dry hair.


What you can do:

  • Consider Ammonia-free Hair Color: Talk to your stylist about your hair color options, ammonia-free permanent and demi-permanent formulas, for example, are gentler and better for dry hair.

  • Try Balayage Hair Color: If your stylist highlights your dry hair, consider a highlighting technique called balayage, in which hair color or lightener is handpainted only onto the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. The look is natural and deliberately “rooty,” which means that retouches can be done less frequently, which is healthier for your hair.

  • Explore non-chemical options for straightening your hair: Today, there are many excellent smoothing formulas that can be applied before you style your hair that will prevent frizz and flyaways and add moisture to your dry hair.

5. Bad Brushes and Bad Brushing Can Cause Dry Hair

Metal brushes or poorly made brushes with uneven, jagged bristles can cause dry hair to tear, which disturbs the hair cuticle and leads to moisture loss.


What you can do:

  • Use a wide-tooth comb: Start at the bottom and gently work your way up to the top to detangle. Treat wet hair to a leave-in conditioner or detangler to help smooth the way.

  • Choose a good boar bristle brush: Boar bristle will gently distribute your natural oils through your dry hair as you brush.



Those are the causes of having dry hair and things that you can do that might help in preventing dry hair. Always remember, your hair is your crown, we should practice taking care of them before it gets worst. In simple ways, we can maintain our hair and scalp healthy especially in the transition of season.








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