Dry and Damaged Hair Solutions

Tried and True Remedies to Turn Dry and Damaged Hair

Into Healthy Head of Shiny Locks

The average human head has 150,000 hairs, and, conformists that they are, when one's dry, they're all dry. But unlike a dry flower garden or polished rice, the solution is not simply to add water. Water, in fact, may be responsible for the hair's parched condition, particularly if we're talking about water of the salty, chlorinated, or sudsy variety. The market is flooded with products for dry, overheated, and damaged hair, from shampoos, conditioners, to protectant masks. It can be a daunting task to know which product is right for you. Home remedies might be your best bet for having a more manageable mane.

Swimming and over-shampooing are two common causes of arid, fly-away locks. Other culprits can include colorings, permanents, electric curlers, excessive blow-drying, and too much exposure to wind and sun. Keep your styling products and accessories to a minimum to keep from drying out your locks completely.

Whatever the culprit, your poor, abused hair needs help—badly. You can almost hear all 150,000 of them down on their little split ends, pleading, "Save me! Save me!" Here's a quick course on how to rescue dried-out hair.

Shampoo with Care

"It's in vogue these days to shampoo every day, but shampooing doesn't only wash away dirt, it washes out the hair's protective oils," says Thomas Goodman, Jr., M.D. If you've dried your hair out from too much lather, give your hair a needed break—try washing less often. And use only a mild shampoo, one labeled "for dry or damaged hair."

Use a Conditioner

When hair becomes dry, the outer layers, called cuticles, peel off from the central shaft. Conditioners glue the cuticles back to the shaft, add lubricant to the hair, and prevent static electricity (which creates frizz). Pick a conditioner that works well for you and use it after every shampoo, says Dr. Goodman.

Go heavy on the Mayo

Mayonnaise makes an excellent conditioner. Leave the oily white goo in your hair for anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour before washing it out.

Snip off those frayed ends

Dry hair tends to suffer most at the ends. What is the answer? Snip 'em off. Get a trim every six weeks or so to keep those frayed ends under control.

Design your hair without heat

Heat is what makes the desert a desert; it also contributes to dried-out hair. Two of the most intense sources of heat are curling irons and electric curlers. It is suggested by top Hollywood hairstylists that you rediscover those (unheated) plastic cylinder rollers from years gone by. For straightening, wrap slightly moist hair under and around rollers (like a page boy hairdo) for about 10 minutes. For curling or adding wave, try using sponge rollers overnight or sleeping with moist braids.

Protect your hair from the elements

Whipping wind can fray your hair just like a piece of fabric. Sun, too, takes a mighty toll. Solution: Wear a hat, both on breezy, balmy summer days, and gusty, frosty winter days.

Don't swim bare headed

Chlorine is one of the most destructive things to hair. So make a rubber cap part of your regular swim attire. For extra protection first rub a little olive oil into your hair.

Have a beer

Beer is a wonderful setting lotion. It gives a crisp, healthy, shiny look, even to dry hair. The trick is to spray the brew onto your hair using a pump bottle after you've shampooed and towel-dried, but before you blow-dry or style. And don't worry about smelling like a lush—the odor of the beer quickly disappears.

Consider a trip to the beauty parlor

Experts agree that a professional moisturizing treatment can work wonders for your dried-out head of hair. A real good steam treatment with oils and creams lasts about an hour, and afterward you can really tell the difference. If you can’t afford a salon beauty treatment, get a store-bought intensive conditioning treatment to bring some moisture back into your locks.

Drink plenty of water and raw fruits

What you put into your body is reflected on the outside especially in your hair.

Mash up some rotten bananas and avocados

This makes a nutrient-rich mixture that will leave your hair shiny and healthy looking.

...more articles >>

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