Dry Hair: Causes, Care, and Remedies
Hair is a truly remarkable fibre, boasting impressive strength and resilience. On average, our scalps are home to 80,000 to 120,000 hairs, with blondes having more and redheads fewer.
On average, people with healthy hair shed around 100 strands daily. As one of the fastest-growing cell types in the human body, hair grows at a steady rate of about 0.5 inches per month (6 inches per year), though this varies from person to person.
What's truly astonishing is hair's incredible durability. A healthy strand can stretch up to 30% of its length without breaking, absorb its weight in water, and swell up to 20% of its diameter. In fact, a single scalp hair can support an impressive 3 ounces (100 grams), while an average head of hair, twisted together, can withstand an astonishing 23 tons - provided, of course, it's in good condition.
The remarkable synergy of strength, flexibility, and growth in hair makes it a fascinating aspect of human biology. Yet, beyond its scientific marvels, what truly matters to us is how our hair looks and feels.
For most of us we cannot change the fact that we have dry hair, but we can significantly improve its appearance and texture with consistent, gentle care.
In this blog, we will explore:
- What is dry hair?
- Recognizable symptoms of dry hair.
- Effective ideas to help improve your locks.
But first, let's get nerdy! Understanding the science behind hair will help us better grasp the causes of dryness and find effective remedies.
Hair Structure
The Hair Shaft
Each hair is comprised of a hair shaft and a hair root. Your hair shaft is the part of your hair that can be seen above your scalp. It is made of a tough protein called keratin that is compacted and fused together. Keratin is the same material that makes up nails, hoofs, feathers and claws.
Although a single strand of hair looks very thin and fragile, it is a remarkably strong and quite resistant to wear and tear. A single strand can carry a weight of up to 3 ounces (100 grams) and is stronger than a copper wire of the same diameter.
Each hair strand is made up of two or three layers: the cuticle, the cortex, and sometimes the medulla.
The cuticle, the outermost layer made up of flattened cells that overlap like the tiles on a roof, protects the inside of the hair shaft from damage. It is a rigid, tough outer shell of hardened protein with natural hair lipids (sebum) found between the cuticle layers, holding them together. These lipids also form a lipid layer within the cuticle and create a water-repelling barrier at its surface.
A healthy cuticle is smooth and flat and reflects light to provide shine. It is responsible for the luster and texture of the hair, helps balance the moisture content of hair, and can be damaged by over processing.
Underneath the cuticle is the cortex which is the thickest hair layer. It is made up of long proteins that twist like the curly cord on an old-fashioned telephone. If you have ever tried pulling a strand of your hair you will notice that it stretches before it breaks. As you stretch a hair shaft you are straightening the coiled proteins in the cortex which will then coil up again when released. The pigments that provide natural hair color are tucked among these keratin protein strands and protected from the elements by the translucent layer of cuticle cells.
When you get split ends they are pieces of cortex in which the protective cuticle has worn away. Without the cuticle, the fibers of the cortex fray like the ends of a rope. Since the cortex is not able to heal itself, the only way to get rid of split ends is to cut them off.
Hair texture and shine relates to the cuticle, whereas the integrity of hair relates to the cortex.
The third and innermost layer of your hair is the medulla. Made up of a thin, soft, transparent cells and air spaces, it is only present in thicker hair types. Coarse hair generally has this layer, while fine hair usually does not.
Hair density and thickness may decreases with age.
The Hair Follicle, Root, Bulb and Shaft
Each hair grows from its own individual hair follicle which is anchored to your scalp. At the base of the hair is the bulb where living cells divide and grow to build the hair shaft.
Blood vessels nourish the cells in the hair bulb and the nerve cells that sense hair movement are sensitive to even the slightest breeze. These nerve cells also let you know when someone pulls your hair (ouch).
Cells in the hair bulb, called melanocytes, make the pigment called melanin that gives your hair its color. The shape of your hair follicle determines the shape of your hair (i.e. whether it is straight, wavy or curly).
Each hair follicle is attached to tiny muscles called arrector pili. When arrector pili muscles contract, they cause hair to stand up and form goosebumps on the skin. The arrector pili response helps keep animals with thick hair or fur warm. Unfortunately, it does not work that way for humans.
At the base of the hair, the hair root widens to a round hair bulb. The hair papilla, which supplies nutrients and blood to the hair root, is found inside the bottom of the hair bulb. As long as new hair cells are being made in the hair bulb, hair continues to grow longer.
What Is Dry Hair?
Dry hair is hair that lacks moisture and oil, resulting in a loss of its natural shine and soft texture.
As a result, hair that is dry will often be brittle and dull, have a straw-like texture, and appear frizzy, lifeless, and dull or have split ends.
Dry hair develops when your hair does not get or retain enough moisture. Since the hair itself has no natural lubrication it relies on the natural sebum (oils) made by the scalp to keep it shiny and moisturized.
Sebum, the natural oil lubricating the hair shaft, comes from the sebaceous glands attached to hair follicles located in the dermal layer of the scalp.
Sebum fills the gaps between the protective cuticle cells to keep hair shiny and flexible. Unfortunately, sebum on your scalp and hair acts like a sticky trap for dirt, debris, and environmental pollutants.
As you shampoo your hair to wash away the dirt, protective oils often go with it. Thus, over-washing or using a harsh shampoo can take a toll on hair making it dry, dull, and brittle.
Dry hair often stems from insufficient scalp oil production disrupting the natural balance of moisture and protection essential for maintaining shine and strength and promoting healthy growth.
As scalp oil production decreases, the hair becomes vulnerable to dryness and breakage.
Damage to the hair's protective cuticle layercan also contribute to dry hair. A damaged cuticle makes hair more vulnerable to environmental stressors, much like damaged roof shingles expose a home to the elements.
In healthy hair, the cuticle layers lie tightly together, trapping moisture and maintaining hydration. However, when damage occurs, these layers separate from the hair shaft, impairing its ability to retain moisture and leaving it prone to dryness and breakage.
There are a variety of factors can affect natural sebum production and lead to dry hair or dry scalp:
- general health
- genetics (hair type and texture)
- environmental stressors
- hair care habits
- diet
- dehydration
- age (scalp oil production naturally declines with age)
- hormonal fluctuations, such as those experienced during menopause
- medications
- climate and seasons--sun, swimming, wind, cold, and dry indoor air
Keep in mind that individual factors may vary, and scalp oil production can be influenced by a combination of any of these factors.
Symptoms and Notes About Dry Hair
DULL & LIFELESS HAIR
Lack of moisture causes hair to loose bounce, luster and shine and look dull and lackluster. It is difficult to manage and often tangles easily.
HAIR BREAKAGE & DECREASE ELASTICITY
Dry hair, more brittle and less elastic than normal hair, is more prone to breakage. Did you ever try to use an old rubber band that had dried out? As soon as you stretched it--it breaks. Dry hair behaves the same way--the less give (elasticity) your hair has the less moisture it contains and the more easily it breaks.
BRITTLE, ROUGH OR HARSH TEXTURE
Does your hair feel like silk or like straw? Dry hair is often brittle, breaks easily, and has a rough and coarse-to-the-touch texture.
ITCHY & FLAKY SCALP
When the skin on your body is dry, it is often itchy and flaky. The skin on your head, your scalp, is no different.
SPLIT ENDS
When the end of a hair strand separates into two or more pieces--you have split ends. Most agree that there is no way to fix split ends. The best solution is a good trim. But you can help prevent them by being more gentle with your hair and adding a good natural conditioning balm to the ends. There are many folks with split ends that do not have dry hair!
DRY AND FRIZZY HAIR
Dry, frizzy hair is marked by dullness, dryness, and brittleness. Common signs include split ends, breakage, rough texture, frizziness, flyaway hair, and a lack of shine. This type of hair lacks the smooth, silky feel and radiant appearance of healthy locks.
COARSE HAIR
Coarse hair is characterized by thick, large hair strands. While coarse hair is not directly caused by dryness, many individuals with coarse hair experience dryness, brittleness, and rough texture. Without adequate moisture, coarse hair tends to become even more frizzy and stubborn, making it more challenging to manage than other hair types.
Using a small amount of a warm oil or balm (even just warmed between your hands) helps the moisture penetrate the strands rather than sitting on top.
Help With Dry Hair
MOISTURIZE
If your hair is naturally dry, frizzy, coarse, or damaged, you can help replace missing oils by using natural, organic hair balms and hair oils that nourish hair, seal in moisture and keep hair hydrated and healthy.
Hair Oil
Hair-oiling may be new to many people, but its benefits have been proven from centuries of ancient tradition.
A hair oil can be helpful for any hair type, especially if it has become dry or damaged due to heat or over-processing.
Naturally curly or coarse textured hair, which can be drier than other hair types, is prone to breakage if not moisturized regularly.
Our organic hair oils contain hydrating ingredients that provide a protective layer of moisture for those who need damage repair or those with curly or coily textured hair who choose to wear their hair naturally.
You can use a hair oil at any time, on both dry and wet hair, but be mindful of the amount to avoid greasiness.
Just a few drops deeply hydrate, smooth, nourish, and add shine to your hair. Oils also prevent static electricity, protect from sunlight, and restore softness and gloss to wavy, frizzy, or unruly hair.
Tip: For fine hair, apply the oil mid-length to the tips. Very dry or damaged hair can be oiled from root to tip.
Hair Balms
Hair butter balms are very versatile products that can be used as pre-wash conditioners, in-shower conditioners, intense conditioners, and leave-in conditioners.
If you have coarsely textured hair, tightly coiled curly hair, dry, or unruly coarse grey hair a hair butter balm is an excellent hair product if you want to go natural with your hair.
Thicker in consistency than hair oil, a natural plant-based hair butter is a great product for styling, freshening a hair style, or repairing dry, brittle, or damaged hair.
Learn More: How To Use A Conditioning Hair Butter: Basic Instructions
Moisturize Daily
If your hair is very dry, use a bit of balm or oil daily to help decrease split ends, stop frizz and add shine back to dull, lifeless hair.
- Dry Scalp: Quite often people think they have dandruff but it is really just a dry scalp.
- Scalp massage with or without moisturizer can help stimulate blood flow and natural oil production. (Read more about scalp massage below)
- Deep condition once a week: Wrap oiled hair in a warm towel for 30 minutes or longer or even overnight. Wash and style as usual.
NATURAL CLEANSING
The path to beautiful hair begins with natural cleansing, but all shampoos are not created equal!
Shampoos made using detergent cleansers, foaming agents, stabilizers, and other synthetic chemicals can be harsh on the hair and scalp.
Opting for a more mild, gentle cleanser instead of a more harsh, stripping formula can help preserve the beneficial sebum and maintain hair's natural moisture balance.
A moisturizing natural shampoo bar that contains carefully selected organic ingredients can help promote a moisturized scalp and well-conditioned hair as it gently cleanses.
Learn More Blog, Everything You Want To Know About Shampoo Bars
OTHER THINGS TO DO OR NOT TO DO
Although we may not be able to change the fact that we have dry hair, we certainly can make it look and feel better with regular gentle and natural care. Below are a few more things to consider.
Shampoo less often: Even using a gentle shampoo can be drying if done too often. If your scalp starts looking a bit oily, a natural dry shampoo can help by absorbing excess oils on the scalp in between washings.
Let your hair air dry: Keep blow dryers to a minimum. It may take a few weeks for your natural shine and texture to show through. If you must use a dryer once in a while, use the warm or cool setting and keep it several inches from your head.
Be Gentle: Dry hair is fragile hair. When shampooing do not scrub or wring hair and use a lukewarm water rinse. Using heat-styling tools every day, bleaching or coloring hair, and chemical treatments, like dyes, perms and relaxers can all be damaging.
Use a comb instead of a brush: Brushing the hair length rips through snarls and can leave your hair looking frizzy and rough. Use a wide-toothed comb while hair is still wet.
Stick with natural hair care. Avoid chemical-laden styling products or products that contain alcohol or synthetic detergents that can dry out your hair and scalp.
Trim split ends. Split ends contribute to that frizzy look and feel. Removing them can make hair feel smoother, prevent breakage and promote healthy growth. Did you know? Hair grows about 6 inches annually. If you have shoulder-length hair or longer and never trim, some ends may be over 4 years old! That's a lot of wear and tear.
Protect Your Hair. Environmental conditions such as over exposure to the sun, heavy wind, extreme heat or cold, hot dry climate, low humidity, pollution, and chlorine can all contribute to dry hair conditions.
Stay hydrated: Moisturize from the inside out! Drinking plenty of water is essential for healthy, vibrant hair. Proper hydration improves scalp health, promotes hair growth, and maintains moisture balance.
Helpful Hints
SCALP MASSAGE
Scalp massage can improve scalp circulation and encourage natural sebum production in dry hair.
You can massage a dry or wet scalp. An easy way to incorporate a scalp massage into your hair care routine is in the shower after applying shampoo or conditioner. Or do a scalp massage in the evening before bedtime since it can also help ease stress and tension.
Spread your fingers, and then place your fingertips on the scalp. Avoid using fingernails which can break hair strands or damage the scalp. Use slow, gentle movements to move fingertips in a circular pattern around the whole head alternating fingertips around different areas of the scalp.
You can do a gentle scalp massage as often as you would like.
If you suffer from very dry hair or scalp add a few drops of a natural hair oil to your fingertips before massaging the scalp.
PROPER BRUSHING
A flakey scalp does not always mean dandruff. It could be an indication that the scalp is very dry and/or irritated. Proper brushing can help "exfoliate" the scalp to remove dead skin cells and allow natural oils to nourish the scalp.
Your Natural Scalp Oil may actually hold the key to beautiful hair. Brushing can help stimulate the scalp and distribute natural hair oils your scalp produces, which adds shine to your strands and keeps them hydrated.
Be gentle, and do NOT brush hair when wet or tangled to prevent breakage.
Depending on your hair type proper hair brushing, sometimes called "dry brushing" can help condition your hair. If the hair is free from knots and snarls, use full gentle strokes from the scalp to the tips to help to distribute the natural hair oils.
Brushing snarled or knotted hair from roots to ends can lead to breakage. To prevent this, try the following gentle detangling method:
- Start with a wide-toothed comb
- Begin a few inches from the bottom of the hair
- Work your way up in small sections, using short, gentle strokes to remove tangles
- Once detangled, brush from scalp to tips to distribute natural oils
If you have very curly, coarse or coiled kinky hair, brushing will more easily damage the cuticle and often causes breakages. Instead use your fingers to do a scalp massage and then distribute natural oils along the hair length.
Not all hair brushes are created equal. Do research on the internet to find the best brush for your hair type.
Conclusion
Embrace your natural texture! Healthy, beautiful hair is within reach. With the right care and attention, you can transform dry, brittle hair into soft, vibrant locks. Start your journey to healthier hair today!
