Dry hair can be the absolute worst. From a lack of body and fullness to excess frizz and flyaways, dry hair can be nearly impossible to style, and is about the exact opposite thing you think about when you imagine runway-ready hair. Because dry hair typically has a raised cuticle layer, this hair also tends to lack its usual shine and luster while feeling rough to the touch. Moving past the superficial signs of hair dryness, dry hair lacks the moisture required to maintain a proper hair structure, which can quickly lead to significant hair damage and breakage while contributing to improper hair growth and compromised hair health. To put it simply, dry hair is to be avoided at all costs.
Unfortunately, some of the key causes of hair dryness stem from the poor habits that we have when it comes to our daily hair maintenance routine, making the prevention of dry hair much more difficult than simply buying a moisturizing conditioner or mask. Read below to uncover some of the worst behaviors to avoid in preventing dry hair!
Excessive Shampooing
Look, we all hate the feeling of greasy hair, and it’s never a good idea to allow build-up to accumulate in your hair. That being said, you really don’t need to wash your hair nearly as often as you may think, as 2-3 washes a week is more than enough to keep your hair clean. When you wash your hair excessively, you strip your hair of its natural oils, leading to a gradual degradation of the cuticle layer, which causes moisture to seep from the inner hair strand.
Using Low-Quality Heat Tools
We get it, there’s so many styling tools on the market, and it can be hard to discern between high-quality tools and low-quality tools. Unfortunately, low-quality tools can scorch your hair with direct heat that saps the moisture from your hair, leading to damage and breakage. Look for tools that utilize infrared heat, which dries the hair from the inside out, or ionic technology, which utilizes negative ions to preserve moisture levels in the hair strand.
Using Harsh Hair Products
Some hair types can really benefit from strong shampoos that strip the hair of excess grease and dirt, as these hair types tend to be extremely oily and are quite difficult to dry out. For most other hair types, however, you’ll want to avoid any shampoo or hair product containing harsh sulfates or an improper pH, which can easily strip your hair’s cuticle layer and cause a harsh, dry environment for your scalp.
Taking Hot Showers
Few things can be more relaxing than a long, warm shower after a tough day. However, washing your hair with this same temperature of water is just begging for disaster. Too-warm of hair will quickly dry the hair out, causing it to lose precious moisture while breaking down the natural oils and proteins that keep the moisture inside.