You wake up and walk sleepily in front of the mirror, yawn and then - shock! Frizzy hair again. If this has happened to you once in a while, you need to know quick ways to keep your hair in check, and how to look after it for the future. To help remedy dry hair, you need to add a few steps to your routine, as well as avoid any harmful habits.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Fixing Dry Hair
Step 1. Apply conditioner to your hair every time you shower
While you shouldn't overdo the shampoos, give conditioner whenever possible. The conditioner, unlike the shampoo, does not keep dirt away but adds moisture and reduces the swelling of the hair cuticle.
Invest in a quality conditioner if you are plagued with dry hair. A little more money will give you a product that will make a difference
Step 2. After taking a shower, apply a leave-in conditioner
This type of conditioner is available in cream or spray; use what you think is best for your hair. Dry your hair with a towel until it is partially dry, then apply conditioner and let it finish air-drying.
- Leave-in conditioners come in a wide range of prices and can be found in any supermarket or convenience store.
- As with any product, investing more money will produce better results.
Step 3. Purchase and apply hair cream
Plan to apply an intensive moisturizer once or twice a week in your daily routine.
- Apply the cream all over your hair, from roots to ends.
- Collect your hair in a bun if you have it long.
- Cover your head with a shower cap to prevent the cream from soiling your clothes and furniture.
- Leave the cream on for at least an hour.
- Take a shower to rinse the product out of your hair.
Step 4. Use natural alternatives for creams over supermarket products
Many natural lotions are great sources of nutrition and hydration for the hair. If you are bothered by store-bought chemicals, use natural lotions. Apply the same process as you would for store-bought creams: apply the lotion all over your hair, from roots to ends, cover with a shower cap, and let it sit for at least an hour before rinsing.
- Coconut oil is a super popular product that people use on their hair and skin.
- Avocado oil is a good source of vitamins A, B, D and E, as well as proteins, amino acids, iron, copper, magnesium and folic acid.
- Argan oil not only treats dryness, but can also be used to treat split ends.
- Olive oil is a great product that you probably have somewhere in the kitchen.
Step 5. Use honey to condition your hair
It is good to point out that some of the best hair products are found in nature. Honey is a great source of nutrients and adds the moisture it needs to dry or damaged hair.
- Mix ¼ cup of raw honey with enough apple cider vinegar to spread on your hair.
- Take a shower to clean your hair.
- Apply honey with water to clean, damp hair.
- Cover your head with a shower cap.
- Let it rest for at least half an hour.
- Take another shower to remove the mixture from your hair.
- Replace the water with apple cider vinegar or a nourishing oil (coconut, argan or olive) if you want the action of the conditioner to be more intense.
Step 6. Use avocado to condition your hair
You can use either avocado oil, which you can buy in different establishments (hairdressers, beauty supplies, supermarkets or convenience stores and online), or simply avocado fruit.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of avocado oil and one of olive oil, and apply evenly over the entire hair. Let it sit for an hour before rinsing off.
- Mash two avocados in a bowl. Work through damp hair from roots to ends, then cover with a shower cap and let it sit for fifteen to twenty minutes before rinsing off.
- Make sure you mash the avocado very well to avoid too large chunks, and apply evenly to the hair.
Step 7. Use bananas to condition your hair
Like avocado, bananas are an inexpensive and natural way to add nutrients and moisture to your hair.
- In a blender, mix 3 ripe, peeled bananas with 3 tablespoons of honey (about 44.5 ml.), 2 tablespoons of yogurt and a tablespoon of milk.
- Take a shower to clean your hair.
- Apply the mixture to damp, clean hair.
- Wear a shower cap.
- Let it rest for at least an hour.
- Wash your hair.
Part 2 of 2: Ending the Dehydrating Habits
Step 1. Don't overdo the shampoo
Many, and Americans in particular, tend to use more shampoos than they should, and this can deprive their hair of the vital oils, called sebum, needed to keep it healthy and shiny. Reduce the use of shampoo to no more than two or three times a week to keep sebum levels in balance and prevent dryness.
Step 2. Switch to a low sulfate or sulfate free shampoo
Many shampoos contain large amounts of sulfates which create good lather. The lather may give you a sense of cleanliness, but the sulfates actually strip your hair of important natural oils. Shampoos that are low in sulfates, or without, clean your hair just as well, although you'll have to get used to less lathering showers.
- Low sulfate shampoos are on sale in most supermarkets.
- If you can't find them, try local beauty or hairdressing supplies stores.
Step 3. Try switching from shampooing to the no-poo method
No-poo, as trivial as it may seem, is a great alternative to shampoos that keeps chemicals away from your hair by using simple household items.
- Completely dissolve a tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water and use the solution to wash your hair in the shower.
- Baking soda alone would make your hair dry, so always follow with apple cider vinegar, which is a natural moisturizer.
- Mix apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts and pour into your hair after the baking soda mixture has been rinsed off.
- Clean your hair from all blends.
Step 4. Avoid styling that uses heat-intensive processes
Continued exposure to blow dryers dries hair and causes heat damage. Let your hair air dry as often as you can and if you need to dry with hot air, always use protective products (easily purchased in a supermarket or convenience store).
