By Olivia Parkinson
According to a survey from Instyle, over half of the American women are concerned about the lack of moisture in their hair. For Afro-American women, dry hair is the number one source of worry, with over 7 in 10 black women worrying about lack of moisture and the further consequences on their hair health.
Perhaps it's no surprise that the average American can experience over 3 months of bad hair days in a year. Dry hair is an unpleasant hair issue that can affect not only your style, but also your self-confidence, your overall hair and scalp health, and the time you need to spend getting ready in the morning.
However, some lifestyle habits can make it harder to escape a vicious dry hair cycle. Here are the top 7 tips you can use to protect your hair health and keep dryness at bay.
#1. Protect your hair against extreme weather
Your hair follicles don't have any nerve endings. As a result, most people don't realize when the hair sustains significant damage after prolonged exposure to harsh weather or extreme temperatures.
Even Florida can be subject to freezing temperatures in winter. Extremely cold weather can dry out the hair and cause breakage in the structure. Hair experts recommend wearing a hat in winter or windy weather to protect the hair.
Additionally, exposure to extreme heat, such as during a heatwave, can also lead to dryness as the scalp can't maintain a healthy amount of oil.
#2. Use the right hair products
Incorporating nourishing hair products into your routine, such as specialist dry hair conditioners, can help make a huge difference. Thankfully, there are plenty of options when it comes to conditioners. Ideally, you should try to identify the source of your problems. For instance, exposure to pollution can dry out the hair. Therefore, it would make sense to select a conditioner that specifically protects from urban aggression. On the other hand, if dryness is the result of seasonal changes, a nourishing product will have a better result.
#3. Avoid hot showers
Hot showers are relaxing. However, while it can be tempting to let the hot water wash away the stress of the day, dermatologists recommend keeping your shower temperature at 112 degrees. Indeed, it is the optimal temperature to wash away environmental bacteria and dirt without affecting the epidermis fatty lipid layer. According to experts, the lipid layer melts with prolonged exposure to water temperature over 112 degrees. As a result, the skin becomes itchy and dry on the body but also on the scalp, affecting the ability to maintain lush hair.
#4. Don't wash your hair too often
Overwashing your hair can deprive the scalp of its natural oil. The average person could go 2 to 3 days without washing the hair unless they have a specific scalp condition. If you wash your hair too frequently, you could risk causing excessive dryness and split ends.
Additionally, dry hair can also be associated with oily roots, as the scalp tries to bring moisture to the hair. As excessive washing can lead to damage, the hair is often left unable to absorb the moisture. In other words, it can be helpful to wash your hair less often to reduce the risk of split ends and oily roots.
#5. Avoid restrictive and tight hairstyles
Tight hairstyles, such as a restrictive ponytail or a high hair bun, can pull the hair follicles. In the worst-case scenario, tight hairstyles can be linked to hair loss. The effect is temporary, but the hair will need time to regrow strong and healthy.
The pull on the follicles can also damage the hair structure and make it tricky to maintain healthy moisture levels.
#6. Introduce hair goodness food
Berries are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, protecting the hair follicles against damage from free radicals. Antioxidants can also prevent dryness from environmental factors.
Vitamin A rich foods, such as spinach and avocados, support the sebum glands in the skin, which keep the scalp moisturized and the hair healthy.
Nuts bring anti-inflammatory benefits, which protect the scalp and help preserve hair health.
Protein and biotin, present in eggs, help maintain the hair structure, ensuring moisture can't escape from the follicle.
#7. Switch to hair wrap or air drying rather than blow-drying
The blow-drying process can deprive the hair of essential moisture. Instead, you can try air-drying your hair to retain the moisture. If the hair becomes hard to style after dry-drying, it is worth wrapping the hair in a soft cloth or towel to absorb the excess moisture without drying it out.
Hopefully, these few tips can help preserve your hair health and reduce unpleasant dryness. As the weather is getting warmer in Florida, citizens must remember to keep their scalps from prolonged sun exposure and avoid long showers.
