Damaged or Dry Hair - Causes and Solutions

For years, beauty Industry market luxurious shampoos, Serums and hair products with exorbitant prices but one does not need to spend so much to get such essential oils that moisturize and promote hair growth. A lot of products claim to be moisturizing on labels but in reality, they might simply coat your hair to make it softer.

Do you have hair breakage, damaged or dry hair? Are you like me that uses strong shampoos and blow dry or plait every other week? This i discovered has caused more harm than good to my hair. he answer to the above question may be using essential oil as part of your hair care routine. 

Study has shown that the following Oils moisturize and promote hair growth.

Almond Oil - soothes and moisturizes the scalp

Coconut Oil - softens and improves shine

Lavender Oil- controls dandruff and deep conditions

Jojoba Oil - adds nutrients and stimulate the scalp

Cedar wood - promotes hair growth

Geranium Oil- strengthens the hair

Hair Products with natural oil like Olive Oil, Argan Oil, Glycerin Sorbitol or Shea Butter etc.

Shampoos, Conditioners, Gels, Mousse that promote PH balance on their labels. This is because they lock in moisture.

Fatty Alchohol like Cetearyl, Cetyl and Stearyl are also good for hair because they condition the locks.

These oils mentioned above protect hair from heating tools.

Causes of Dry or Damaged Hair

• Dry Scalp - when a hair is not well lubricated it causes dry scalp because the scalp does not have any natural lubrication.
•  Separation and Pulling away of Cuticle layers - Cuticle Layer is a protective layer of the hair.When this cuticle pulls away, it does not hold moisture anymore.
•  Using Harsh Shampoo/over shampooing 
•  Overheated hair tools like straightener or hair dryer damages the protective outer layer of the hair and this results to split ends
• Too much brushing/brushing wet hair snaps the hair
•  Applying alcohol based styling product
• Over processing and chemicals makes hair dull and frizzy
• Exposure of hair to sun or wind
• Lack of essential food and vegetables can starve your body of important nutrients which can lead to hair loss.

Solutions

• Eat essential food and vegetables that can promote hair growth. The essential foods and vegetable include: Leafy vegetables, beans, carrots, fish, nuts etc, Avacados, Olive Oil, Salmonthey contain Omega 3 fats that creates healthy scalp and promote stronger and healthier hair.
• Wash your hair with lukewarm water instead of hot water because hot water strip the protective oils that act as natural conditioner of the hair.
• To avoid split end, do not use very hot tools or high powered blow dryer regularly on your hair or if the damage has been done then use conditioners that contain protein.
• Using oil to treat dandruff is not the best bet as dandruff is caused by a minor skin disorder in the scalp. To achieve result use shamppo made for dandruff and leave it for 5 minutes to allow it to soak into your scalp before rinsing thoroughly.
• Use a brush with ball tipped bristles on dry hair while you use comb on wet hair.
• Do not not tighten your hair at all times because it can damage the root of the hair and cause breakage.
• During bedtime, leave your hair loose if it is braided and give your hair a break after braiding for 3 months.
• Use shampoos and conditioners that best suit your hair (especially conditioners with polymers) as the amount you spent on hair products do not determine how effective those products are.
• You are at risk of damaging your hair if do not avoid extreme hair colour changes
• Use a pick comb on a curled hair
• Rinse your hair before you enter a pool or wear a swim cap to avoid chlorine damage.
• If you already had a damaged hair take a break from styling so that a new growth can come out.
• Apply a heat styling cream when your hair is damp and lower the temperature of your styling tools. Even though heat helps to make a hair sleek and smooth, the blow dryers and curling Irons can cause damage to the hair.
• Endeavour to trim dead ends bi-monthly but more importantly use sharp scissor and get someone to help you trim it.
• For a very dry hair you can use coconut oil on damp hair and leave it for a few minutes then wash it off with a moisturizing shampoo and air dry the hair instead of blow drying to cause less friction.
• Sleep on a silky pillow if you have a short hair or if you have long hair, brush and twist into a loose bun then tuck the ends to your hair tie.
• To get a luscious locks on your hair, mix honey and olive oil of equal part and rub it evenly on your hair, cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes and rise off with moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. This should be done once a week or monthly.
• Do not shampoo on a regular basis
• Use moisture infuse product starting from the root to the end to de-tangle hair before blow drying or tonging.
• Use moisturizing conditioners that contain humectants, emollient or cooling agents (eg) Glycerin, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, Propylene Glycol, Glycerl Stearate.
• Use a mild shampoo,moisturizing conditioner, non-alcoholic hair products and thereafter apply coconut oil to replenish the moisture. 
• Use fatty Alchohol like Cetearyl and Cetyl and Stearyl for your hair because they conditions the locks.
• Avoid oil that has Porp or SD Alchohol 40 in their names.
• To protect your hair from sun, spray a leave-in-conditioner with UV fiter.
• Dry your hair with towel after shampooing.
• Visit the Salon once a month but you can treat your hair at home weekly.
• Finally take note of changes in your hair especially loosing much hair than usual. In such cases see a dermatologist.