The 10 best cares for dry (and brittle) hair

Hair is one of the aesthetic aspects that generates the most headaches. Our hair does not always have the healthy appearance that we would like, since depending on the type we have, it can be damaged by different factors.

One of the most frequent problems has to do with dry hair. When the hair is dehydrated, the ends are split and the mane appears brittle. Dryness is a frequent issue, although it should not be left aside without applying solutions. Dry hair that does not receive its dose of hydration can break and lose its shine, so that the longer it takes to remedy, the more difficult it will be to regain the healthy state of the hair.

Hair dryness can be explained by different factors, although they all have in common that they harm the hair fiber. The most frequent reasons are associated with the use of dyes and bleaches, the sun and the salt of the sea typical of summer, the use of heat devices (hair dryer, irons ...) and the use of products of poor quality or that are not indicated for hair with a tendency to dryness.

A) Yes, the ideal is to use products that are as natural as possible, without chemicals that contribute to further aggravate the problem. In addition to all of the above, there are also other factors that can dry out hair, such as stress, diet, hormonal changes, and age. Specifically, with aging, hair tends to lose density and quality, and gray hair often hinders hair hydration.

• We recommend you read: "Hair loss: 9 causes and ways to avoid hair loss"

How can dry hair be cared for?

The positive of all this is that, by taking early measures, you can bring your hair back to life. In this article we are going to present the best care to prevent dryness of your hair.

1. Avocado

Avocado is a food with a set of nutrients that make it an ideal remedy to combat dryness. Among them are polyunsaturated fatty acids, known colloquially as "good fats." It is also rich in vitamins A and E, which act as powerful antioxidants. In addition, it provides iron, calcium and magnesium.

For the hair to benefit from these properties, just apply the avocado pulp externally. In this way, its nutrients can penetrate through the scalp and thus repair the damage. You can apply just the pulp of the fruit or mix it with a teaspoon of olive oil and an egg to give it a creamier texture. The essential oils of avocado promote hydration, but also help to strengthen the hair and thus prevent hair loss. You can even use avocado as a daily conditioner to make styling easier and provide softness.

• We recommend you read: "4 homemade hair masks (for dry and frizzy hair)"

2. Out chemicals

As we anticipated before, one of the reasons why hair can dry out is related to the products used. When shampoo and conditioner are not based on natural products, it is easy for hair to deteriorate. For this reason, it is recommended that you avoid shampoos with alcohols or sulfates and instead opt for products made with natural ingredients.

3. Honey

Honey is a product with ideal moisturizing properties to prevent hair dryness. Among its components are vitamins B and C, antioxidants, proteins and minerals. In combination with other products, honey can serve as a good hydrating mask. Here we suggest combining it with a little yogurt (using the same amount of both ingredients). Yogurt has lactic acid, a component that contributes to hair growth. Thus, by mixing honey and yogurt you can obtain a very interesting home remedy that will restore hydration to your hair while it is strengthened and its fall is prevented.

4. Argan oil

Argan oil is known for its ability to hydrate, strengthen, repair and revive hair thanks to its omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids. It is also rich in vitamin E and a stimulating substance for the scalp.

Argan oil has the ability to nourish and repair hair from root to tip and provides softness, flexibility, shine and strength to your hair. For this reason, it is important that you always have a small bottle of argan oil on hand. Contrary to popular belief, this oil is not restricted to very dry hair. Those with oily roots and dry ends can also use its benefits, only they should apply it from medium to ends and not all over the hair.

Argan oil is a very versatile product, since it serves both as a product of frequent use (it is recommended to use once a week), and as an exceptional use in order to repair.

5. Use of conditioner

Although this may seem very obvious, the truth is that many people do not use it and, if they do, they use the wrong type of conditioner for their hair type. If you are fighting hair dryness, the ideal is that try to use a conditioner rich in vegetable oils and that has a creamy texture. Those that are more liquid are usually reduced with water, so the ideal is to try to use one rich in concentrated nutritive oils.

• We recommend you read: "How to straighten hair (naturally and at home)"

6. Watch your diet

Hair is undoubtedly a key reflection of the state of health. The diet and the quality of our hair are closely related, so an unbalanced and unhealthy diet can contribute to dry and brittle hair. In this sense, it is important to consume an adequate percentage of healthy fats. Although the consumption of hypocaloric and low-fat foods is very fashionable lately, this is not exactly ideal for your hair. On the contrary, it is recommended to consume an adequate percentage of fats from natural foods, such as butter or avocado.

7. Avoid strappy hairstyles

Yes, there are hairstyles that you love and are very comfortable, like a ponytail or some pretty braids. However, these hairstyles cause great tension that can contribute to damaging the hair. By pulling the hair from its birth, this type of hairstyles favor the breakage of the fibersas well as dryness. For this reason, it is recommended to use these hairstyles occasionally, reserving the most natural and relaxed styles for day to day.

9. Cut your hair

Although this is not the solution to dehydration in itself, it is recommended sanitize the ends of dry hair to promote a healthy-looking mane. This is especially necessary if you have used aggressive products such as dyes, bleaches or straighteners, which tend to damage the hair especially. The usual thing is to cut about 1 centimeter every two months to achieve an optimal appearance.

10. Be careful with the environment

Hair is very sensitive to some environmental factors, so you must be careful with certain environments. For example, excessive exposure to direct sunlight causes hair to lose color, shine, and flexibility. To avoid sun damage to your hair and prevent dehydration, you can use specific sun protection products.

You can also use hats and turbans in the moments of greatest exposure. In summer you must be especially careful with sea water. When you get out of taking a bath, try to rinse yourself with clean water, as this will prevent the saltpeter from penetrating the hair and can dehydrate it. Similarly, indoor heating is the worst enemy of hair with a tendency to dry out, so you can frequently ventilate the rooms and have a humidifier installed that improves the environment. Plants would also be a suitable natural option for this purpose.

Conclusions

In this article we have reviewed a series of suitable remedies to try to control dehydration and maintain healthy hair. Each hair is different, so, first of all, it is essential to know exactly what type of hair we have in order to apply the appropriate measures.

Hair is very important in physical appearance for most people, although paradoxically it is one of the most difficult aesthetic aspects to maintain. As we commented at the beginning of the article, hair can deteriorate for different reasons, some we can solve and others are beyond our control.

We cannot prevent aging from taking a toll on our hair, as it is a natural process due to age-related changes. However, we can try to maintain a balanced and nutritious diet, which provides us with the components we need. We can also try to control stress with strategies such as exercise or relaxation exercises. Of course, we can turn to home remedies and products, but the key to a healthy appearance is a healthy interior.

In short, although we can use some solutions from time to time, there is no doubt that our physical appearance has an important relationship with our internal health. It is important to follow a healthy lifestyle to keep ourselves satisfied inside and out.. In the same way, it is necessary to work on acceptance. That is, opting for styles according to the natural shape of our hair, without mistreating it with chemicals or thermal tools such as irons and dryers.