Why Is My Hair So Dry? 10 Causes And How To Get Rid Of It

Clean and healthy hair gives your personality a new charm, but mostly to achieve a clean hair we wash it so often and vigorously that it becomes brittle. Then when we try to style it, it breaks off and we question ourselves why is my hair so dry all of a sudden?

The answer is very simple. When we wash our locks too often, the shampoo and water strips off our oil and natural luster. Leaving our locks to appear dry and lifeless.

Studies have shown that dry scalp and hair can also be passed down through generations. Yes, some genetics factors can influence the sebum (natural oil) production.

These individuals may have a genetic predisposition for not enough sebum production, which results in dry and brittle hair.

Heat stylers such as curling wand, straightners and blowdryers although gives us our desired look, they strip the natural moisture from our locks. So, the next time you reach for your handy straightener, remember you dry tresses and turn it off to prevent it from further drying.

Instead of using heat, you can also choose sponge rollers or other heatless methods to give your hair a nice makeover.

Like genetics, malnutrition can also play a significant role in your hair health. Scientists, over the years has proven that underlying heath problems such as, anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder can lead to malnutrition. 

This disorder in addition to causing brittle hair, can also bring some more severe complications. So, instead of asking yourself, why is my hair dry and frizzy, try and see a haircare specialist and treat your underlying condition if there is one!

Sometimes, you can do everything right, but still, your hair keeps on losing its velvety texture. And the reason of this might be the quality of water you use on a regular basis.

Hard water leads to breakage breakage and split ends which might hinder proper growth and strength. Thus, if you are someone wondering why is my hair so dry and frizzy, consider washing your hair with soft water to maintain the softness.

Over the years, studies have revealed the importance as well as downside of sunlight exposure. Indeed, sunlight offers vitamin D which is essential for a human body but its overexposure can have adverse effect as well.

Like our skin gets sunburned, the sun can also cause significant damage to your hair. This damage ranges from hair loss and dryness to hair aging and discoloration.

Chemical styling, such as adding vivid hair colors or perming, damages hair strands from within. These treatments break hair and make it so frizzy and brittle that they will disturb you from within.

Hair oils play a key role when in comes to sealing your natural moisture. It helps to keep your locks  soft and supple.

Thus, when we skip hair oiling in general, we are robbing our hair from oil replacements and supplements that forms a protective layer in hair strands. Without this, hair may become brittle and more prone to breakage.

As we discussed earlier, a healthy scalp produces sebum, which moisturizes and provides a smooth texture to the hair. If your scalp is dry and flaky, it produces less sebum, leading to brittle, dry hair. For this reason, maintaining a healthy scalp is necessary.

Environmental factors can play a significant role in causing dry hair by stripping moisture, damaging the hair cuticle, and weakening hair strands. Hence, if you find yourself or your loved ones pondering on why is my natural hair so dry, think of making small adjustments to your hair care routine.

For instance, you can incorporate protective products or change your styling habits to help keep your hair hydrated and resilient.

Although getting rid of dry hair is somewhat tricky, it is not impossible. With some adjustments and tricks, you can regain total control of your hair.

Here are some tips and tricks that might help you get back your velvety, smooth hair-

• Consume Omega-3s and Antioxidants

Mostly, we eat to fulfill our urge and never get enough of nutrients. As a result we have dry skin, damaged hair and weakness. So, if you are someone suffering from dry and damaged hair, try incorporating marine protein, antioxidants, peptides and omega 3s in your diets.

These food items like salmon, oysters, mackerel, tuna, sardines, tomatoes, kidney beans, and walnuts keeps your hair shiny and also keeps your hair from thinning out.

• Trim Split Ends

It's true that cutting your hair is not the ultimate solution, but if you suffer severe damage or split ends, it is best to trim them off. But before you go and choose random salon, try and learn about your hair type and find a barber that can work with your requirements.

• Use Silk Pillowcase

Cotton pillowcases absorbs natural oils and hydration from your hair and skin overnight, making it drier. Unlike cotton, silk keeps your hair’s natural oils intact, helping it retain moisture.

This minimizes split ends, breakage, and frizz, especially if you have dry or textured hair that’s more prone to damage. You can also use a silk wrap or bonnet instead of pillowcases.

• Avoid Alcohol

Using haircare products with alcohol denat or isopropyl alcohol dries your hair. Thus, opt for products that are alcohol free or those with gentler alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which can help retain moisture.

• Protect the Hair While Swimming

While swimming, people need to protect their hair by wearing fitting swimming cap to avoid harsh water. But if you do not have the cap, you can also try wetting and conditioning the hair before swimming to help protect it from chlorine damage.

• Use Essential Oil

Some essential oils, like Moroccan argan oil may help stop hair loss and prevent breakage. This oil has become a popular home remedy for dry hair that is easy to use.

Using just a few drops of argan oil mixed with a carrier oil may give your locks a more finished and supple appearance.

• Take Vitamin Supplements

You need to consume certain types of vitamins in order to keep your hair and overall health in check. Thinking which one could help? Vitamin A, vitamin C, biotin (sometimes called vitamin H), and the mineral iron will all contribute to hair that looks healthier.

Plus there's a simple solution too. If you are not a fan of taking multiple vitamins, try prenatal vitamins, because it contains all of the above mentioned vitamins. People consume them just for the way they affect their hair. 

• Use Products to Suit the Hair Type

Hair products should address your specific needs, whether your locks are curly, straight, fine, or coarse.  Look for moisturizing shampoos and conditioners if you have dry hair, and avoid products with heavy sulfates or silicones that can cause build-up. For curly hair, try curl creams and oils for added moisture; for fine hair, lightweight leave-in conditioners work well.

• Try Coconut Oil

Thanks to its small molecular structure, coconut oil can penetrate deeply into the hair shaft. It provides hydration from within and reducing protein loss that often leads to breakage. When applied, coconut oil coats the hair cuticle, locking in moisture and preventing environmental damage.

This makes it not only a great moisturizer but also an effective treatment for strengthening hair and enhancing its elasticity. For those with dry or frizzy hair, it’s especially beneficial as it smooths and softens, leaving hair more manageable and less prone to split ends.

It is important to avoid certain ingredients in your haircare products to keep your hair healthy and to avoid dryness. We might not be aware but these harmful culprits can create havoc in your locks. Some of the ingredients to avoid while buying products are-

1. Sulfate:

It removes dirt and oil but also strip natural oils and moisture, especially in dry hair.

2. Alcohols:

Avoid short chain alcohols like sopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, and ethanol can dry out hair quickly, making it frizzy and brittle by evaporating natural oils.

Instead, look for products with fatty alcohols like cetyl, stearyl, or cetearyl alcohol, which are hydrating and help retain moisture.

3. Silicones:

Silicones like dimethicone, cyclomethicone, and amodimethicone provide shine and smoothness, but they can build up on hair, creating a barrier that blocks moisture. Go for silicone-free products, or choose water-soluble silicones if you need some frizz control without the heavy build-up.

4. Parabens:

Methylparaben and propylparaben are parabens that leads to dry hair and scalp. so, it is best to avoid it.

5. Artificial Fragrances and Dyes:

Go for fragrance-free or naturally fragranced products with essential oils for a gentler option.

6. Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives:

Ingredients like DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, and imidazolidinyl urea slowly release formaldehyde, which can irritate the scalp and dry out hair. So, avoid it.

7. Synthetic Wax and Heavy Oils:

Always stay away from heavy waxes and oils like mineral oil, petrolatum, and beeswax, because it can weigh hair down and create build-up. but, choose products with light weight, natural oils like argan, jojoba, or grapeseed oil for moisture without heavy residue. 

With the help of above mentioned causes and remedies, it will be easier for you to understand your hair and work to make it healthier again.