Is your hair dry, rough and breaks easily? Whether your hair is naturally dry or damaged by habits and grooming, there are steps you can try to restore moisture and shine to your hair in no time. Changing the way you shampoo and style your hair, use conditioner, and get into the habit of living a healthy lifestyle are all powerful ways to improve the condition of your hair.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Changing Your Hair Care Routine
Step 1. Reduce the frequency of shampooing
Many people make the mistake of washing their hair every day. This habit will remove the natural oils that protect hair from drying out. Although it is necessary to maintain the health and freshness of your hair, try to reduce the frequency of shampooing to once or twice a week. Within a few weeks, your hair will look and feel softer and stronger.
- If you usually shampoo more often, your scalp may take a few weeks to adjust. During the first few weeks, your scalp may produce excess oil. However, after a while, your body will eventually get used to this new routine, and its oil production will decrease between washes.
- To make your hair appear thicker between washes, try using a dry shampoo. This shampoo is a mixture of powder (such as cornstarch or baby powder) and essential oils. While it won't clean your hair, dry shampoo can absorb oil and leave your hair smelling good, making it look like you've just shampooed.
Step 2. Reduce the amount of shampoo each time you wash your hair
Do you often pour a lot of shampoo to clean your hair? In fact, according to the length of your hair, the amount of shampoo needed is no more than the size of a coin. Too much shampoo will damage your hair, as it removes the natural oils that make hair soft and shiny, and prevents it from drying out.
- A guide to the amount of shampoo you can follow is if your hair feels "crunchy," there's already too much of it. When your hair is dry, the texture will feel drier than it should be.
- To avoid using too much shampoo, thoroughly wet your hair before pouring it in. Rub the shampoo from the roots to the tips of your hair with your palms.
Step 3. Let the hair dry on its own as often as possible
A hairdryer will make your hair dry, brittle and frizzy. If used too often, as a result, the hair will easily branch out and look dull. While you may be tempted to use a hairdryer, try to let your hair dry on its own at least five days a week. If you can hold yourself back a little longer without a hairdryer, even better.
- Choose a low, medium, or cold setting instead of hot or high.
- To let your hair dry on its own, gently pat it dry with a towel. Don't rub the towel too vigorously until your hair is dry, or your hair will tangle. Comb your hair with a wide-tooth comb, and apply hair oil or styling cream if you like.
Step 4. Avoid destructive styling techniques
Avoid curling irons, straighteners, and other appliances that heat your hair. Styling your hair using a heater on a regular basis will cause your hair to dry out, break and split. Preserve the natural texture of your hair, rather than styling it with a heater.
- If you want to curl or straighten your hair for a special occasion, be sure to apply a heat protectant first. Never use a heater on unprotected hair.
- Try hair styling techniques without using heat. For example, you can make your hair look beautiful by curling it with bobby pins or a t-shirt.
Step 5. Stay away from damaging hair treatments
Coloring, bleaching, straightening, and chemically perming your hair will dry it out. Hair that has been damaged by treatment is difficult to restore. In most cases, you will need to provide the best possible care until your hair grows back healthy and strong.
- If you like coloring your hair, try using henna. Henna dye is a natural ingredient to replace chemical dyes. Henna will not make your hair dry and damaged.
- If you want to lighten your hair color, use a honey or chamomile treatment. Don't use lemon juice to lighten your hair, as it can dry it out.
- Curly treatments and tight braids, as well as hair extensions can also cause damage.
Method 2 of 3: Using Conditioner
Step 1. Use a suitable conditioner after shampooing
Dry hair is more prone to breakage and frizz. Every time you wash your hair, use conditioner to protect your hair from damage. Conditioner will also make your hair look soft and shiny.
- Pour in a coin-sized amount of conditioner and massage it from the roots to the tips of your hair. Rinse until clean.
- Look for a conditioner intended for dry and damaged hair. These conditioners contain extra moisture to restore your hair's natural moisture.
Step 2. Use a homemade mask
Just as face masks can nourish the skin, hair masks can restore moisture and shine to your hair. Hair masks are used in the shower after wetting the hair. Leave the mask on for 5 minutes, then continue shampooing as usual. Here are some nourishing mask options for you to try:
- 1 beaten egg
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon aloe vera
- 2 tablespoons of yogurt
Step 3. Do a deep conditioner treatment
If your hair is dry and brittle, do a deep conditioning treatment with oil. The oil will seep into each strand of hair and restore its shine and shine. Massage 1-2 tablespoons of the oil of your choice into your hair. Put on a shower cap and leave it on for at least an hour or overnight. Shampoo as usual, and rinse until your hair no longer feels greasy to the touch. Here are some oil options that you can try:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Jojoba oil
- Almond oil
Step 4. Apply the oil to dry hair
After shampooing and drying your hair, use hair oil to add shine. Hair oil acts as a leave-in conditioner, protecting and beautifying your hair all day long. This oil can also prevent frizz and unruly hair. Apply a small amount to coat the ends of your hair and improve their texture. You can buy a hair oil blend or try one of the following oils:
- Coconut oil
- Argan oil
- Jojoba oil
- Grapeseed oil
Step 5. Use a boar hair brush
This brush is a special tool made from natural fibers that resemble the texture of human hair. This brush is designed to lift the scalp's natural oil (sebum) from the roots and spread it along the length of the hair strands. Thus, the protective benefits of this natural oil are evenly distributed throughout the hair. Use this brush when your hair feels dry.
- Choose a hair brush made of natural fibers. Do not use a plastic or metal hairbrush.
- Brush your hair in sections, using long strokes from roots to ends.
- The best time to brush your hair is about an hour before shampooing.
Method 3 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Use natural hair care products
The ingredients in shampoo, conditioner, and other hair care products can damage your hair. Even if the product claims to repair damaged hair, the damage may outweigh the benefits. To make sure you don't damage your hair, consider buying hair care products from a natural products store instead of a chain pharmacy.
- You can also save at the same time by making your own hair care products. Try making shampoo, conditioner, and hair gel at home.
- Avoid products that contain sulfates, silicones, or alcohol. These ingredients are harsh on your hair.
Step 2. Meet the body's fluid needs
Drink enough water to keep your hair and skin healthy and moisturized. The general guideline is to drink water whenever you feel thirsty. Instead of drinking coffee or soda, drink the water that is most beneficial to your health.
- Carry a water bottle with you throughout the day so you can drink whenever you feel thirsty.
- If you don't like drinking water, try drinking herbal iced tea or another sugar- and caffeine-free drink.
Step 3. Eat nutritious food
Your diet has a big impact on hair health. If you are deficient in a certain vitamin or nutrient, your hair is one of the first parts to show it. In order for hair to grow healthy and shiny, make sure your diet contains lots of the following nutrients:
- Protein, such as low-fat meats, nuts, and dairy products.
- Omega 3 fatty acids, which are found in salmon, sardines, flax seeds and other animal products.
- B vitamins contained in meat and other animal products.
- If you are vegetarian, consider taking supplements so that all the nutrients you need are met.
Step 4. Protect hair from environmental influences
The sun, chemicals in swimming pools, and air pollution can damage your hair. Protecting your hair from environmental influences like this can have a big impact on restoring the health of your hair. Take the following precautions to protect your hair:
- Wear a hat while spending time in the hot sun.
- Wear a swim cap when in the pool.
- If the air pollution in the area where you live is quite high, wear a hat or style your hair for more protection (eg with a braid).
Step 5. Trim the ends of your hair regularly
As your habits change, your hair will grow healthy and shiny. It may take some time for the difference to be felt, especially if your hair is already heavily damaged. Trimming the ends of your hair regularly is a way to get rid of old, dry hair, allowing you to feel the growth.
