Extremely dry hair is a troublesome condition that can be difficult to remedy. If you’re trying to grow your hair out, dry and brittle hair is frustrating because it may seem like you are continuously dealing with frizzy hair that won’t cooperate, or with split ends. Whether it is due to over-processing with chemical treatments or heated styling appliances, you can treat extremely dry hair and nurture your hair back to health.
Frequent Trims
Dry, brittle and damaged hair requires regular trims in order to help it grow faster and become more healthy. If your hair has been chemically treated or colored, it will require more frequent trims in order to remove dead or split ends and to cut off the damaged, dry parts of the hair. Cosmopolitan.com spoke to Laurent Dufourg, owner of Privé Salons, with locations in New York City and Los Angeles, who recommends getting trims at least every five weeks for those who want to grow out dry, damaged hair. Without regular trims, split ends will continue to split up the hair shaft until the hair eventually breaks off. Keeping hair healthy and free of split ends will prevent further breakage and will help your hair grow longer and become more healthy.
Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatments
Using a weekly conditioning treatment is vital for those who have extremely dry hair. You can make your own conditioning hair mask by mashing an avocado and half a banana together. Wet your hair, and apply this mixture. If you prefer, you can also buy a commercially prepared intensive hair mask or hair treatment. Leave the treatment on for at least 20 minutes, or as directed on the package. Covering your head with plastic wrap or a shower cap will help your hair to better absorb the nutrients. Washing with a moisturizing shampoo and using a conditioner formulated for very dry hair will help you get the best results.
Avoid Heated Styling Appliances
Heated appliances, such as hair dryers and straightening or curling irons, cause further damage to hair that is already dry and damaged. Heated appliances can also cause more split ends, especially if you use a flat or curling iron, because people generally employ a lot of pressure when using these types of appliances. In Paula Woods’s book, “Hair and Hairstyling,” avoiding heated appliances is recommended; if you must use a blow dryer, allow your hair to dry naturally for as long as possible, because wet hair is weaker and can break more easily. Avoiding heated styling appliances will help your hair to heal quicker and to retain more moisture, so eliminating these products from your styling routine will help extremely dry hair to grow out faster and become healthier.
Rosemary Oil
Rosemary essential oil is commonly used to promote hair growth and to condition hair. It is also thought to decrease hair loss and stimulate the scalp. Depending on the length of your hair, using a teaspoon to a tablespoon of rosemary oil and leaving it on dry hair for up to 30 minutes before shampooing can leave hair feeling conditioned and less dry and brittle.
