If your hair snaps off easily in your comb or your tresses have a texture like straw, then you may have dry hair. The causes of a dry hair problem range from hormonal activity to hair care practices. Although dry hair may be alleviated with a change of diet in some cases, other cases may require a physician’s attention.
Hormones
Hormones called androgens influence the sebaceous glands’ ability to secrete sebum, the oily substance that lubricates hair. Once the sebaceous glands have been triggered by the hormones, cells inside the glands disintegrate and release the oil. Oral contraceptives that contain an oestrogen and an antiandrogenic progesterone may reduce sebum production, reports New Zealand Dermatological Society’s DermNet. A decreased level of androgens can result from the aging process. Dry hair may be related to an underlying condition such as hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland produces insufficient amounts of hormones.
Diet
You may not be getting the vitamins and minerals that contribute to soft, supple hair. University of Maryland Medical Center’s website reports one sign of vitamin C deficiency is dry and splitting hair. Dry hair may also indicate your body needs more essential fatty acids such as omega-3, as cited by a Food and Behaviour Research fact sheet. In the book “Nutraceuticals: The Complete Encyclopedia of Supplements, Herbs, Vitamins, and Healing Foods,” the authors write that zinc deficiency leads to dull, lifeless-looking hair.
Structure
In her book “Plaited Glory,” Lonnie Brittenum Bonner suggests if the hair shaft is tightly coiled, oil doesn’t reach the ends of the hair without brushing or adding lubricants to the hair. Because the body relies on water to aid cell structure and function, drinking inadequate amounts of water can aggravate dry hair problems.
Chemicals
According to Kidshealth.org, the scales of the outer layer, or cuticle, form a protective layer for the inner cells of hair. If you receive hair dye or bleaching treatments in which chemicals such as ammonia have been used to open the protective cuticle layer, then you may find your hair is becoming increasingly dry. The chemical ammonium lauryl sulfate, a detergent found in shampoos, allows you to rinse away your hair’s natural oil as well as dirt.
