Although human hair is made from protein, if your hair feels brittle or has split ends, chances are you have dry hair. Dry hair can come from the general heating of your house, blow dryers, curling irons, straightening irons, dehumidifiers, washing your hair too often, over exposure to the wind or sun, perms, dyes, chlorine or using the wrong type of shampoo for your hair type.
Most external factors can be easy to remedy. Hair is like any other part of your body and needs to be taken care of. You need to take precautions with your hair against the sun and wind by wearing a hat when outdoors. If you swim in chlorinated pools for extended periods, wear a bathing cap. If the product you are using currently is the suspected cause of your dry hair, try a new hair care product.
As you can see, there are a great number of external causes that cause the hair to be dry and the remedy can be easy. However, internal factors can also dry out your hair. These can include cancer treatments, certain medications, unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet (lack of proteins and fatty acids) and prolonged illnesses such as hyperthyroidism or anorexia nervosa.
Hair normally has high moisture content and if the moisture content drops, you will have dry hair. Dry hair is usually caused by the sebaceous gland producing too little oil or too much of the hair's oil is being stripped away. The key is to learn how to replace the lost moisture. You can do this by shopping specifically for shampoos and conditioners that are meant for dry and damaged hair. Purchase an intense conditioner that will replace the moisture quickly. Most of society is obsessed with clean hair which generally means washing it every day, but this dries out hair. You might consider only washing your hair every other day instead to avoid drying it out. Do not overuse electrical gadgets on your hair. Let your hair air dry and limit use of curlers and straighteners. Also, it is a good idea to make sure you get a trim every 4 to 6 weeks in order to get rid of dry or split ends to keep your hair looking its best.
You may want to consider visiting your doctor if your hair does not improve with treatments such as conditioners. He will be able to rule out any health problems that you may not know exist. He may examine your hair and take some blood tests and ask you several questions such as ones about your diet and how long you have been experiencing dry hair.
Exercise and a good night's rest are just as beneficial for your body as it is for your hair. Exercise increases proper blood flow and sleep will improve your health over all. Your hair is your crowning glory and one of the first things that people notice about you. So, naturally you want it to look its very best and with a little care, you can.
