Why Your Hair Is As Dry As A Bone (And What To Do About It)

Dry hair is something that we all have from time to time. But for some people, it can be quite intractable. What’s more, once it starts, it can be difficult to get rid of. You wind up with wiry, straw-like hair that lasts a lifetime. 

Dry hair typically occurs when the hair follicles themselves don’t retain enough moisture. Hair dries out from the inside and begins to look more and more desiccated over time. 

It most commonly occurs in people who are a little older. The outer layer of the hair begins to lose integrity, causing each strand to lose some of its shininess and luster. When the outer layer breaks down, that’s what makes hair look limp and lifeless. 

There are many causes of dry hair. One is living in a dry, hot climate. These conditions can wind up causing hair to dry out, particularly if your skin tone is lighter. 

The same happens if you spend a lot of time in the sun or wind. Being outside in these conditions can actually damage the hair over time, causing it to expose the brittle inner layers of the hair. 

There are many other reasons too, including washing your hair too much, drying or using chemicals on your hair, or using electric curlers and straighteners. Fundamentally, each of these is doing the same thing: damaging the outer layers of the hair, exposing the brittle inner core. 

There are a host of medical conditions too that can lead to hair problems. For instance, people living with anorexia can develop dry and brittle hair. This occurs because of lack of nutrition. Hair doesn’t have the resources it needs to grow thick and strong. 

It can also happen because of a condition called hypothyroidism. If the thyroid doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormones, it disturbs the balance in the body. This process has a knock-on effect on the hair follicles and their growth pattern. 

The good news is that there are all sorts of remedies for dry hair. You don’t have to just put up with it. Here are some of the things that you can try: 

Use Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one of nature’s most powerful moisturizers. Being a saturated fat, it offers moisturization properties that you simply can’t get from many other plant oils. 

Coconut oil acts as an emollient. It is able to get in between the gaps in your hair caused by drying action by the sun, and penetrate the fibers. Once it does this, the hair begins to take on a more supple character and looks less dry from the outside. 

Applying coconut oil to your hair requires a special technique. Begin by making sure that the oil is at room temperature and that your hair is dry. 

Next, rub the coconut oil between your hands. As you rub it, you’ll notice that it begins to become more liquid. Once your hands are covered in a thin film of it, start applying it to your hair. Focus on the most damaged and brittle sections: usually the ends. Smooth it outward from the crown over the roots of your hair. Then leave it in for around 20 minutes. 

You can leave it in for longer, but it will make your hair look greasy. What’s more, if you leave it in for too long, it’ll begin to attract dust and grime from the environment. 

Wash it out by rising thoroughly. This should get rid of the majority of the oil while leaving a small amount to continue nourishing your hair. 

Wear A Hat More Often

UV rays from the sun don’t just hurt your skin, they also damage your hair. High energy beams of light break down the structures that form the hair’s outer casing, leaving it looking weak, dry and brittle. 

The solution for this one is simple: wear a hat if you’re outdoors on a sunny day. Get a hat that wraps around your head and prevents sun rays from shining on your face, neck and back. 

If you already experienced sun damage, try putting some aloe on your hair. In some cases, this substance can lessen the damage. 

To avoid dry hair in the future, allow it to grow out over the winter and then cut it back, once the new season comes around. 

Take Cold Showers

Taking cold showers isn’t much fun. They’re seriously unpleasant. However, they may actually help to protect your hair. 

Hair tends to be relatively stable when exposed to low water temperatures. Problems typically arise during hot showers when the combination of steam and water degrade the proteins that make up the hair. 

The water doesn’t have to be super cold (although that may provide other health benefits). You just need it to be below around 30 C. Lukewarm is actually okay. 

Alternatively, you can shower at the normal temperature and then, at the end, rinse your hair in colder water. You could also take a warm bath and then use the shower attachment to rinse your hair with colder water. 

Protect Your Hair When Styling

Many people want to know how to get silky soft hair without giving up heat styling. The answer is actually simple: use products that protect your hair.

Heat styling is extremely effective. However, the heat from irons and tongs damages the outer layer of the hair, just like hot showers. 

There are products, though, that effectively insulate the hair and keep it nourished, even when subject to high heat. Use these generously if you plan on styling your hair often. 

Wrap Your Hair

You don’t necessarily need to dry your hair with a blowdryer. You can wrap it instead. 

While blow-drying allows you to get out of the house quickly in the morning, it is also potentially damaging for your hair. The heat from the dryer is like hot weather, but even more damaging. In fact, you may notice that your hair begins to feel dry and brittle after just a few blow drying sessions. 

To avoid this, you can wrap your hair in a towel. Do this until it is almost dry and then expose it to the air. 

Don’t Wash Your Hair Every Day

In the West, we’re keen on the idea that we should wash our hair every day. But that’s not actually a good idea. Regular washing strips the hair of its moisture and, eventually, exposes it to damage.

The key here is to get the right balance. Many people produce a lot of sebum which makes the hair appear greasy after a couple of days. Others don’t produce enough, which makes their hair look dry and brittle.

Washing your hair only when it looks greasy is a good rule of thumb. If it’s not greasy, then leave it. 

Add Foods Rich In Phytonutrients To Your Diet

Eating a diet of pasta, white rice and meat isn’t ideal for keeping hair in good condition. In fact, approaches like this can make your locks look dry, particularly by the time you reach your mid-thirties. 

To keep your hair looking bouncy, you’ll want to eat foods that support hair follicle growth. Kidney beans, broccoli, walnuts and tomatoes are all good options. Some medical establishments also recommend canola oil because of the unique compounds that it contains. 

Get Your Vitamins

Your hair might also be dry because you’re not consuming enough vitamins and minerals. While getting all of them is important, some are more critical for hair than others. For instance, biotin, vitamin C and vitamin A all help the hair look healthier. Also, getting enough iron will support your hair growth. 

Cut It Back

Sometimes the damage at the end of your hair strands is too great to do much about. In these cases, it is often better to simply cut it back and then start again. 

When you do this, you’ll notice that your hair immediately feels softer. That’s because you’re left with more strands closer to the root. You can then use the advice given above to prevent further damage in the future. 

Eat More Food

Naturally, if you’re not eating enough food or severely restricting calories, this will lead to hair with poor luster. Your body simply isn’t getting the nutrients that it needs to build it properly. 

When eating, ensure that you’re getting enough calories from a wide range of food groups. Eat plenty of veggies, beans, fruits, seeds, nuts, and wholegrains. Make sure that you take a vitamin and mineral pill to top up your reserves if you’ve been eating less than you should. 

Try A New Styling Routine

Lastly, you might want to try a new styling routine that makes your hair less prone to damage. For instance, you could keep your hair shorter or protect it in a covered bun for days when you go outside. You can also refrain from pulling it back too tight or using excessive chemicals on it. 

So there you have it: some of the reasons why your hair is as dry as a bone and what you can do about it. Which of these tips will you try?