Dry or Dull Hair

Dry hair is usually the hair that has not a sufficient amount of natural moisturizer and oil. This can be caused by over-exposure to the sun without protecting the hair, by excessive washing - especially with harsh chemical substances, excessive use of styling products and hot styling methods (blow drier, heat iron), excessive dying of the hair etc.

Hair normally has moisture content of 10%  If your hair's moisture content falls below that level, it can decrease the hair's ability to attract and retain moisture. Furthermore, often times the sebaceous glands at the roots of the hair does not produce enough natural oil. This oil nourishes the hair and makes it healthy looking, too little of the oils can cause dry and dull looking hair.

Whether your dry locks are caused by weather, heat sources, or lack of natural oils; there are ways to remedy dry hair. Shampooing as mentioned above can clean your hair, but can also strip away oils that dry hair needs. Unless, you have an oily scalp, women with dry hair need only shampoo their locks every 2 or 3 days, and less if possible. When shampooing pay special attention to the roots and scalp, avoid rubbing the hair shafts and ends; the rinse will act like a magnet for the shampoo and clean those areas. Always use a mild shampoo specially formulated for dry hair; often times containing Humectants. Use shampoos that offer a low pH; shampoos that are high in pH's or pH balanced shampoos often lift the cuticle allowing moisture to evaporate.

Conditioners are often the key to eliminating dry hair. One key to conditioning dry hair, always towel dry your hair and get rid of as much moisture and water as possible before conditioning. Never skip conditioning hair that is dry. In the winter months, leave conditioners on for at least 3 minutes, and 1-2 minutes in the summer months. With conditioner, unlike shampoo, you're main objective is the roots and ends. It is recommended to comb the conditioner through the hair before rinsing, to ensure adequate coverage of the hair. Use conditioners that contain Humectants.

Another great alternative to traditional conditioners is the use of Mayo. Mayonnaise makes a great conditioner for dry hair; leave on for 5 minutes to an hour before washing it out. When rinsing conditioners out of the hair, rinse with tepid to cool water, this will help the cuticle close and lock, giving maximum, longer lasting benefits. Drying and Styling dry hair is often a big problem, because women are usually in a hurry when drying their hair, they often reach for the blow dryer. If you must use a blow dryer or curling iron, keep it on the lowest setting possible. But if at all possible allow dry hair to dry naturally. And when it comes to styling, go back in time to those sponge rollers or plastic cylinder rollers from years ago.

When using gels or lotions on the hair, look for those made for dry hair with moisturizers. Often times those that have fruit extracts and natural oils like flaxseed and almond oil are great for dry hair. Avoiding environmental culprits like wind, sun, and water with salt or chlorine will help in eliminating dry hair as well. It is advised to wear a scarf or hat when out in the sun or wind. When swimming, use a rubber cap or avoid getting the hair wet. If you know your hair may get wet, apply olive oil to the hair prior to swimming or going to the beach. And when or if the hair does get wet, always wash afterwards with a specially formulated swimmer's shampoo found at drug stores.Make sure you take regular visits to the salon for trims and cuts.

Another great option to revitalizing your dry hair is to get regular trims, at least every 6 weeks. Because it's often the ends that are the driest looking; it's important to have regular haircuts and rid you of those nasty split ends. It is recommended to use as many natural moisturizers, such as natural oils, and nutritious remedies as you can.

Aromatherapy and Alternative Treatments

The jojoba oil is much recommended for regaining the shine and brightness of your hair, as the molecular structure of this oil is almost similar to the one of sebum, the natural hair moisturizer. It can be used as an overnight as well as a daily treatment for the hair.

Other types of natural oils that provide moisture for your hair are: olive, ylang-ylang, almond, avocado, rosemary essential oil, wheat germ oil, emu oil, shea oil and herbal oils such as: nettle oil, plantain oil, burdock oil etc. These are very efficient, as they provide a wide range of nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins vital for the hair and scalp.

You can also mix one of these oils with honey and then apply it as a mask for the hair. You can prepare a very efficient natural tonic for the hair by simply mixing 2 egg yolks and beat the paste until it is foamy. Then massage the entire scalp and hair with it and, when done, rinse it off with warm water. The egg is a very nutritious product, as it is a source of 11 essential nutrients, vitamin A and D.

Mayonnaise is also beneficial for dry hair. Applying tomatoes slices, tomato juice or tomato paste to your hair will enhance the natural PH of the hair due to the vitamin C in these vegetables. Bananas, coffee and chamomile tea will also help your hair shine the natural way.

Besides these natural remedies, be sure to have a balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables that supply our organism with all the nutrients it needs and also try herbal teas that do wonders for our health. And do not forget that hair belongs to the body, just like any other organ, therefore what works for the metabolic system will surely work for our hair, too!

The best essential oils for dry hair are Carrot Seed, Chamomile Roman, Geranium, Lavender, Palmarosa, Parsley Leaf, Rosewood, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang.

RECIPE 1: Dry Hair Shampoo
4 drops Carrot Seed Essential Oil, 4 drops Lavender Essential Oil, 6 drops Palmarosa Essential Oil, 6 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 1 teaspoon Jojoba Carrier Oil, 100ml Shampoo Base.

RECIPE 2: Dry Hair Shampoo
5 drops Geranium Essential Oil, 4 drops Parsley Leaf Essential Oil, 5 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil, 6 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 1 teaspoon Jojoba Carrier Oil, 100ml Shampoo Base.

RECIPE 3: Rinse for Dry Hair
1 cup of water, 1 tsp cider vinegar, 3 drops Sandalwood Essential Oil, 3 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil. Blend the ingredients together and add to the bowl of water you are using as your final rinse.

RECIPE 4: Dry Hair Deep Conditioner
1 drop Carrot Seed oil, 2 drops Geranium Essential Oil, 1 drop Parsley Leaf Essential Oil, 2 drops Ylang Ylang Essential Oil, 2 tablespoons Jojoba Carrier Oil. Mix the ingredients well and massage thoroughly into the hair and scalp. Leave on for two hours or even overnight then shampoo and rinse as usual.

Sandalwood Essential Oil- Amyris Balsamifera (10ml)

Sandalwood is one of the best essential oils to use in the treatment of chronic bronchitis. It is a good oil to use for oily skins and acne and is often liked by teenage boys as it has a masculine scent as well as helping to sooth itches and rashes.

£5.60

Jojoba Carrier Aromatherapy Oil 50ml

Golden colour and the oil which is most rapidly absorbed into the skin and is not sticky. Good for hair care and all skin types and can be used on its own.

£6.00

Carrot Seed Essential Oil - Daucus Carota (10ml)

Use Carrot Seed oil is brilliant for skin care especially more mature skin where wrinkles occur or conditions such as eczema. It can help with digestive problems and accumulation of toxins, gout and arthritis.

£4.75

Chamomile Roman 10% Dilute Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile

A wonderful oil which has so many valuable properties Chamomile would be a great one to always keep in and can be used in skin care, musuclar aches and pains and digestive problems.

£5.00

Chamomile Roman Pure Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile (10ml)

Chamomile is a great oil to use for nervous disorders. It is soothing and calming and can help where a person is irritable or nervous. It can also help with insomnia.

£14.50

Geranium Essential Oil - Pelargonium Graveolens (10ml)

Geranium is lovely floral oil which can help with a wide variety of skin conditions, poor circulation, cellulite and many menopausal problems as well as fluid retention and hormonal in-balance.

£8.50

Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula Abrialis (10ml)

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

£3.30

Palmarosa Essential Oil - Cymbopogon Martini (10ml)

Palmarosa is great in skin care and has antispetic qualities which make it valuable for acne and infection, scars and sores. Palmarosa oil is very active against bacteria responsible for intestinal infections such as Gastroenteritis.

£4.00

Parsley Leaf Essential Oil - Petroselinum Sativum (10ml)

Parsley is always identified with the digestive system and can help with impaired digestion. It is also valuable for cellulite, irregular periods and urinary infections. Try it also for bruising and thread veins.

£9.50

Rosemary Essential Oil - Rosemarinus Officinalis (10ml)

Rosemary is believed to have a refreshing, invigorating affect on the skin and can be used for a variety of skin and hair problems. It is good for stiff and overworked muscles, Steam inhalations with Rosemary can be good for catarrh and sinusitus. Rosemary also has a strong connection with the central nervous system and can help with memory and mental clarity.

£3.50

Rosewood Essential Oil - Aniba Roseasdora (10ml)

Rosewood has an uplifting effect and can help to calm the nerves at times of excessive strain as well as being recommended for people suffering from M.E. glandular fever or other related conditions. Useful for sensitive or mature skin conditions. Rosewood is a special oil which seems to affect the very core of our being and has aphrodisiac qualities.

£5.00

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil - Cananga Adorata (10ml)

Ylang Ylang has a calming and relaxing effect which can be used to break the circle of sexual inadequacy and is closely assoicated with this area. Useful for oily and dry skins and a tonic for the hair. It is good for over rapid heartbeat or breathing and can help with shock.

£5.60