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Dry or Dull HairDry 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. 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
RECIPE 3: Rinse for Dry Hair
RECIPE 4: Dry Hair Deep Conditioner
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