Why is My Hair Dry?

My oh my oh my…Naturalistas tend have quite a time with moisture. The numerous people asking the same question that flood my inbox and new clients when they come in for consultation. “Why is my hair so dry?” (Now this may come off a bit harsh but I am not trying to be hurtful, just simply trying to educate you on maintaining healthy hair.) I laugh because so many do it yourselfers ask this question then try to debate a professionally licensed stylist. My thought is always well if you “know it all” then why are you asking me? Apparently what you are doing is not working because if it was you wouldn’t be asking me this question nor would you be following so many different hair care sites seeking help.  So ladies let me help you out, Please don’t take what I say to heart just take heed and understand that I am simply trying to help my beautiful queens with managing their crowns with less stress and frustration.

Keeping your hair moisturized will consist of a few things that you probably won’t see the correlation. Trust as a professional these things all hinder your moisture levels.

Cut see through hair off

1.     Trims – they are vital to keeping your hair soft, pliable, and more manageable. Split ends are the bane of existence to natural hair. They soak up moisture like a dog that’s been out on a cross county walk without water breaks. (heavy panting then lap lap lap lap lap lap lap) Please please please get trims to remove split ends that causing you so much frustration and you don’t even know it. LOL

Buildup on hair appears white/grayish when wet

2.     Product Build up – When you are using too many products all at once you will begin to pile on product in which becomes built up on the shaft of your hair. This build up will deprive your strands from receiving moisture. Think of it like petroleum on the skin or wax on a car, water beads up and is not soaked in. Build up forms a barrier preventing moisture from penetrating the shaft.

Cotton is drying to hair

3.     Cotton Pillowcases / Scarves – yes, these will drain all moisture out of the hair. Just like when you wear cotton t-shirts and you begin to sweat, that the cotton shirt soaks up sweat. Or think about if you use a cotton towel to dry off when you get out of the shower or tub. If you used silk or satin fabric it would take you much longer to dry off.  Cotton is made to pull moisture out of what ever it comes in contact with. So switch out your pillowcases and head scarves with a satin or silk one.

Bad Alcohols

4.     Alcohol – Now you should know what this does. Think about astringents that are used for cleansing the face. How it removes oils deeply imbedded in the skin. Well the same applies for products you use that contain any form of alcohol it will remove oil from your hair causing your hair to dry out. Look at the ingredients list and if alcohol is listed within the top 5-7 components that means the product has a higher percentage within its recipe. Items listed first are the bulk of what the formula consists of.

Color Samples

5.     Color – this one is pretty easy. Color strips hair of natural oils especially when going more than 2 shades lighter.  For those of you who like to bleach your hair well you are most prone to dry brittle tresses. Bleach removes the melanin that gives your crown its natural color and also provides a very subtle amount of moisture. When you remove the melanin you are removing any and all traces of natural oil to your hair, which cause hair to become extremely porous with a very weak elasticity (in other words dry and brittle, easy to break, think pine straw/hay like)

Protein Mask

6.     Protein – too much protein will also cause your lovely tresses to become weak and dry. Hair is made up of a hard protein called keratin. Usually if you press your hair a lot and your curl pattern will change a professional will recommend a protein treatment to restore curl pattern and elasticity. Some of you do it yourself ladies have used natural products such as: eggs, mayonnaise, and yogurt. Applying too many treatments of this or leaving it on too long will cause hair to harden and dry out.

Now that I have answered the age-old question about dry hair, consider yourself well informed and equipped to prevent dry tresses.  It’s best to seek a professional once in a while for recommendations of products that will work best for your hair type and preferred styling regime. If you are unsure of how to select a professional please read my other blog on “How to find a Professional Stylist”.  Remember it is easy to Simply Keep Your Hair healthy when you apply professional advice & tips to your hair care regiment.