Why do you always have dry hair?

There are different types of hair, depending on their porosity. In the case of dry hair, it can be annoying for the scalp and the maintenance of healthy and beautiful hair.

The main problem with this hair is that it does not receive or retain enough moisture. This reduces shine and can make it appear frizzy and dull. It can affect both men and women of any age, although it is more common to happen over the years towards old age.

All hair has three layers. If your hair is healthy, the natural oils in the outer layer help protect the inner layers. They also reflect light, making your hair look shiny. Shine is an important sign of healthy hair. If the hair is dry, the outer layer is broken, making it appear dull and unhealthy.

Causes of having dry hair

There are a wide variety of factors that can cause hair to dry out, including environmental conditions, hair care, and your physical health. As for the environmental conditions that can cause dryness, they can be living in a dry or hot climate, spending a lot of time in the sun or in the wind or swimming regularly in chlorinated or salty water.

Taking care of your hair is important to reduce dryness. This includes washing your hair too often, using harsh shampoos, conditioners, or styling products, coloring or chemically treating your hair, blow drying your hair, or using electric curlers, straighteners or curlers.

However, it is possible that having this type of hair is due to an underlying health problem that affects the hair’s ability to retain moisture. Some examples can be:

  • Anorexia nervosa . This eating disorder can lead to malnutrition, which can cause dry and brittle hair, along with more serious complications.
  • Hypoparathyroidism If you have hypoparathyroidism, the parathyroid gland in your neck produces too little parathyroid hormone, which lowers the level of calcium in your blood. Calcium is a key nutrient for healthy hair.
  • Hypothyroidism With hypothyroidism, the thyroid glands do not make enough thyroid hormones. Dry and brittle hair is one of the first symptoms of this condition.
  • Menkes syndrome . This is a rare genetic condition, in which the cells do not absorb enough copper. Low copper absorption affects the health of your hair, causing dryness.

How do I know if my hair is dry?

It is possible that episodes of dryness are experienced from time to time. But if your hair is very dry and it does not improve with changes in your hair care routine, it is advisable to make an appointment with a doctor. They may be able to identify the underlying cause or refer you to a dermatologist.

Doctors will ask you a series of questions about symptoms, care, and lifestyle. They will want to know how long you have been with dry hair, how often you wash it, the type of products you use and the diet you eat.

There are also clinics that study the porosity of the scalp and follicles. In some cases, they may request one or more tests. For example, they may order a blood or urine sample to look for signs of certain medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or hypoparathyroidism.

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Can it be prevented?

As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. In the event that it is not due to a health or genetic problem, dry hair can be prevented with proper care. To avoid this, it is essential to understand the contributing factors. This will help you adopt certain lifestyle changes and alter your hair care routine to better suit your hair.

If it is nothing serious, it is not necessary to see a doctor. An expert and professional hairdresser can advise you on hair care. Normally it is recommended to go to the hairdresser at least once every three months for regular cuts which can be of great help to eliminate split ends and give the hair the occasional pampering.

It is also important to wear suitable hair accessories. Avoid tight hairstyles like ponytails and bows tied with plastic or rubber bands. These can be replaced by soft rubber bands with a fabric base to tie the hair. And, of course, food is the basis of everything. So it is recommended to follow a diet rich in protein, antioxidants and Omega-3 fatty acids. Drink plenty of water to keep your hair and skin hydrated.

The best treatments for dry hair

In most cases, dry hair can be treated with simple lifestyle changes. You just have to take into account what your hair uses and what type of products work best for it.

  • Avoid shampooing your hair every day . Daily shampoo can deprive hair of its protective oils and lead to dryness. Instead, try washing your hair once or twice a week. You can also apply hair oils or leave-in conditioners to add shine and smoothness.
  • Put conditioner on your hair every time you wash it. It is recommended to use shampoo and conditioner that are suitable for your hair type. If you don’t know which one to choose, go to a professional for advice. They may recommend sulfate- and paraben-free products.
  • Use hydrating styling products. Currently there are numerous versions of products with proteins among their ingredients to give hair movement and luminosity.
  • Avoid chemical hair treatments. Both dyes and perms or henna applications.
  • Blow-dry your hair less often. And, of course, avoid electric irons, curlers, and rollers.
  • Take care of the hairstyle. Wearing hairstyles very tight to the scalp and for several hours can damage and dry out the hair. This is common in African braids.

It is also important to protect hair from heat and sun exposure. If you live in a dry climate, wear a hat when you go outside and avoid prolonged exposure to dry or windy air. You should protect your hair from chlorine and salt water by wearing a shower cap when swimming in a pool or in the ocean.