How to Care for Extremely Dry Hair

My hair has been through the wringer and back this last year. Bleaching, dyeing, straightening, blowdrying on high heat and countless beach trips have left it Sahara dry. I’ve tried just about everything in an attempt to breathe life back into my hair. Here’s my list of what works.

• Shampoo only 2-3 times a week using products specifically made for dry hair. I like using sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners that are packed with ingredients that add nourishment and hydration to hair. If you must get your hair wet, skip the shampooing- just rinse well and go straight to conditioning.

• Be gentle with your hair – dry hair is brittle. Use your finger pads when shampooing, use a wide tooth comb on wet hair and natural bristle brush dry hair. Do not brush your hair more than twice a day.

• Use a conditioning mask on your hair twice a week. I like deep conditioners that have natural oils like argan or macadamia nut oils. Usually, the directions say to leave it on for around 15 minutes. I would rather leave it on as long as possible, sometimes even putting on a shower cap and leaving it on overnight.

• In place of the conditioning mask, you can also use warm olive oil as a deep conditioner. Heat the oil in the microwave for 30 seconds, it should be warm not hot. Apply it all over your damp hair giving special attention to the tips of the hair. Wrap in a warm towel and leave on for as long as you can. Shampoo and condition after.