Caring for severely dry, damaged and brittle hair can be a struggle. Constant tangling, breakage and generally unruly hair are some common problems resulting from damaged and dry hair. Add to this the problem of committing some haircare mistakes, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for disaster.
But worry not, we are here to help. We have listed down some simple yet highly effective ways in which you can care for your hair. These will help you nurse those damaged tresses back to health and give them a new lease on life.
What Causes Hair to Get Brittle and Dry Out: The Basics
Dry, brittle hair shouldn’t be taken lightly— it’s something that must be treated. It could be the result of a number of things, right from constant heat styling to medical conditions such as malnutrition, hypothyroidism or a biotin deficiency. If you love colouring your hair or trying out chemical treatments, they can also dry out hair and leave it weak and brittle. Even the usual shampoos can worsen the hair if it has drying chemicals like sulphates and alcohol. Well, let’s take a look at some of the treatments for such causes.
Top Causes for Brittle and Dry Hair
1. Over-styling
When you have brittle hair, it means that your hair already lacks moisture and is in severe need of hydration. Adding heat in the form of your heat styling tools will only end up causing more hair breakage. Therefore, it is best to allow your hair to air-dry and remain as natural as possible for it to heal and regain elasticity.
Instructions on How to Combat It
Brittle hair treatment in such a case involves massaging your strands with natural and ayurvedic oils and herbs. To get the most out of it, just turn to the clinically-approved Indulekha Bringha Ayurvedic Oil which is free of all types of harsh chemicals from sulphates to artificial scents. Instead, it uses hair-strengthening herbs like bringharaj, amla and even coconut oil to nourish your hair from within. Apply it thrice a week and turn your hair strong and glossy in guaranteed four months.
2. Tight hairstyles
If you are not using heat on your hair, the obvious thing most people do is tie their hair in a tight ponytail or bun. But this is a no-no, especially for brittle hair as tight hairstyles pull at not just the roots but also the strands, leading to breakage. Use cute hair accessories such as hats, headbands or even hair clips to style your hair instead of those sky-high ponytails and top knots.
Instructions on How to Combat It
But say it is your best friend’s wedding or a formal event where you need to go all out despite your weak hair. A quick cure is the TRESemmé Keratin Repair Bond Plex Oil Hair Serum. Just add a few drops to your tresses and evenly spread them before styling your hair tying in a tight braid. Not only does this serum give you a salon-like shine, it actually helps repair your hair. This is all thanks to its formula of lightweight but nourishing argan oil and camellia oil that smoothen your hair’s rough texture.
3. Sun damage
Another thing that further damages brittle and dry hair is unprotected sun exposure. Just like your heat styling tools, the heat of the sun can also suck the moisture from your strands leaving them super coarse and brittle, which leads to breakage and hair loss. Avoid being out in the afternoon sun as far as possible, but if you absolutely need to, we suggest you use oral sunscreen and cover your hair with a hat or scarf.
Instructions on How to Combat It
If your hair lacks moisture because of the sun’s harsh rays or even any chemical treatments, a deep conditioning mask once a week should help. This is because masks like the Dove Intense Damage Repair Hair Mask are meant to strengthen your hair and help prevent any damage in the first place. This mask does it all with the help of keratin actives, a natural protein your hair needs to stay healthy and smoother.
Another mask you can try out is the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Deep Smoothing Mask. This too uses keratin along with the moisturising argan oil and marula oil to detangle your hair and add shine and softness. On top of it, it also controls frizz for three days straight while taming any flyaways. Just take a generous amount and apply it to the length of your hair while avoiding the scalp. Let it sit for three to five minutes and then wash it off.
4. Brushing roughly
This is a really important tip for every hair type, but especially for people with weak hair. Avoid brushing your hair when it is wet as it puts a lot of pressure on the already delicate strands. Always use a wide-toothed comb and gently brush out the tangles starting from the bottom and moving upwards.
Instructions on How to Combat It
To make life easier, see that your hair is partially detangled before taking up your comb. This is all possible with gentle and repairing shampoo-conditioner combos like the Dove Intense Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. Like its mask counterpart, it uses keratin and fibre actives to detangle hair, smoothen frizz and leave it clean and nourished. On top of it, it also works on reversing all the damage done by repairing the weak tresses on a cellular level to make them strong.
5. Not conditioning properly
Since brittle tresses lack moisture, it is important to supply them with enough hydration regularly. Simply conditioning your hair after each wash isn’t enough, although it’s extremely important. You will also need to include moisturising hair masks, leave-in conditioners and other hydrating serums to replenish moisture and minimise breakage.
Instructions on How to Combat It
Adding a leave-on conditioner to your hair wash routine can do wonders if your hair is extremely brittle and dry. Since it is allowed more time to sit on your hair, it is absorbed better and works on bringing about some major results. Don’t believe us? Try the Dove Hair Therapy Dry Scalp Care Moisturizing Leave-on Solution, Sulphate Free, No Parabens & Dyes With Niacinamide. It stays true to its name since it is actually free of any harsh and drying chemicals. Instead, it uses niacinamide, a strain of vitamin B to moisturise your hair from within. Just spray this gentle conditioner over your scalp and hair and massage it in for a few minutes. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then continue with your usual hair wash.
FAQs about What Causes Hair to Get Brittle and Dry Out
Q1. Are hormones linked to dry hair?
That can be the case sometimes. Physiological shifts within the body can be caused by birth control pills, menopause as well as pregnancy. These changes cause a hormonal imbalance, which in turn, has adverse effects on your hair. These effects present themselves in different ways, including brittleness and dryness.
Q2. Does food cause hair to get brittle?
A diet that lacks protein and vitamins can result in your hair becoming brittle, dull and dry. If you consume only sugar and bad fats, your hair will not receive the nutrients it needs to grow and fix itself. Poor nutrition doesn’t only make your hair brittle but can also cause it to fall out. For healthy hair, eat foods that are rich in vitamins A, C, D and E.
Q3. What is brittle hair meaning?
Hair that is brittle is basically a combination of frizzy, split-ended, dull, dry, weak and lacklustre hair. Just like dry skin, it presents itself differently, from mild dullness to full-blown hair loss and breakage.
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Written by Lopa K on 24th Apr 2023