A ‘bad hair day’ inevitably turns out to be one of the most nightmarish experiences for the victim. One of the leading causes behind this problem is excessive dryness of hair. Putting up with unmanageable, frizzy hair on a daily basis seems to be a never-ending struggle, but fortunately there are a number of fabulous home remedies for getting rid of this menace.
Dry, frizzy hair requires immediate attention, as it strongly indicates that the moisture content of your hair is pretty low. Quite often, the scalp does not manufacture enough oil for moisturizing the hair. Both the genders are equally susceptible to this condition, at any point of time in their lives. Dry, damaged hair can also be attributed to nutritional deficiencies or certain types of illnesses.
What are the major causes responsible for dryness of hair?
A number of reasons might lead to dry, damaged hair in the long run:
- Excessive washing with harsh, chemical-based products
- Heredity
- Hypothyroidism
- Dehydration
- Hot and dry climatic conditions
- Excessive use of styling products
- Cuticle damage
- Improper nutrition
- Too much exposure to hair-dyes and other chemical treatments
- Overuse of blow dryers
- Faulty detangling efforts
- Frequent exposure to chlorinated water while swimming
What are the visible symptoms of dry hair?
Here are some of the most common symptoms of extremely dry hair:
- Split ends
- Dull hair
- Brittle and unmanageable tresses
- Rough hair, lacking in luster
- Itchiness of scalp
- Tangled hair
- Easy breakage due to reduced elasticity
A list of simple home remedies for getting rid of dry damaged hair
Trying out these natural dry hair remedies at home can take care of your frizzy hair and leave it feeling soft and smooth:
1. Avocado
Due to its high vitamin E content, avocado is highly effective when it comes to taming frizzy hair. Mash a ripe avocado and mix it with two teaspoons of olive oil, along with 3-4 drops of vanilla extract (for fragrance). Apply this mixture evenly throughout your unruly hair and let it remain for about half an hour. Rinse with cold water.
2. Yogurt
Being an excellent natural conditioner, yogurt can perform wonders for extremely dry hair. Massage plain yogurt onto your scalp and allow it to be absorbed for about 30 minutes. Use lukewarm water for washing your hair. Yogurt makes your hair a lot more manageable with its moisturizing properties.
3. Banana
Packed with carbs, vitamins, natural oils, iron, potassium and anti-oxidants, banana happens to be one of the best natural dry hair remedies, and also leads to a remarkable improvement regarding the elasticity of your hair. Mash a ripe banana into a smooth consistency and blend with one tablespoon each of olive oil and honey. Apply all over your scalp and hair. Wait for about 45 minutes before washing off.
4. Aloe Vera
Apart from being a natural conditioner, Aloe Vera possesses powerful anti-inflammatory properties. It cures damaged hair with deep conditioning, restores the PH balance of the scalp, alleviates itchiness and promotes growth. Mix four tablespoons of fresh Aloe Vera gel with two tablespoons each of castor oil and yogurt. Massage this paste onto your scalp and hair. Rinse with cold water after an hour.
5. Eggs
Egg white as well as yolk can be a fantastic homemade treatment for dry, lifeless hair. Egg white contains bacteria killing enzymes, while the protein rich yolk serves as a natural moisturizer and provides deep conditioning. Whisk two eggs in half a cup of yoghurt. Combine this mixture with a tablespoon of almond oil or olive oil to form a thick, creamy paste. Massage onto your scalp and hair, and cover with a towel. After 30 minutes, rinse off with lukewarm water.
6. Beer
Replete with essential hair nutrients and minerals, beer is a great conditioner and helps in dealing with frizzy hair. Spraying beer all over freshly washed hair and leaving it on for some time before washing, adds a lovely shine! For this same silky feel, you can also apply a mixture of equal quantities of beer and conditioner, and brush your hair. Wash off with cold water after a few minutes.
7. Castor/almond/olive oil
Almond, olive and castor oils are equally potent when it comes to dealing with extremely dry hair. Before shampooing your hair, mix equal quantities of olive, almond and castor oils, and gently massage onto your scalp using your fingertips. Soak a towel in hot water, drain completely and cover your head with it. Wash your hair thoroughly after allowing it to remain for 45-60 minutes.
8. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is undoubtedly one of the most effective home remedies for getting rid of dry, unmanageable hair. Loaded with acetic acid and potassium, apple cider vinegar instantly repairs frizz and provides dull hair with new life. Combine equal proportions of this vinegar and water, and apply on your freshly shampooed hair. Let it remain for about 15 minutes before rinsing off with cold water.
9. Pumpkin
Rich in vitamin-A along with moisturizing properties, pumpkin can easily fetch relief from the woes of dry, damaged hair. Boil sliced pumpkin for about 20 minutes and mash it into a paste. Blend with a tablespoon each of yogurt and honey. Apply on your hair and leave it on for 20 minutes before washing off with a mild shampoo.
10. Fenugreek seeds
Managing rough, dry hair becomes much easier with the natural conditioning elements of fenugreek paste. Take 50gm of fenugreek seeds and let it soak it water overnight. Crush into a smooth paste and mix well with a few drops of olive oil, along with a tablespoon of honey. Apply all over your scalp and hair, and rinse off after 45 minutes.
11. Tea tree oil
Due to its strong antimicrobial and natural conditioning properties, tea tree oil is one of the most recommended home remedies for getting rid of damaged, dry hair. Adding a few drops of this essential oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner can be of great help.
12. Mayonnaise
Packed with the richness of oils and egg protein, mayonnaise is certainly one of the best dry hair remedies that can gift you with soft, shiny tresses. Massage your scalp and hair with half a cup of mayonnaise and cover with a shower cap. Wash off with lukewarm water after 30 minutes.
13. Coconut
Coconut has always been an extremely popular homemade treatment for dry, damaged hair. Massaging your hair with coconut oil promotes lustrous and voluminous hair by penetrating into the follicles and providing deep nourishment. It also prevents hair loss and split ends.
Coconut milk is highly effective in treating frizzy hair. Extract two tablespoons of coconut milk from shredded coconut flesh (or you can even purchase from the market) and warm it in a small vessel. Apply all over your hair and keep it covered with a towel. Let it remain overnight. Wash off with a mild shampoo in the morning.
14. Honey & lemon
The powerful moisturizing properties of honey along with the high vitamin-C content of lemon, act as a superb combination for restoring the health of damaged hair. Mix two tablespoons of honey with fresh lemon juice diluted in water. Coat your freshly washed tresses with this solution. Let it remain for 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with lukewarm water.
15. Carbonated water
On account of its low PH index, carbonated water can be an excellent homemade treatment for fighting frizz. Rinse your freshly shampooed hair with carbonated water (such as soda water). Repeat this on a regular basis for a positive outcome.
Keep damaged hair at bay with the following precautions
Since prevention is always better than cure, it is highly recommended that you adopt a number of precautionary measures for steering clear of frizzy hair and other evident signs of damage:
- Opt for mild herbal shampoos
- Avoid blow drying too often
- Stay away from alcohol-based hair products
- Keep your hair trimmed on a regular basis
- Oil your scalp at least once a week
- Apply a conditioner after every wash
- If possible, replace your cotton pillow with a silk/satin one
- Stick to a balanced diet
- Ensure that you remain well-hydrated at all times
Seek immediate medical attention if the dryness persists, along with internal weakness, fatigue, and an alarming rate of hair loss.