Why is My Hair so Dry?

March 30, 2021

Many people suffer from dry hair. If you’ve been wondering why your hair is so dry, we share signs and symptoms, common causes, and how to get your hair back to its best. 

What Does it Mean to Have Dry Hair?

Dry hair can cause your locks to look dull, and can ultimately lead to breakage - something none of us want. When hair becomes dry, it means that it’s either not receiving enough moisture or it is struggling to retain the right amount. The reason behind this can be down to a number of factors, from simply not drinking enough water, to clarifying your hair too often.

Our guide to dry hair will walk you through what may be causing your hair to lack moisture, as well as what you can do to repair your tresses.

Common Signs of Dry Hair 

There are many signs and symptoms that are typical of dry hair. Whether you have only just noticed dryness or you are fed up of lacklustre locks, you could be experience one or several of the following:  

• Hair appears lifeless and dull
• Loss of shine
• Split ends
• Frizz
• Strands become brittle
• Prone to hair breakage
• Hair tangles more easily

For those suffering with these symptoms, it is more than likely you have dry hair. Understanding why your hair is so dry is an important step in tackling the problem head on.

Why is My Curly Hair so Dry?

Genetics also play the biggest role in how prone we are to dry hair. Curly hair types are more likely to suffer from dry hair inherently dry due to the structure of their strands. The twists and turns in curly hair and coily hair make it more difficult for the natural oils to move down the hair shaft. The curlier the hair, the drier it can be. This makes these types more susceptible to dry hair. It’s especially important to hydrate and lock in moisture to prevent this from happening. It’s fundamental to keep these hair types hydrated in order to supply the natural moisture they are lacking.

Wavy hair has a looser curl pattern, and so they oils can coat the strands more easily. However, this doesn’t mean that waves are completely safe from dryness. Regardless of curl pattern, a focus on supplying your tresses with the right levels of moisture is a crucial step to happy, healthy hair. 

What Causes Hair to Become Dry?

Our daily life and routines can have a significant impact on the health of your hair. This, alongside your genetics, can cause your hair to feel dry and you may start to wonder why that is. Some of the more common causes include:

• Using harsh products, such as shampoos that contain sulfates can strip the hair of its natural oils. 
• How often you wash your hair can be a contributing cause to dry hair. Washing your hair too often may result in vital oils not reaching parts of the hair shaft in between cleanses. 
• Frequent use of heat tools weakens the hair bonds and shaft, meaning moisture can leave far more easily.
• Over use of chemicals, including bleach, dye, and relaxers can also damage the hair, making it more prone to moisture loss.
• The weather can also have an impact on how dry your hair is. Cold weather can cause the hair’s cuticles to lift every so slightly, allowing moisture to leave the strands more easily.
• Hair porosity also plays a part. Those with low porosity hair have tightly packed cuticles, making it difficult for hydration to enter the strands. This can leave the hair feeling dry. On the other hand, high porosity hair has a more open cuticle structure, so whilst moisture can enter easily, it will leave at just the same rate. Making this hair type constantly thirsty.
• Hair that’s in protein overload will often feel dry. This is because it is lacking in moisture due to the high levels of protein.

On a daily basis we expose our tresses to so much. Whether your dry hair is the result of one singular cause or a combination of, minor routine alterations could help restore your locks back to full health. 

How to Moisturise Dry Hair

If experiencing dry hair, don’t worry, there are simple steps you can take to restore your hair to its former glory. 

• Cut down on washes - If you’re washing your hair frequently, or even daily, you may wish to trial going longer between washes. This is because how often you wash your hair can impact dryness and you need to allow time for oils to move through your lengths.

• Check ingredients - Products have a big impact on your tresses. Using gentle products, such as sulfate free shampoo that do not strip the hair of its oils can help to reduce dryness. 

• Focus on hydration - Rather than harsh shampoos, try switching to a co-wash. This is a conditioner with a small amount of cleansing ingredients that help to melt away build-up, whilst hydrating the hair.

• Give you hair a treat - Moisture will always be the key to combating dry hair. A deep conditioner is vital for providing hair with an intense moisture boost. With our moisture range you can give your hair hydration it deserves.

• Hydrate hair between washes - A leave-in conditioner can provide needed moisture and bring your curls back to life without a wash.

• Lock in moisture - An occlusive like coconut oil on your hair can help seal in moisture. Our Oil-in-Cream is a standout solution. 

• Use heat tools less often - Straighteners and curlers can cause damage. Leaving them and embracing your gorgeous natural texture can help you better protect your hair.

• Skip the bleach session - Experimenting with different hair colors is fun. But bleach and dye use can cause hair to dry out. Our hair makeup is one way to combat this and our temporary hair color is designed so you can experiment, damage free!

All good things take time, so when trying these tips give them time to work their magic. Your healthy hair journey starts now! 

What’s so Special About Curlsmith?

Our gourmet haircare products were designed in collaboration with curly hair stylists and trichologists to combat curly problems! With our moisture range, scalp range, and strength range, your hair will never have looked better! We’re proud to say our range is vegan and cruelty free. Formulated with organic ingredients and kitchen cupboard staples, our products are perfect for those with all curl types.

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