How to Deal With Dry Hair

Last Updated: December 7, 2022 References

You wake up and walk sleepily over to the mirror, yawn, and then — shock! Frizzy hair yet again. If this has ever happened to you, you need to know the quick ways to tame your hair for the day, and how to take care of it in the future. To help mend dry hair, you’ll need to add some steps to your routine, as well as omit some damaging behaviors you might have been doing before.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Repairing Dry Hair

1
Condition your hair every time you shower. Although you shouldn’t over-shampoo your hair, condition it whenever possible. Conditioner doesn’t strip dirt away from hair, like shampoo does, but adds in the moisture and reduces cuticle swelling.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- Invest in a high-quality conditioner if you suffer from dry hair. The few extra dollars will give you a product that goes the extra distance for your hair.
2
Apply leave-in conditioner after you’ve showered. Leave-in conditioner comes either in cream or in spray-bottle form; use whichever method feels better on your hair. Towel-dry your hair until it’s partially dry, then apply leave-in conditioner and allow your hair to air-dry the rest of the way.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- Leave-in conditioners come in a wide range of prices, and can be found in any grocer or convenience store.^{[3]
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  Research source}
- As with any product, investing more money will yield better results.
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3
Purchase and apply a hair mask.^{[4]
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Research source} Alongside your daily routine, once or twice a week, you should apply an intensive moisturizing mask to your hair.
- Apply the mask throughout your hair, from root to tip.
- Tie it back in a bun if you have long hair.
- Cover your head with a shower cap to prevent the mask from rubbing off on clothing and furniture.
- Leave the mask in for at least an hour.
- Take a shower to rinse the product from your hair.
4
Use natural alternatives to store-bought masks. Many natural oils are a great source of nutrition and moisture for hair. If store-bought chemicals make you nervous, use natural oils instead. Use the same process as you would for store-bought masks: apply the oil throughout your hair from root-to-tip, cover it with a shower cap, and let it sit in your hair for at least an hour before rinsing it out.
- Coconut oil is a popular super-oil that people use on both skin and hair.^{[5]
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- Avocado oil is a good source of vitamins A, B, D, and E, as well as protein, amino acids, iron, copper, magnesium, and folic acid.^{[6]
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- Olive oil is a great product that you probably just have sitting around your kitchen anyway.^{[7]
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5
Use honey to condition your hair.^{[8]
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Research source} Again, some of the best products for your hair occur in nature. Honey is a great source of nutrients and adds moisture to dry or damaged hair.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- Mix ¼ cup of raw honey with enough apple cider vinegar to make it manageable to spread through your hair.
- Take a shower to clean your hair.
- Apply the honey and water mixture to damp, clean hair.
- Cover it with a shower cap.
- Let it sit for at least half an hour.
- Shower again to wash it from your hair.
- Replace the water with either apple cider vinegar or a nourishing oil (like coconut, argan, or olive oil) if you want extra conditioning power.
6
Use avocado to condition your hair.^{[10]
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Research source} You can use either avocado oil, which can be purchased in salons, beauty supply stores, some grocery or convenience stores, and online, or just use the actual avocado.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- Mix 1 tablespoon each of avocado oil and olive oil, and apply evenly throughout your hair. Let sit for an hour before rinsing.
- Mash two avocados well in a bowl. Work through damp hair from root to tip, then cover with a shower cap and let sit for fifteen to twenty minutes before rinsing.
- Make sure to mash the avocado very well to avoid big chunks and ensure even application throughout your hair.
7
Use banana to condition your hair. Just like avocados, bananas are a cheap, natural way to add nutrients and moisture to your hair.
- Blend 3 ripe, peeled bananas with 3 tablespoons (44.4 ml) of honey, 2 tablespoons of yogurt, and a tablespoon of milk in a blender.
- Take a shower to clean your hair.
- Apply the mixture to damp, clean hair.
- Cover with shower cap.
- Let sit for at least an hour.
- Wash your hair clean.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Putting a Stop to Dehydrating Behaviors

1
Don’t over-shampoo your hair.^{[12]
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Research source} Americans tend to shampoo their hair more than they should, and this can strip your hair of vital oils, called sebum, needed to keep it shiny and healthy.^{[13]
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Research source} Reduce your shampoo regiment to no more than two or three times a week to maintain healthy sebum levels and prevent drying.
2
Switch to a low-sulphate or sulfate-free shampoo.^{[14]
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Research source} Many shampoos are high in the sulphates that create the frothiness of a good lather. While the lather might make you feel like you’re getting clean, the sulphates actually strip your hair of important natural oils. Low-sulphate and sulphate-free shampoos will get your hair just as clean, though you’ll have to get used to lather-less showers.
- Low-sulphate shampoos are available at most grocery stores.
- If not, check your local beauty supply store or salon.
3
Try switching from shampoo to no-poo. No-poo, as silly as it sounds, it a great alternative to shampoo that keeps commercial chemicals out of your hair by utilizing simple household items for hair cleaning.
- Dissolve one tablespoon of baking soda in a cup of water until it dissolves, and use that to wash your hair in the shower.
- Baking soda alone will dry out your hair, so always follow it up with apple cider vinegar, which is a natural moisturizer.
- Mix equal parts apple cider vinegar and water, and pour it over your hair after the baking soda mixture has been rinsed from your hair.
- Rinse all mixtures from your hair.
4
Avoid heat-intensive styling processes. Regular exposure to blow-dryers dry out your hair and cause heat damage.^{[15]
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Research source} Allow your hair to air-dry as often as possible, and always use protective products (purchased easily at a grocery or convenience store) if you have to blow dry.

Community Q&A

Question

How can I hydrate my hair?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Try argan oil! Argan oil not only treats dryness, but also can be used to treat split ends.
Question

How can I fix my dry hair at home?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

The first step is to figure out what you're doing healthwise that's causing your hair to dry out. If you aren't taking care of yourself, you may be drying your hair out without knowing it. One easy step you can take is to just start drinking more water. In terms of products, make sure you use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. These can make a big difference when it comes to dry hair.
Question

I wash my hair two times a week. Can I use a blow dryer to dry my hair? Will that not cause any damage?

Community Answer

If your blow dyer has a cold setting, use that. My blow dryer does and my hair feels great! To help prevent frizz, you can apply an oil (coconut, olive, castor, etc.) to your hair after you blow dry it.