Dry hair + natural hair go hand in hand, thanks to a tighter curl pattern that makes it harder for water and oils to penetrate. If you've grown frustrated with the breakage, lack of luster, and styling woes that come from having dry hair, our hair expert and trichologist Salem have great tips to restore your hair to all its moisturized glory.
1. Cut Back on Heat Styling
Heat styling is extremely damaging as heat affects the hair cuticle and your natural elasticity, creating split ends and possibly permanent heat damage. Blow dryers, flat irons, curling irons, and hot combs can cause dryness. The most damaging is heat above 350 that doesn’t require any chemical services. It is highly recommend using low heat when heat styling, and, of course, use a heat protector. Salem recommends Root2tip’s Honey Rain Juice a leave-in conditioner, which has nourishing and heat-protecting properties thanks to aloe and shea butter properties leaving hair sleek and shiny.
Experiment with wraps, and air-drying instead. If you can cut out all heat styling, your hair will recover much more quickly. Plus, you'll get to explore gentler options in styling that you might not have tried before. Wear Protective Styles
2. When you wear your hair out and it rubs against cotton clothing, wool hats, and wool sweaters, your ends take a beating. Because dry ends often split and break, you'll experience hair loss. You don’t always have to wear a protective style if you are natural, however, braids and twists are always a winner. Cornrows, topknots, buns, chignons, and French rolls are also options to keep your ends protected and less prone to dryness and breakage.
3. Protect Your Hair at Night
In addition to wearing protective styles during the day, it's important to protect your hair at night while you sleep. Satin caps and silk or satin pillowcases are much gentler on hair than cotton pillowcases or scarves. (Your hair glides against silky fabrics while it clings to cotton). Plus, cotton may suck moisture out of your hair, leading to, you guessed it, dryness.
4. Switch to Gentle, Fragrance-Free Shampoo
Dryness, itching, and even flaking can be from irritation. Harsh products with chemicals, excessive sulphates, or fragrances can create dryness and the same effects. We recommend using a gentle, fragrance-free shampoo, as this can help to repair the skin barrier if you have sensitive skin and experience irritation from harsh shampoos and common irritants. Don't wait too long between washes and use a co-wash for mid-week cleansing. Conditioner washes are good in between shampoos for keeping your scalp and hair clean without over-drying your hair. Root2tip’s Comb Out Co-wash is one of the best and highly recommend.
5. Always Condition
It's very hard to over-condition Black hair, especially if you wear yours natural. Regular deep conditioning can restore the moisture levels you need. For excessively dry hair, deep condition once or twice per week. You don't need a hood dryer for this. Slather on a good deep conditioner, cover it with a plastic
cap, and relax for a couple of hours. Wrap your head in a towel for additional heat to soften your hair. Any heat may help the conditioner penetrate your hair cuticles more effectively. Don't forget to apply a rinse-out conditioner after each shampoo and a leave-in conditioner after that. After shampooing and conditioning, apply the moisturizing cream section by section to achieve beautifully defined and moisturized curls or coils. We recommend using Root2tip’s Triple M Moisturising Milk.
- Apply an Oil Treatment
Dry scalps can benefit from added moisture in the form of an oil treatment. Salem says applying an oil, like castor or coconut oil, directly to the scalp can help soften flakes and ultimately help to repair the skin barrier. Coconut oil, in particular, is deeply nourishing to both the scalp and hair. Some hair oils contain ingredients, like rosemary oil, which may also have added benefits like promoting hair growth in addition to hydration. One such excellent product is Root2tip’s Root Energizer Scalp Oil.
- Add a Hydrating Hair Serum
Hair serums can treat a variety of hair concerns, and some hydrating hair serums may also benefit the scalp. It provides vital nourishment to the scalp and hydrates your scalp thus preventing dryness. One such serum is Grow It Long Scalp Serum. This serum has been effectively treating dry hair and scalps for more than a decade. It was originally developed in 2010 by our Founder to address her own scalp condition, Seborrheic dermatitis. Through extensive research, she created a formula with guidance from above that blends science with trichology knowledge. Our serum stimulates healthy hair growth at the cellular level.
- Massage the Scalp
Massaging your scalp can provide many benefits. Scalp massage stimulates blood flow to the area, which is believed to relieve tension and potentially promote new hair growth. When it comes to dry scalp treatment, massaging can help clear build-up that may cause dryness and help loosen flakes without causing irritation. It is recommended that you massage your scalp with your fingertips nightly, but you can also consider an in-shower scalp massager to use when you shampoo.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, if you’re tired of dealing with dry and natural hair, there are easy ways to bring back the moisture and make it look great. Avoid using too much heat on your hair, and if you have to, use a heat protector like Root2tip’s Honey Rain Juice. Try protective styles like braids or twists, and remember to protect your hair at night with satin caps or silk pillowcases.
Choose a gentle shampoo without harsh chemicals, and don’t wait too long between washes. Deep condition your hair once or twice a week, and don’t forget to use a leave-in conditioner. Applying oils like coconut or castor oil to your scalp can help with dryness, and consider using a hydrating hair serum like Grow It Long Scalp Serum.
Lastly, give your scalp a gentle massage to stimulate blood flow and promote healthy hair growth. With these simple steps and the right products, you can say goodbye to dry hair and hello to beautiful, moisturized locks! Visit us at www.root2tip.com for a variety of haircare products