The causes of dry hair and scalp are most often interrelated. Environmental conditions have caused dry hair through overexposure to the sun and wind and the presence of minerals and chlorine in water used to wash our hair. Dry hair can also occur due to the result of swimming or bathing in pools and spas with chlorinated water, or hair treatments using perm chemicals, peroxide bleach, color developer, and hair relaxer chemicals and even from straightening tools and hair dryers.

The use of hard water for bathing can cause dry hair and a dry scalp. Are you aware that hard water can trigger scalp eczema or dandruff, thinning hair, and dry flaky skin? You need to be careful when you go to a salon and have your hair treated. It could be possible that hard water is used.

Hard water has hair resistant to perming or coloring and may lead to hair loss. The water you use in washing your hair, scalp and skin comes from ground and surface water. Ground water comes from the well or from local treatment plant where water is derived from a well's pumping water from the ground. The source is from rain passing through aquifers, which are layers of minerals. The acidity (pH below 7) of the rain increases the dissolving effect of minerals. The dissolved solids are found in the water when pumped above the ground and used to bathe. Surface water, on the other hand, comes from the water that is deriving from the surface source. This is water coming from river or lake. The surface water usually contains lesser minerals because it has never been filtered down through the mineral layers.

Water hardness is determined by the level of calcium that is in the water either found naturally from the ground or put into the water by the treatment plant. While calcium is the element that determines hardness of water, there are many other elements in the water that affect the texture, volume, shine, control and health of hair. One of the minerals that effect hair dry and dry scalp is Calcium. Calcium is the mineral that determines hardness of water. Effects of calcium on hair are as follows:

1. Calcium makes the hair feel dry and weighted down. It can cause a perm to appear relaxed. Calcium that builds up on scalp can cause flaking, giving the appearance of dandruff.

2. Calcium can choke the hair at the mouth of the follicle causing the hair to break off. This enables the coating of the scalp resulting to blocking further new growth.

A great way to get rid of dry hair and scalp is to condition the hair. Add natural oils to your hair like avocado, coconut, jojoba or olive oil to your hair. These oils are great conditioning regimen to use before shampooing the hair. You may also use naturals like apple cider vinegar to get rid of dandruff and dry scalp. Most importantly, rinse well and use the proper hair treatment for your hair to avoid having to experience dry hair and dry scalp.

There are several salon hair care products that can help with dry hair including some of the popular brands like Alterna, Redken, Nioxin, Rusk, Abba and Mastey to name a few. Look for products that smooth down hair if you have curly dry issues or frizzy issues or just look for hydrating shampoos for straight or normal types of locks.

Brushing the hair from top to bottom will also stimulate the scalp and bring sebum down to the ends. Exercise and a good night's rest are good for the rest of your body, but they also help treat dry hair. Exercise contributes to proper blood flow, and sleep will give you better health overall. Many times dry hair indicates a poor diet or even mild dehydration. Always drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet of good proteins, fats and carbohydrates, and consider vitamin and mineral supplements. Vitamins A, C, E, and calcium are all good for treating dry hair. Do not wash your hair every day. Let your scalp's natural oils help treat your hair. Use a shampoo that contains humectants (like panthenol or glycerin) which will encourage water to bind to your hair to reduce dryness. Avoid coloring, straightening, or perming your hair. Apply a few drops of safflower oil to your hands, rub them together, and then work some of it into the ends. Eat plenty of essential fatty acids (but avoid cholesterol).

Dry Hair Treatment Tips

1. Take a few drops of safflower oil in your palms and carefully take your hair (while dry).

2. Leave this in your hair for atleast 2 hours before washing.

3. Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner (on ends only) every other day. Rinse with water alone on off days.

4. Avoid heat-styling (blow-drying, flat-ironing) as often as possible because it damages your hair.

5. Use a cold water rinse (this closes hair shafts, makes hair shiny, and lessens the chance of breakage and split ends).

6. Apply 5 tablespoons of honey on the scalp and hair.

7. Massage your hair with warm almond oil.

8. Do not wash your hair every day. Let your scalp's natural oils help treat your hair.

9. Apply the conditioner only to the ends of your hair.

10.Avoid coloring, straightening, or perming your hair.


Read about home remedies Also read about common cold remedies and bronchitis remedies.

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