When your hair feels dry to the touch, it may also be brittle and hard to style. But having dry hair doesn’t mean that you have a larger health problem, or that there’s anything wrong with the hair that you have. Sun exposure, heat styling, humidity, smoking, and more can all contribute to hair that’s damaged and dry.

The good news is that there are a few things you can do if you feel like reducing the dryness of your hair.

Get a trim

If your hair is too dry, it might need a reset in the form of a fresh cut. Even if your hair isn’t very long, split ends can make hair hard to style and contribute to it feeling dry or coarse.

Visit your stylist and trim off hair that’s unhealthy and weighing down fresh hair growth. While you’re there, ask the stylist if they have any tips for your particular hair type and length. They may recommend a new styling routine that can keep your hair from being damaged.

Take vitamins

You know that you need certain vitamins to nourish your body, but certain vitamins directly impact the health of your hair and nails, too. Vitamin A, vitamin C, biotin (sometimes called vitamin H), and the mineral iron will all contribute to hair that looks healthier.

Because prenatal vitamins contain all of the above vitamins, some people take them just for the way they affect their hair. It’s also popular at the moment to take supplements that contain only biotin to make your hair look better.

Add omega-3s and antioxidants to your diet

Omega 3’s keep your hair from thinning out and can make hair look shinier. To get similar results without taking a supplement, increase the amount of marine proteins in your diet. This includes:

  • salmon
  • oysters
  • mackerel
  • tuna
  • sardines

These are all rich in peptides and omega-3s, which can make your hair shinier.

You might also consider eating more antioxidants to combat oxidative stress, which makes hair look older. Some foods that are rich in antioxidants include:

  • walnuts
  • kidney beans
  • blueberries
  • broccoli
  • tomatoes

The Mayo Clinic emphasizes healthy fats, like those found in canola oil, for better hair health.

Avoid washing your hair every day

Shampoo removes dirt and sweat from your hair, but it also strips your hair of. Sebum is the natural oil that makes your hair easier to maintain and, when you have the right amount, shiny. Too much sebum leads to a greasy hair appearance.

But you probably don’t need to be stripping your hair of sebum every day — you can most likely wash your hair every other day and see your hair appear healthier as a result. If you can’t go a day in between washing, at least use a shampoo specifically for dry hair or even try a baby shampoo. Both are mildly cleansing without stripping hair completely of its natural oil.

Wrap your hair instead of air drying

If your hair is brittle and difficult to style after you wash it, it could be losing too much moisture during the drying process. Try wrapping your hair with a cloth or towel after you wash it instead of letting it air dry.

If you sleep with your hair wet, use a silk pillowcase to keep your hair’s moisture from getting absorbed into your pillows.

Cut down on heat styling

Heat styling to curl, straighten, or add volume to your hair might have been a part of your daily routine for years. It may also be the reason that your hair is drying out.

Try colder showers

The hot water that you use to rinse your body in the shower might also be scalding your hair. Cold showers have some health benefits, and making hair grow faster could be among them. After you shampoo and condition your hair in the shower, rinse your hair under a cooler temperature of water for a minute or two to revitalize strands and refresh your scalp.

Use essential oils

Moroccan argan oil has become a popular home remedy for dry hair. Using a few drops of argan oil on the ends of your hair may give it a more finished and supple appearance. Other essential oils, like peppermint oil and lavender oil, may help stop hair loss and prevent breakage.

Mixing argan oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, and a carrier oil like coconut oil together to make a quick spritz hair perfume may make your hair feel less dry over time.

Wear a hat

Ultraviolet rays can damage your hair shaft the same way they can damage your skin. If you have dry hair, limit your hair’s exposure to these rays. Wear a hat during your daily activities, and avoid prolonged sun exposure. If your hair has already been exposed to UV rays, smoothing some pure aloe vera gel on your hair might help repair the damage.

Use hot oils

Olive oil is one of the most popular home remedies for dry hair. Besides olive oil, the following can also be used with good results:

  • coconut oil
  • almond oil
  • castor oil
  • jojoba oil
  • corn oil

All of these oils are rich in vitamin E and antioxidants and help to seal the outer hair layer or cuticle with moisture, thus repairing the damage.

To prepare this home remedy:

  1. Warm but do not boil around half a cup of oil.
  2. Gently massage it into the hair for some minutes.
  3. Cover the hair with a warm towel.
  4. Leave for 30−45 minutes or overnight.
  5. After this time, shampoo and rinse the hair.

This treatment will strengthen and add shine to dry hair.

Apply a gelatin preparation

Plain gelatin is a good protein source for the hair. It coats the hair strands and moisturizes them, making the hair smooth and shiny.

To prepare this home remedy:

  1. Mix 1 tablespoon of gelatin with 1 cup of warm water.
  2. Leave it aside for 5 minutes to partially set the gelatin.
  3. Add 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and 6 drops of an essential oil, such as jasmine, lavender, clary sage, or rosemary to the preparation and stir.
  4. Apply the mixture to clean hair.
  5. Finally, leave the preparation on the hair for 10 minutes and rinse with tepid water.

Using egg and mayonnaise-based mixtures

Eggs and mayonnaise contain lots of protein, which helps to fortify and strengthen the hair and restore moisture to brittle or very dry hair.

People can prepare one of these protein-based mixtures at home in the following ways:

  1. Whip an egg white with 2 tablespoons of tepid water.
  2. Apply the mixture to the hair and scalp.
  3. Massage with the fingertips in circular movements for a few minutes.
  4. Rinse the hair with cool water and then shampoo.

Or:

  1. Mix three eggs in a bowl.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of honey.
  3. Apply the mixture to hair and scalp.
  4. Cover the head with a plastic covering or shower cap for about 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse the hair with cool water and shampoo.

Or:

  1. Wet the hair with warm water and gently apply to it a thick layer of mayonnaise.
  2. Gently massage the hair and scalp, working it through the hair strands to the ends.
  3. Cover the head with a plastic cap for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  4. Rinse the hair with cool water and shampoo.

Applying a yogurt and oil mask

Yogurt and oil together can make an effective home treatment for dry hair.

To prepare this home remedy:

  1. Add half-a-cup of plain yogurt to 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 6 drops of an essential oil.
  2. Mix together thoroughly.
  3. Apply the mixture to shampooed hair.
  4. Cover with plastic or a shower cap and leave for 1520 minutes.
  5. Rinse the hair thoroughly with warm water.

Applying an avocado paste

The avocado fruit is rich in vitamins A and E, saturated fats, and minerals, which all nourish damaged and dry hair, helping to moisturize and strengthen it.

To prepare an avocado paste, mash a ripe, peeled avocado with one egg and apply the mixture to wet hair for 20 minutes. Then rinse the hair several times.

Using a banana mask

Bananas are high in potassium and have high moisture content, which makes them suitable for treating dry hair. Because of their beneficial properties, bananas may prevent split ends, soften the hair, and improve elasticity.

To take advantage of these benefits, mash one banana and thoroughly spread it on the hair, from roots to ends. Leave it on for 1 hour and rinse with lukewarm water.

Take preventive measures

Making some lifestyle changes and taking preventive measures can help alleviate dry hair. Tips include:

  • Avoid overuse of hair styling products, including hair dye and heated styling tools, such as a blow dryer, curling iron, and flat iron.
  • Avoid excessive sun exposure.
  • Avoid excessive contact with chlorinated water in swimming pools.
  • Wear loose hairstyles instead of tight ponytails.
  • Do not sleep with accessories in the hair.
  • Apply a weekly moisturizing hair mask.
  • Use soft and padded hair accessories and avoid metal clips and other metal accessories.
  • Avoid washing hair too often, only washing it every few days instead.
  • Use mild shampoos, such as herbal or sulfate-free shampoos.
  • Use cold or tepid water instead, of hot water when washing hair. Cold water helps to seal the cuticles and reduces moisture loss.
  • Use moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, such as those with softening oils that can include sweet almond, Argan, sunflower, and soybean.
  • Protect the hair from harsh elements and chemicals at the beach or swimming pool by rinsing hair with 1/4 cup of apple cider mixed with 3/4 cup of water before going to the beach or after a swim.
  • Trim the hair frequently to prevent split ends showing.
  • Wear hats and scarves to protect the hair from the sun.
  • Drink plenty of water and follow a healthful, balanced diet, as what a person consumes will directly impact their hair’s health

Trying home remedies for your dry hair is easy enough, with no risk to you. But long-term hair loss and breakage can be a sign of other health issues. Speak to a dermatologist if you have any of these symptoms:

  • hair that comes out in clumps
  • bald spots or patterns of baldness
  • hair that breaks when you brush it