Dry Winter Hair
By: Melanie Barnas
Updated: June 24, 2008
For Dry Hair:
Hair normally has a moisture content of approximately 10%. If your hair's moisture content drops below this level the key is to increase the hair's ability of attract and retain moisture. This is accomplished by using moisturizers. Good one have "humectants" that not only replace lost moisture but actually attract moisture and retain it in the cortex of the hair. Essential fatty aids (EFA's) are great moisturizers. One of the best and most cost effective essential fatty acids is safflower oil. It is the kind you can buy to cook with. It is rich in EFA's. The scalp produces the best EFA's called sebum. The problems is once the hair grows past the neck line or does not have direct contact with the scalp the scalps natural oils can not be utilized throughout the hair shaft. At this point you can manually replace the lost EFA's by:
-Placing 1 or 2 drops of safflower oil in your palms and rub them together.
-There should only be enough to make your hands "shine" in the light.
-Carefully take your hair (while dry) and "scrunch" the small amount of oil to the ENDS first and work toward the
scalp.
Leave this in your hair.
-1-2 drops of safflower oil on dry hair is so small, you won't notice it is there. By doing the above as often as
necessary, will ensure your dry hair will have the proper amount of humectants to attract and retain moisture. The
key is a small amount will go a long way.
Other tips:
1) Use a thermal protector when using heat. See "thermal protectors"
2) Do not blow dry the hair completely dry. Leave a little moisture in.
3) Use a conditioner with U.V. protectors built in.
4) Use a low or no ammonia hair color.
5) Air oxidize perms instead of using the neutralizer.
6) Never brush wet or damp hair. Use a wide toothed comb.
7) On dry hair use a boars hair brush and start at the ends and work up.
8) Clarify your hair after you swim.
9) Blow dry on the "cool" setting.
10) Eat protein rich foods (chicken, fish, nuts) - Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids (not from animal sources [they contain cholesterol]-only from botanical sources) -
