The dry ends of the hair need moisture

Although I spend more time on hair care than my skin, I have not written so much about haircare. As the weather cools down, indoor heating is turned on in many homes. The warmer the indoor air is becoming, the dryer it will become as the heating system also dries the air. Not only the skin, but also the hair dries in the dry indoor air. How to treat naturally dry hair?  This article tells you how to avoid excessive drying of your hair.

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Photo by niklas_hamann on Unsplash

Why does my hair dry out?

Hair can dry out not only due to the environment but also due to improper care. The hair is covered with a thin layer of natural sebum. It is intended to protect the hair from drying out. Improper treatment routines and intense chemical treatments easily damage the natural protective layer of the hair. If the natural sebum layer is lost from the surface of the hair, the hair loses moisture.

Dry hair easily becomes static and it breaks. Dry hair is also very difficult to comb as it tangles easily. This is often the case for children’s thin hair, as the child’s scalp does not yet secrete enough the protective sebum. The secretion also decreases when we are ageing.

The ends of the hair are most vulnerable. Natural sebum is formed in the scalp. It spreads down the hair. In long hair, the ends are often left without natural protection. If the tops are not cared for regularly, they will dry out, get tangled and break.

How we can keep our hair moisturized?

Excessive washing is the no 1 reason for drying out. Especially if you use sulphate-containing (SLS) shampoos, your hair will dry out really easily. Nowadays I wash my hair with water only. My own hair has never been as nice and healthy since I left shampoos behind me. This is not a general advice because washing with water only is not suitable for everyone. So, pay attention to more gentle shampoos and reduce the times you wash your hair. You can try to find a mild and gentle option among natural shampoo bars. Some of them are soap-based and some are shampoo-based. You should try which one is right for your hair.

Hair conditioner matters

The choice of hair conditioner is especially important. I gave up silicone-containing hair cosmetics a long time ago. With the start of the water wash only, I noticed that many industrial conditioners easily deposit on the hair. A highly washable shampoo would be needed to remove them. At the same time, the shampoo would also remove the protective layer on the surface of the hair. Therefore, another option had to be found.

Hair oils do not moisturize

Many hairdressers recommend using hair oil after washing. Argan oil in particular is very popular in hair care. All the oils do remain on the surface of the hair, making the hair look greasy.

Be cautious with greasy hair masks

There is a general advice that hair should be rubbed with many different oils such as olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, butter, avocados and other fats. These treatments may be suitable for some hair types but not for our Nordic hair. Heavy oils stay our hair and make them look dirty. Although the hair is greasy on the surface, it still remains dry and tangled. But how could I get my hair moisturized properly?

Adding hair oil to damp hair

I heard some instruction that the oil should always be applied to damp hair. The structure of the hair is scaly. When the hair is washed, the scales open. Water gets inside the hair and moisturizes the hair. The oil applied to damp hair should lock the moisture in the hair. But what happens when water and oil meet? When preparing emulsions, we have learned that water and oil do not like each other. This is exactly what is happening now. If you apply the oil to damp hair, the water dries out and only the oil remains. Here is the reason why hair oils do not work in the hair.

How do I get water locked in my hair?

Water and oil is not a good combination in the hair as they do not stay together. What if we combine oil and water with an emulsifier? An emulsifier is an ingredient that helps water and oil stay together. The emulsion made from water and oil penetrates the scales of damp hair and really connects there. The emulsion is able to lock moisture in the hair. The oils in the emulsion protect the hair and prevent it from drying out. A small amount of emulsion applied to damp hair keeps the ends of the hair in good condition. I recommend leaving the emulsion conditioner on the ends, do not rinse it off. This keeps your hair ends moisturized between the washing times. By following this advice, I managed to grow my hair really long.

The emulsion can also be used as a hair mask. Apply 2 tablespoons of emulsion to the hair, leave on for 30 minutes and rinse off.

DIY-emulsion conditioner is the best option for hair

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Photo by Dev Asangbam on Unsplash

I have been avoiding industrially-made beauty care products because of the chemicals they contain. Emulsions contain water and therefore they must always contain at least a preservative. In addition, industrial conditioners contain many different chemicals. Some of these chemicals remain on the surface of the hair and do not come off without using an effective shampoo.

If you manage to find an emulsion conditioner that does not contain shocking amount of weird chemicals it means you don’t have to make everything yourself.

If you want a virtually chemical-free product, make yourself a simple emulsion from oils and water using an emulsifier. You can read more about preparing the emulsion here. I especially recommend moringa oil for dry hair. It contains a fatty acid that moisturizes the hair. I have written about Moringa oil here.

With a home-made emulsion conditioner, you can adjust the oiliness of the emulsion to suit your own hair. You can also combine different oils and vary the ingredients of the water infusion as well as the acidity. You can also add panthenol, a hair care ingredient, to the emulsion conditioner. Panthenol also makes the hair easier to comb.

If you are thinking of a solution for dry ends, I definitely recommend trying an emulsion conditioner.  I have used it for the ends and dry hair in neck.

What is your method for dry ends? Tell us your own tips in the comments section!

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