1. What causes dry hair?
-
a. How to treat dry hair
2. What causes damaged hair?
-
a. How to fix damaged hair
3. What are split ends?
-
a. How to get rid of split ends
Nothing beats a good hair day—except for maybe a good skin day. When your hair is looking its best, it brings with it a wave of feel-good energy and confidence, like you’re ready to take on the world. Sounds hyperbolic? Well, it’s true. In fact, according to a study conducted by Yale University, a good hair day correlates to feelings of being more productive, less stressed, more socially powerful and more in control.
The reality is, most of us don’t experience good hair days every day. The same study cited only one in 10 women are satisfied with their hair on a daily basis. That’s not surprising, because there are a number of things sabotaging your good hair days besides rain. Sure, moisturized, full-bodied hair is the holy grail, but dryness, damage and split ends can stand in the way of the quest to achieve it. So, in a bid to make every day a good hair day, we’ve got tips and fixes for your healthiest hair ever—along with the best hair treatment for dry, damaged hair.
1. What causes dry hair?
Dry hair is about as common as dry skin—which means very! Dry hair (much like dry skin) happens when your hair doesn’t get or retain enough moisture. However, one common cause of dry hair comes down to the type of hair you have. All scalps produce oils (some more than others); if you have straight hair, those oils can travel more easily through the follicles and down the shaft. Curly, kinky or S-shaped curls have a more difficult time; the oils have trouble emerging from the follicle because of its shape. This means that these hair types are naturally drier. The weather is also a big issue. Like flaky skin, parched strands suffer in the winter because of cold winds and low humidity.
Then there are the self-inflicted factors that can lead to dry hair. These include using styling products that are laced with drying agents—the most common being alcohol; washing your hair too often and using the wrong shampoo, usually a clarifying one, that can strip the oils away without leaving behind nourishing ingredients; and bleaching and dyeing, both of which contain harsh chemicals that can lift the natural oils from your hair.
a. How to treat dry hair
In the same way you use a moisturizer for your skin, your hair needs a daily dose of hydration. First things first: Trap moisture by using a hydrating shampoo for dry hair and an equally nourishing conditioner. Vichy Dercos Kera-Solutions Reparative Moisturizing Shampoo is the perfect product to gently cleanse hair while working to bring moisture to both your strands and your scalp. It also has a micro-filling effect that helps protect your hair (and scalp) from further moisture loss.
If you wash your hair every day, try and skip a day. Too much washing will strip the oils from your scalp, which means you’re not giving the products a chance to add moisture to your hair. You should also lay off the hot water and opt for lukewarm instead. This is especially soothing if you have a dry scalp. Another way to ramp up the presence of oil is by incorporating it into your hair care routine: a treatment. Finally, a great way to help boost moisture levels is by putting a humidifier in your bedroom. It will help hair retain its natural moisture—and it’s also great for your scalp, skin and house plants!
2. What causes damaged hair?
Many people think the terms “dry” and “damaged” are interchangeable, but they’re not. Dry means your hair lacks moisture, while damaged means your hair is lacking strength and structure (proteins) due to heat damage, chemical treatments, a low-protein diet and environment factors—especially the sun. Continued exposure to UV rays can lift your hair’s cuticles and weaken its hydrolipidic film. The result translates into a loss of keratin—the main protein in hair.
a. How to fix damaged hair
Want to know how to take care of your damaged hair? The number one thing you want to do is turn to products that will repair and restructure the hair shaft—and the best place to start is in the shower. The best shampoo for damaged hair is one that’s packed with protein to help smooth distressed tresses. Enter Vichy Dercos Kera-Solutions Reparative Moisturizing Shampoo, which uses Pro-Keratin Complex to create bonds with the proteins in the hair and reinforce the cuticle. In just one wash, the surface damage is reduced by 60%. Other strategies to repair damaged hair is to go on a hiatus from heat tools and look for a nourishing leave-in treatment and conditioner for dry damaged hair.
3. What are split ends?
Everyone experiences split ends at some point, but the likelihood of them cropping up in your cut rises significantly the longer you go between haircuts. So, what are split ends? Just as the name implies, it’s fraying or separating of the hair strand into two or more fragments. This happens when the protective outer layer of your hair (a.k.a. the cuticle) is damaged, leaving the inner core—proteins that make up your hair—exposed, making your hair weak and susceptible to splitting and snapping off.
What causes split ends is a combination of external factors. Besides not getting regular trims, the two most common causes include chemical processing (dyeing your hair or using chemical straighteners or perms) and mechanical damage (heat styling and friction).
a. How to get rid of split ends
Let’s start with the facts. Once hair is split or broken, you can’t ever fully repair this kind of damage. The only way to make split ends vanish is by snipping them away with a fresh cut. But you can temporarily mend the split strands with continuous care and maintenance. There are a number of products out there that work as split end menders. They’re usually leave-in products or treatment masks that seal the outer layer of strands, which temporarily creates the appearance of smoother and less frayed ends. Plus, these kinds of treatments also help prevent future damage that can lead to split ends.
RELATED PRODUCTS
Dercos Densi-Solutions Thickening Shampoo
With Rhamnose + Vitamin E for Thin & Weakened Hair
Dercos Densi-solutions Hair Mass Thickening Concentrate
Concentrate for Damaged and Weakened Hair (100ml)
Dercos Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Normal to Dry Hair
Shampoo to Eliminate 100% of Visible Dandruff (200ml)
