Dry hair SOS: The ATH guide on how to care for dry damaged hair
Tackle your dry hair woes with this comprehensive guide!
Are you looking for a remedy for your dry hair? Before you can tackle the problem, it’s important to figure out what could be causing this damage.
Brushing, blow-drying, bleaching, braiding, colouring, curling and straightening hair are the secret seven contributors to hair damage. – Aaron Carlo, TRESemmé UK Hair Ambassador
We spoke to celebrity stylist and TRESemmé UK Hair Ambassador Aaron Carlo, who told us that while “most people think that heat styling tools are the only causes of hair damage, everyday friction from brushing, braiding etc can [also] cause hair damage.”
So you see, there are a number of different factors that could explain why you’re suffering from dry, damaged hair. But don’t go getting your tresses in a twist about it, as we’re here to share all of the expert hair advice you will need to get your locks in tip top condition.
From nourishing at-home treatments, hair tips for curly hair types and easy tweaks to your everyday styling habits, this comprehensive guide to dry hair will help you get strands that both look and feel healthier.
Caring for dry hair: Our comprehensive guide
Picking the right products
The first step to healthy looking hair is picking the right products for your tresses. To give your locks the best chance at recovery, use a specialist damaged hair care range that targets the main signs of damage – split ends, frizz and dullness.
Shampoo and Conditioner
Aaron recommends the TRESemmé Biotin + Repair 7 Shampoo and Conditioner “for everyone who’s aware they’re damaging their hair, whether it be heat, chemical or just day to day styling.”
When our hair is damaged, the proteins which hold the structure of the hair together break apart. This wash and care duo restores these broken bonds by forming temporary bonds which fill in the gaps and reinforce the structure. This strengthens the hair, leaving it better protected against future damage.
Have curly hair? One of the most obvious markers of dry, damaged hair is that the surface of the hair becomes rough – so in terms of tips for curly hair, smoothing products are key. Our suggestion? The Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, which repair the look of this surface damage, smoothing the strands for healthier hair and reduced frizz.
Masks
To really nourish dry damaged hair, treat it to a deep conditioning mask, like the TRESemmé Biotin + Repair 7 Intensive Mask or the TONI&GUY Damage Repair Mask.
“Leave hair masks on overnight so they can provide the maximum hair repair” recommends Aaron. “This should be done once a week”.
As masks are more intensive versions of your regular daily conditioners, you only need to use them once or twice a week, depending on the condition your hair is in.
Hair care tips
While it’s important to be using the right products for your mane, it is equally important to consider your daily hair routine as this plays a massive part in the health of your hair. Below are a few tips on how you can help reduce the appearance of damaged hair, which you can do every day.
Reduce your use of heated tools
While they may be part of your everyday routine, your use of heated tools (such as straighteners and hair dryers) can create havoc with your hair.
The heat from blow-drying and using any heat tools causes internal and external damage to the hair follicle. Naturally letting your hair air dry will reduce the amount of damage your hair is exposed to on a daily basis. – Aaron Carlo, TRESemmé UK Hair Ambassador
If and when possible, we suggest allowing hair to air dry or at the very least use a heat protect spray before using any heat on your hair, like the TRESemmé Biotin + Repair 7 Primer Spray.
Aaron tells us this was “created with Biotin and a humidity resistant formula, which shields hair from heat while controlling frizz and helping to prevent split ends.”
Mists are great as they’re lightweight, but if your hair is super thick or severely damaged, there’s also the TRESemmé Biotin+ Repair 7 Primer Cream, which is a richer cream formula for even more intense nourishment.
Space out any colour or chemical treatments
If you regularly get a chemical treatment or dash off to the salon at the slightest sight of root growth, you’ll probably already know that it can make your hair feel drier and more brittle.
Now, we’re not saying skip the appointment altogether, simply space out the times between your visits where possible and keep on top of your hair care maintenance between dye jobs.
You might not believe us, but grown out roots are actually 2018’s surprising breakthrough trend. Yes, really!
Make the most out of your beauty sleep
How, you ask? Simply switching your pillowcases to a silk or satin alternative can help reduce breakage (a dry hair girls worst enemy), as they causes less friction on the hair as we toss and turn during the night.
But aside from the benefits for your mane, the supple feel of the fabric is simply divine to rest your head on!
