Who here has struggled or is struggling with the issues of dryness with their hair? Dry hair is one of the top complaints that I hear regarding hair care and the search for a great product to help combat this. It's also, next to hair growth, one of the most talked-about topics not only within the natural hair community but in hair forums across the board.

Now, keep in mind, natural hair usually appears drier than straight hair due to the fact that the natural oils produced by the scalp, known as 'sebum', have a hard time traveling down the hair follicle due to the curves and bends in curly or coily hair. We should also understand that just because hair does not appear shiny, does not mean that it is not healthy (view the sentence right before this one). Shine and healthy hair do not go hand in hand. The shiny appearance of hair is due largely to the way light is able to reflect off of the hair, which is why black straight hair appears the shiniest.

Ok, ok, so now you ask, how do I achieve at least hair that is moisturized? As we all may know, dry hair can cause issues such as breakage which can be an obstacle in healthy hair growth. So, here are some tips that I have shared with many naturals and have used in my own hair care journey that has helped combat dry hair. You may be asking, "It's all about the products, right?". Well, let's dive into the tips and find out what's the scoop in helping to achieve and maintain healthy hair.

TIP 1:

PRODUCT BUILDUP

It's great to nourish the hair with natural butter based (check out our Hair + Body Butter )and oil-based products, however, not properly cleansing at least once to twice per month or as often as needed for your hair will aid in product buildup. At least once per month, try clarifying the hair using a natural clarifying shampoo such as our Dudu Osum Shampoo. When a product is constantly built upon the hair, moisture is not allowed to properly penetrate the hair, thereby aiding in dryness and lackluster hair.

TIP 2:

Lack of water, Improper diet and Certain medication

'Let Food Be Thy Medicine' a popular quote by Hippocrates meaning, what we put into our bodies affect what comes out of it. Food is meant to nourish, but as we all know, all foods are not nourishing. So be sure to treat your temple to foods that are healthy and nourishing, especially fruits and veggies, organic as much as possible. Be sure to get plenty of water. Our bodies are made up of mostly water and we need to ensure to we keep it stocked with water, so bottoms up!! And lastly, certain prescription medications can aid in causing dryness in the hair. Check with your medical professional to find out if hair and skin dryness are side effects of any medication you may be prescribed. 

TIP 3:

YOU MAY HAVE HARD WATER

Because normal tap water contains chlorine and a plethora of other harsh chemicals and minerals that aid in dryness, it's great to use spring, filtered or distilled water to cleanse the hair..OR.. Apple Cider Vinegar rinses are great for aiding in ridding the hair of mineral buildup. The use of Apple Cider Vinegar as a final rinse is great for helping to close the hair's cuticle, which helps the hair hold on to more moisture and gives hair a shinier appearance. It also aids in protecting the scalp from water and environmental contaminants that aid in scalp issues. Water filter systems are excellent as well, just be sure that your system removes chlorine as well.  Add our ACV Hair + Scalp Mist to your healthy hair regimen, loaded with herbs infused Apple Cider Vinegar.

TIP 4:

CHECK YOUR PRODUCT INGREDIENTS

Products that are in many commercial, non-natural products, as well as some natural products, are the main culprits of aiding in dryness. Products that contain silicones, mineral oil, petrolatum, propylene glycol, and the likes can block moisture from penetrating the hair and many regular shampoos are not formulated to remove many silicones, which is why a hair detox may be needed to thoroughly remove buildup from the hair and scalp. Silicones give the illusion of a faux sheen that acts as wax buildup that can be difficult to remove, aiding in dryness.  This layer of buildup blocks the hair from receiving proper moisture, leaving hair feeling dry and you feeling frustrated. Detoxing the hair requires the use of a strong cleanser, such as Bentonite or Rhassoul Clay Treatments, various black soap shampoos, such as SheaMoisture Black Soap Shampoo and Dudu Osum Black Soap Shampoo and thorough cleansing of nothing but the shampoo for up to 7 days, known as 'hair detoxing'.Say what now!? This is not absolute, but it can definitely help. Be sure to check your ingredients to ensure that your tresses receive nourishment vs coating as some of these ingredients are known to be very drying in the long term use of them. If you are unsure of ingredients, visit the manufacturer's website or google the ingredient to stay 'in the know' of what you are putting on your hair and scalp.

TIP 5:

IMPROPER MOISTURIZATION

 No matter how amazing a product claims to be, if not properly used, it can be a bust. To properly hydrate hair, it's always best to properly moisturize the hair by first dampening hair with water or a water-based product. However, water evaporates quickly, so once the hair dries, it is DRY. So, to combat this and ensure the moisture is locked in, first, apply water or a water-based product such as our Leave In Conditioner , ACV Hair + Scalp Mist. or even our Rose + Hibiscus Toner Mist loaded with Rose Hydrosol, THEN lock/seal the moisture in with a an organic butter (like our Hair + Body Butter) or organic oil-based product like our Locs + Tress Oil (organic ingredients are best because many of the pesticides found in non-organic plants and ingredients including natural ones can be harmful not only to our hair but our skin). And since our ends are the oldest part of the hair and prone to dryness, splitting, and breakage, be sure to pay special attention to them. Protecting the hair at night with a satin/silk bonnet, scarf or pillowcase is key to helping the hair to retain moisture as cotton absorbs moisture from the hair. 

TIP 6:

PRE POO

Pre Pooing is a beneficial step that is done using a good conditioner (like our Leave-In Conditioner) before shampoo cleansing the hair. It allows the hair to retain more hydration, it helps prevent swelling of the hair and it minimizes the harshness of shampooing and helps rid the hair of shed hairs accumulated throughout the days and weeks. (keep in mind, normal hair will shed between 100-150 hairs per day. You can tell shed hair by the white tip or bulb at the end of the hair). Please keep in mind that if you do not detangle your hair often, then you will see an accumulation of the hair that would have otherwise shed daily..there is no getting past shedding, it is the normal life cycle of the hair and is inevitable. The strands are typically the length of your hair which is different than broken hairs which are much shorter. Feel free to check out my Pre Poo Method here. Have you tried Pre Pooing? 

TIP 7:

DEEP CONDITION

Deep conditioning is a helpful and much-needed step in our hair care regimens for aiding in helping to keep the hair hydrated. Deep conditioning also helps with minimizing split ends and breakage. Enjoying a Deep Conditioning treatment using a steamer, this is especially helpful for those with low porosity hair, is amazing in a couple of ways. The heat from the steamer helps open the cuticle on the hair allowing the nourishing ingredients to penetrate the strands. The boost from the steam helps to enhance the effectiveness of the ingredients in the Deep Conditioner. Our Deep Conditioner is loaded with nourishing ingredients such as Rhassoul Clay, Raw Cacao, Nettle, Hibiscus, Cupuacu and so much more, enjoying those ingredients under a steamer increases their effectiveness to nourish the hair strands.