What causes dry hair?
Dry natural hair appears dull, frizzy, and brittle. In some cases, the scalp may be dry and flaky.
Various factors cause dry hair. Some are due to improper hair care practices, and others are due to systemic conditions and climate change. These factors include:
- Use of excessive heat on the hair
- Overexposure to dry, cold, or hot weather
- Use of harsh chemicals or products with harsh ingredients
- Systemic conditions such as hypothyroidism and nutritional deficiencies.
How to moisturize dry natural hair?
We will dive into the 4 best ways to moisturize type 4 natural hair and discuss ways to prevent moisture loss from the hair.
- Use of deep conditioner
- Hot oil treatments
- Use moisturizing hair products
- Trim split ends
Use of deep conditioner
There are different types of hair conditioners intended for various purposes. Dry hair needs deep conditioner as its molecules can penetrate the hair strand into the cortex to impart moisture and strength. Dry hair needs both moisturizing conditioners and strengthening or protein conditioners. The moisturizing conditioners impart moisture into the hair strands. Protein treatment impacts strength in the hair structure. Deep conditioning once a week or every two weeks while alternating the two deep conditioners is a good practice. While at it, it is also important to wash hair once or twice a week as washing the hair too often strips of the hair its natural oils – sebum, leaving the hair dry.
Steps
- Ensure the hair is open- not braided or weaved.
- Detangle the hair using a wide-toothed comb.
- Shampoo the hair using a high-quality moisturizing shampoo and with warm water
- Rinse the shampoo and blot off excess water.
- Apply a generous amount of deep conditioner from the root of the hair to the tip. Ensure to part the hair in small sections so the conditioner gets on every strand.
- Leave the deep conditioner on the hair for 15-30 minutes, cover with a plastic cap, or use a hood drier.
- Rinse off the deep conditioner with lukewarm water. Avoid rinsing with cold water. Cold water leaves product remnants on the hair. Also, avoid scalding water. Hot water will strip away the benefits impacted by the deep conditioner.
- Dry the hair with a microfiber or soft towel and style as desired.
Hot oil treatments
Hot oils help deliver moisture to dry hair. The heat in hot oil treatment opens the hair cuticles and allows the oils to penetrate the cortex. The emollient properties in the oils leave the hair moisturized and vibrant.
Steps
- Warm the oil in a bowl or container- do not boil the oil. Hot oil damages the hair. Some of the best oils to use are olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, and almond oil.
- Apply the oil to the hair in small sections. Start from the roots to the tips.
- Ensure every hair strand is soaked.
- Cover the hair in a plastic cap for 30 minutes. You can also opt to leave the oil overnight on the hair. The plastic cap helps keep the heat in. The heat opens the hair cuticles, and the oils infuse into the hair strands.
- Shampoo and deep condition the hair afterward.
- Use hot oil treatments at least once every two weeks.
Use moisturizing hair products.
Water is the absolute best source of moisture for the hair. Hair products that best moisturize hair are water-based – they contain water as the primary solvent/ingredient. These water-based products contain emollients that also help keep the hair hydrated. The emollients include light oils such as :
- Jojoba oil
- Coconut oil
- Shea butter
- Argan oil
Effective moisturizing products also contain humectants that help retain moisture and prevent moisture depletion after application. Some of the best humectants are:
- Glycerin
- Hyaluronic acid
Moisturizing hair products are used depending on hair needs. The routine for moisturizing hair will differ depending on individual needs. However, despite this, type 4 hair requires moisturization at least every 3- 7 days.
Buildup and other hair styling products on the hair may prevent effective moisturization. It is advisable to moisturize your hair when clean or with minimal hair products.
Trim split ends
Split ends result from weathering from our styling practices and daily hair care routines. We cannot avoid split ends. However, we can manage them to prevent dry hair. Split ends are frayed ends that occur when the hair cuticle is damaged. Once the cuticles are damaged or frayed, the cortex is left exposed. The hair shaft loses moisture in the environment. Every three or so months, ensure that you trim the split ends.
Protect the hair from loss of moisture.
After you have done all the above to moisturize your hair, it is paramount to ensure that hair stays moisturized and does not lose moisture from your daily practices. To protect your hair from loss of moisture, do the following:
- Sleep in silk or satin bonnets or pillowcases. The satin or silk material does not absorb water or moisture from your hair. This fabric helps keep the moisture in your hair intact at night or as you sleep.
- Cover your hair from too much sun exposure as the hot air pulls moisture from the hair, leaving it dry and lifeless.
- Use moderate heat styling as excessive heat removes moisture from your hair and damages the hair cuticle – the outermost layer of the hair that protects the inner layers from damage and exposure. Once the cuticle is damaged, hair becomes highly porous and loses moisture, leaving it dry and brittle.
- Use synthetic extensions in moderation and moisturize your hair even when wearing synthetic extensions. Synthetic extensions may suck out moisture from your hair with time.
- Another widespread phenomenon that strips away moisture from hair is chlorine water found in swimming pools. To prevent this, wet your hair with soft water and apply hair conditioner, either leave-in or deep conditioner. The conditioner coats the hair shaft and prevents the chlorinated water from getting on or in your hair.
What not to do on dry natural hair
| Don’t | Why? |
| Wash with scalding water | Scalding water damages the hair cuticles and leaves the inner layers of the hair exposed to moisture loss. |
| Use harsh products or products with harsh ingredients | Harsh ingredients such as poor-quality sulfates, alcohol, and harsh detergents strip off the natural oils. |
| Washing hair more than twice a week | Washing the hair too often will strip off natural oils. Sebum is tripped from the hair before it does its function. |
| Sleep with cotton head gears or on cotton pillowcases | Cotton or other fabrics that are not satin or silk absorb moisture from the hair. |
| Use excessive heat | Excessive heat on the hair damages the hair cuticle and exposes the cortex. The hair loses moisture with the exposed cortex. |
Type 4 hair is prone to dryness due to its curly nature. The coils cause the sebum or the hair oils to travel slowly from the root to the tip of the hair strand. The slow movement of the sebum leaves the hair prone to dryness. Using these remedies will go a long way in providing type 4 hair with adequate moisturization.
References
Lee, Y. (2011, November 23). Hair shaft damage from heat and drying time of hair dryer. Retrieved from Pupmed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22148012/
Dias, M. F. (2015, Jan- March). Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. Retrieved from Pupmed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4387693/
Silva, J. C. (2024, June 6). How do I stop my hair from being dry? Retrieved from MedicalNewsToday: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321850
