We live in one of the driest states in the nation. Utah's dry, cold and windy weather can leave you with dry, brittle, fly-away hair that looks dull and lifeless. Dry hair is harder to curl and breaks easily.
Harsh weather is not the only culprit. Chemical processes — bleach, dye, perms and straighteners — change the protein structure of hair and weaken it. Improper use of a curling iron, flat iron, hot rollers or hair dryers also damage and dry.
You may have naturally dry hair due to heredity. Regardless of the cause, the purpose of all you do is to keep it well lubricated. Gentle is a key word.
Brush hair daily to refresh hairstyle and distribute oil down to dry ends. Brush gently and briefly. Take special care when combing wet hair.
Finger-massage your scalp daily but gently, to stimulate circulation and oil glands. The benefits are debatable, but if you like the relaxed feeling that results, it can't hurt.
Use a mild shampoo for dry hair. They often contain lanolin or a vegetable oil, such as olive oil. Cream shampoos contain more oil than liquid shampoos. Protein shampoos are not necessary. Avoid sulfur-containing anti-dandruff shampoos on processed hair.
Wash hair once a week, no more than twice if necessary. Use less shampoo and lather only once. Rinse your hair until it squeaks. Then rinse again.
Follow each shampoo with an instant conditioner, making sure you run it thoroughly through the ends. Conditioner fills in tiny cracks and smooths the surface of the hair, coating it with a water-retaining film. Rinse.
For a final rinse that brightens without drying, brew a cup of chamomile tea. It comes loose and in tea bags. Strain and cool before using as a rinse.
Whenever possible, let your hair air dry. If you must blow dry, set your dryer on low or medium, never on high if hair is dry. Use a wide nozzle dryer to spread heat evenly over a larger area and lessen its intensity. Hold the nozzle at least six inches from your hair and keep it moving. Stop while hair is still slightly damp. Over drying will aggravate dryness.
Limit your use of hot rollers and the curling iron or flat iron. Save them for special occasions or when time is limited. Apply a mild setting lotion for protection from the heat. Use end papers with rollers.
Avoid or limit the use of hair spray.
Try to avoid hair dyes, bleach, permanents and straighteners. If you must process, use a conditioner before and after. Use a soft permanent only.
Dry hair responds quite well to hot oil treatments. Before you shampoo, warm a small amount of light vegetable oil or olive oil. (You can also use one of the many convenient and ready-to-use commercial hot oil treatments on the market.) Massage the oil gently into your hair and scalp. Wrap your head in a comfortably hot, wet towel and cover with a plastic bag. Leave oil on for 15 minutes to one hour. Remove the bag and shampoo two times to remove all oil. Rinse.
Ideally, a wash-and-wear style is best. Avoid hair styles that require daily blow-drying. Short to medium-length cuts require less exposure to a blow-dryer than long hair. Trim ends every 6-8 weeks to improve the shape, give more body to dry hair and eliminate split ends.
In winter, get rid of the frizzies and static electricity. Rub the palms of your hands with a little oil. Smooth it over your hair.Protect your hair with hairdressing cream. Wear a hat in the sun and a bathing cap swimming. Shampoo and condition after.
Judith Rasband is director of the Conselle Institute of Image Management and author of numerous publications on dress and image. Contact her at 801-224-1207 or judith@conselle.com.