Experiencing hair breakage, frizz and split ends? 

Sounds like a classic case of hair dryness. Struggling with dry hair is no fun. If you’re one of the many people who use words like straw, tumbleweed or bird’s nest to describe what grows atop your head, take heart: But don't worry, you're not doomed with a dry hair type, it's a condition. And restoring healthy hair is totally achievable.

DRY HAIR CAUSES

Dealing with hair dryness starts with assessing the various causes. Some of the most common include over-washing hair, hair damage from excessive use of heat styling, the toxic formulas of your hair products and chemical-laden hair color.

1. Your Favorite Heat Styling Tool

We know you think you can't live without your beloved curling iron, but more often than not, heat styling is a leading contributor to dry, damaged hair. The best way to reduce damage from your tools is to use them less, but we know that can be tough. At the very least, make sure you use a heat protection spray.

2. Shampooing (& Overwashing) Your Hair

Like washing your face, you may have made washing hair a daily ritual to remove dirt and oil. Unfortunately, this process actually strips your hair and can lead to dry scalp and hair breakage. Moreover, shampoo is made from detergent molecules that are created to attach firmly to water and anything oily, so when you shampoo and rinse, the oily substances – the ones you want and the ones you don’t – are lifted from hair strands and the natural sebum barrier (a waxy lubricant that protects the hair cuticle and keeps it shiny) is destroyed.

3. Bleach and Hair Color

If you dye your hair religiously, you've probably seen a loss in some of your hair's natural shine. Unfortunately, the use of toxic chemicals in hair dye makes dry, dull hair somewhat unavoidable. If you're not up for rocking your natural hair color, try limiting the frequency with which you visit the salon for those highlights.

4. The Environment

If the weather outside is frightful, you may notice that your hair is, too. Extreme temperatures, either hot or cold, can take a toll on your scalp and strands. Where possible, limit your exposure to extreme elements.

Note: If dryness is accompanied by fatigue, intolerance to cold, weakness or hair loss, you should consult your doctor about possible underlying conditions.

THE BIOLOGY BEHIND MOISURE

Here’s the most important thing to understand: In the absence of conditions such as hormone imbalance, birth control pills, pregnancy, and menopause, your body has the mechanism to keep hair and skin optimally moisturized. Sebaceous glands that live in clusters around your hair follicles secrete an oily, waxy substance called sebum to waterproof and lubricate (and perform other wondrous functions related to guarding against bacteria and regulating the consistency of sweat). It’s an important system that in some people can be either over- or underproductive, but for all of us, it’s fragile and can easily be disrupted. And disruption is guaranteed if you use a detergent-based shampoo, and parched hair will never become otherwise. In fact, you’d be better off rinsing with water alone. 

An added benefit is that it conditions while it cleanses, eliminating the need for a second product (and often a third or fourth once you’re out of the shower).

At a time when the trends in hairwear run toward the natural, unfussed “I woke up this way” variety, the intrinsic condition of hair is more important than ever. The idea that you can do more with less is gaining ground for good reason. So next time you’re in the shower, you might take a look at the old ways you’ve been managing your hair and remember that there’s a new way: New Wash.

SHOWER POWER

So what can be done to help with dry hair? Well, it’s likely that your hairdresser tells you to keep shampooing to a minimum because they intuitively understand the problem, and when you shampoo less frequently, you won't deplete more moisture by blow drying and heat-styling as often. That’s a fine start, but why not eliminate shampoo altogether? We don’t mean walking around with greasy, stinky hair; we simply suggest a cleanser that’s more in line with the one you probably use on your face.

When you shampoo less frequently, you won't deplete more moisture by blow drying and heat-styling as often. That’s a fine start, but why not eliminate shampoo altogether?

Hairstory New Wash is just such a cleanser. It has all the cleansing benefits of shampoo but none of the risks. Instead of detergent, it is formulated with an ingenious blend of essential oils and saturated fats that dissolve the impurities you don’t want while respecting the sebum that you need. An added benefit is that it conditions while it cleanses, eliminating the need for a second product (and often a third or fourth once you’re out of the shower).

At a time when the trends in hairwear run toward the natural, unfussed “I woke up this way” variety, the intrinsic condition of hair is more important than ever. The idea that you can do more with less is gaining ground for good reason. So next time you’re in the shower, you might take a look at the old ways you’ve been managing your hair and remember that there’s a new way: New Wash.