Why is my hair so dry? This is a commonplace query, though reasons for dryness vary. External factors like the weather (as in, the arid months of winter), product choice, and styling habits factor in, but hormonal shifts and natural texture matter, too. With such a range of potential causes of dryness comes a range of solutions, as well—a cocktail of which will likely leave you with more nourished and manageable lengths, even in circumstances outside your control. We’ve tapped stylists and specialists to help identify what’s sapping your strands, and what to do about it.
What are the common causes of dry hair?
Your dry hair is a mystery that only you can solve, with a little help, of course. “There are many causes for dry hair, including winter weather, heat styling, age, environment, health problems, or just a naturally dry scalp,” says Dr. Yael Halaas MD, FACS, a double board-certified plastic surgeon and hair restoration specialist who tackles scalp issues in-office with treatments like Hydrafacial Keravive (a circulation-boosting purification process) and at home with an emphasis on regular care. “Our scalps can be as complex as our faces,” she says.
In the salon, stylists cite familiar reasons for damage to the strand itself. “High-heat styling tends to be the biggest culprit for hair drying out, not to mention holding sprays, or if a heat protectant is not being used,” says Yusef Williams, New York City–based hairstylist to clients like Rihanna and Bella Hadid. Dyeing and straightening treatments add to the problem. “Hair that is color-treated or chemically treated becomes very vulnerable during the process,” he notes. The protective cuticle that encases each strand of hair become porous during color treatments, making tresses more susceptible to breakage and general dryness and frizz. Layering on products minus a routine scalp detox can strip moisture, too. “Hydration cannot penetrate through the buildup, and over time, the hair can become brittle and dry from the lack of hydration,” he explains. Products that rebalance the microbiome and pH levels, like Nutrafol’s new Scalp Essence, encourage healthy scalp function.
How can you hydrate different hair textures?
Reparative masks, conditioning washes, hair oils, heat protectants, and serums have the potential to topically address moisture levels when tailored to your hair type. “For my clients with textured hair, I highly recommend a leave-in hair treatment,” says hairstylist Dhairius Thomas, who counts Serena Williams and Ziwe as clients. “If the hair is in a protective style, use a hydrating oil with a nozzle—Wild Growth hair oil is one of my favorites.” For fine hair types, Thomas likes to add a lightweight serum while hair is still damp for “shine and moisture without weighing the hair down.” Conditioning treatments are considered a must for dyed or processed hair (Dr. Halaas loves them, too), and Erin Ahern and Caitlin Carnahan, who cofounded Chicago’s City and Shore Studios, factor it into the salon experience. “I always recommend a deep conditioning treatment after a color service to replenish any moisture that has been lost,” says Carnahan, with Ahern adding that the Iles Formula mask they’ve been testing is “absolute perfection.”
For many artists, their own hair serves as a testing ground. “Personally, I have thick and dyed blonde hair, so I like to use a mask or treatment every time I condition—but I excessively rinse out,” says Los Angeles–based hairstylist Matthew Collins, who works with clients like Mandy Moore, Kristen Bell, and Camila Mendes. He also uses hair oil between washes on the lower ends of lengths and counts the K18 nourishing molecular repair mask as a favorite product. Williams, too, is part of the K18 club (he’s now an ambassador to the brand), the mask boasting a patented peptide technology, along with Sephora’s clean seal of approval. “I use it for all hair types,” he says. “It really penetrates and addresses any damage that tends to make the hair feel dry or brittle.”
Be Mindful With Your Wash-Day Routine
Your washing practices matter, too. “I tell all my patients to never over-wash their hair, use very little to low heat, and always finish rinsing with cold water so that the hair shaft is locking in the nutrients,” says Halaas. As for how often to shampoo different hair types, Williams calls this “a Goldilocks scenario” that requires self-evaluation. “You have to get it just right,” he explains. “Heavy product users and people with buildup can wash more frequently and will benefit from using a clarifying detox shampoo periodically.” Thomas agrees that detoxing has its place, even if it seems counterintuitive, and that “curly or natural textured hair can go longer than a week before wash day,” while finer hair types should wash when natural hair oils start to weigh down strands. “Your scalp tells you when it’s ready to be washed,” notes Ahern, who says that greasy roots are the tell. “That’s a sign that the scalp is lubricated, and now anything beyond that will become build-up.” Carnahan suggests looking for moisturizing ingredients like hydrolyzed silk and hydrolyzed rice proteins like those found in Viori’s waterless bars, which work well for all textures thanks to rice water (TikTok’s favorite hair elixir). Consider your tap water, too. “I have just started to use a Jolie Filtered Showerhead that helps purify the water coming out of my shower,” says Collins of the attachment that’s quickly gained a cult following for removing harsh chlorine, not to mention heavy metals and contaminants.
High-Tech Heat Tools and Protectants are Essential
Since heat styling is one of the main causes of dryness, intelligent tools and protective serums are essential. “I myself love a good blowout,” says Halaas. “However, I always make sure to use a good heat protectant.” Ahern describes heat-protective barriers as “SPF for your hair.” Olaplex’s No. 9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum is silicone-free, antioxidant-infused, and designed to work for all hair types. In terms of how to balance your heat styling, Collins recommends a 50/50 approach: “50 percent of the time use styling tools, then the other 50 percent let your hair dry naturally or diffuse, so you avoid extra heat damage,” he says. Then, of course, come the sources of heat themselves, and he’s a Dyson loyalist. “The Supersonic blow-dryer focuses on high airflow to dry rather than high heat,” he explains, adding that it measures heat 40 times a second to ensure it never reaches damaging temperatures. The same tech is infused into the brand’s Airwrap curler, which Thomas likes for its ability to skip a step: “Tools like the Dyson Airwrap and the Tymo Ionic straightening hair brush are great for styling dry hair because both work without additional blowdrying,” he explains.
Accessories are not an afterthought
Sometimes, preventing dry hair comes down to the accessories. “I love using my Aquis after shampooing,” says Williams of the microfiber wrap. “It leaves behind the perfect amount of moisture in the hair and sets the stage for any treatments and cuts my drying time when styling.” Even the brush you use matters. “For dry or damaged hair, choosing a brush is crucial,” says Thomas, who likes Wetbrush Go Green Oil-Infused Shine Brush “because it evenly distributes natural oils and locks in moisture—just do not use this brush with a blow dryer.” Ahern encourages incorporating silk scrunchies and pillowcases into day-to-night routines to help avoid further damage. “You should also be using a silk pillowcase to preserve the health of the shafts of your hair,” Halaas confirms, noting that she likes DefenAge Mulberry Silk Pillowcase at home. However, Collins has a different preference: “I love a satin pillowcase,” he says “I find it tangles my hair much less than silk.”
