Dry Hair

Most of us don't realise how strong human hairs are. But not taking care of your hair can still wreak havoc on its health. Perhaps you have noticed that your hair isn't as shiny as it used to be? Or perhaps your hair has become brittle? These are all signs that it is time to take better care of your hair before it's too late. Proteins, called Keratin, make up almost 90% of a human hair. They are tough proteins with a fibrous structure. In healthy human beings hair has a moisture level of about 10%, in dry hair this level is obviously a lot lower. Increasing the moisture levels of your hair and skin on your scalp requires a bit of discipline, but it is definitely doable.

Let's look at a few possible causes of dry hair :

1) Washing your hair too many times a week. Most people should only wash their hair every other day. People in occupations that require thorough cleaning of your body are advised to wash their hair daily.

2) Poor diet. This is one of those things that causes many problems. A diet lacking vegetables, fruits and enough water will have a negative effect on your skin and hair. Moisture levels will drop, and your skin and hair becomes fragile.

3) Check the humidity levels of the rooms you spend most of your time in. Having too little moisture in the air does your hair no good. A humidifier might be the answer you are looking for if room humidity is lower than 40%.

4) Overexposure to UV light. Don't spend too much time in the Sun. Your hair will become dry, and it's bad for your skin as well.

5) Stress and/or a lack of sleep. Stress is well known to cause many nasty health problems, it also affects the appearance of your hair. Getting enough sleep, but not too much, will allow your body to restore itself. 7 hours of sleep are optimal.

6) Aggressive shampoo. Don't underestimate the effect of chemicals used in certain shampoos. They could be the cause of your dry hair. Try exchanging your shampoo for a milder one and see if your hair regains its moisture levels.

7) Hair dryers. Don't abuse them. Some experts even recommend not using them at all. They seriously dry your hair and skin on your head.

The above causes of dry hair apply to most situations, and you should be able to find a remedy for your personal situation by trying the things mentioned above.