9 Best Hair Treatments to Remedy Dry, Damaged and Dull Strands
Dealing with dry, dull and unmanageable hair that easily breaks? You’re not alone —especially in winter, when hair-tangling winds, cold, dry air, and even drier indoor heat can wreak havoc on even the most cared-for strands. Lucky for us, the newest breed of hair masks and treatments are not only designed to bring much-needed moisture back to dull and dry strands. They also feed your hair and scalp with much-needed nutrients to repair damage, soften strands, boost hair color and increase shine. But before we dive into the best treatments for your hair, let's get to the root of the problem: what causes dryness and damage, and what can you do to avoid it in the first place?
What Causes Hair to Become Damaged?
As it turns out, there are many components that contribute to hair becoming dry and damaged. One is over-processing the hair with too many chemicals. This happens to those who color or chemically straighten or curl their hair. That’s why Sharon Dorram, master colorist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon, says her main rule of thumb is never to do more than two processes to your hair in the same visit.
Another potential cause? Blow-drying and using hot tools too often. “When your strands heat up too quickly or too much, it zaps the moisture right out, which causes breakage and damage,” says celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. To prevent this, he recommends avoiding using hot tools as much as possible, and when you do, turn the heat setting down so you’re not frying your hair. Protective sprays, such as Oribe's Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray can also come in handy when using hot tools to cut down on the damage.
Other potential causes of dry hair that Dorram points out include frequent and over-shampooing, using too many styling products, overexposure to environmental elements and certain medications.
The Best Hair Treatments to Salvage Dry Hair
To remedy dry hair, hairstylists recommend using a good intensive hair treatment that will replenish your hair’s moisture, seal the cuticle to prevent further moisture loss and damage and increase shine and manageability. “There are so many fantastic options now available to really help give hair its shine back, with treatments at every price point.” says Tina Malhotra, hairstylist at L’Appartement Hair Boudoir in New York City. For best results, she recommends using a hair treatment at least once per week.
When shopping for hair treatments that address dryness, it’s important to keep an eye out for key ingredients. Dorram recommends looking for emollient botanical oils, such as baobab seed oil and other natural oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which, unlike other oils, absorb completely into the hair without feeling heavy or greasy. Additionally, she likes to add vitamin E, which hydrates and locks in moisture.
To help you get started, here are some of the top-rated and recommended hair treatments that remedy dry, damaged strands.
1. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Hair Mask 8 oz
399 reviews
$39.00
2. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (5.07 fl. oz.)
24 reviews
$52.00
3. VIRTUE Recovery Bundle
3 reviews
$86.00
5. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector (3.3 fl. oz.)
22 reviews
$30.00
6. Slip pure silk pillowcase - King (1 piece)
8. Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment 1.5 oz
$40.00
9. Alterna CAVIAR Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-in Heat Protection Spray 4.2 oz
18 reviews
$32.00
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