Help for Dry, Brittle Hair & Nails

Dry hair and nails are not just annoying---they can also cause damage and breakage. You're trying to get that perfect hairstyle, but your hair is just too dry and flyaway. Snags on your brittle nails make working uncomfortable. If these scenarios sound familiar, you need to get some moisture on your hair and nails, and evaluate the way you are caring for them. A few simple efforts can give you successful results.

Help for Hair

• Genetics can dictate what kind of hair you have, be it thin, oily, curly or dry. But genetics aside, dry hair can also be a result of hair products, how well you care for your hair and even the environment. When it comes to choosing products that will help dryness, look at the ingredients. Do not use anything that contains alcohol, as this will only dry out your hair more. Look for products that have water as one of the first ingredients. Use a mild shampoo with a dry-hair formula. Dandruff shampoos often double as shampoos for dry hair. When you put conditioner into your hair, focus on the ends of the hair. If your hair is extremely dry and flyaway, consider using a leave-in conditioner. Most people don't need to wash their hair every day. Washing strips the hair of natural oils that keep it moisturized. Consider washing your hair every other day, or three times a week.

  Heat damages hair and dries it out. Limit your use of heated styling tools, such as blow dryers, curling irons and flat irons. If you must use them regularly, don't use them on the hottest setting, and keep the tool moving through the hair. Let your hair air-dry instead of blow-drying it, or wait until your hair is just damp to blow dry it. This will lessen the amount of time you use direct heat. Extreme weather conditions also can dry out your hair. Wear a hat or hood if you are going to be out in the sun, strong wind or cold.

Help for Nails

• Dry, brittle nails are often a result of excessive wetting and drying. An easy solution is to wear gloves if you clean often, or work in an environment where you often need to wash and dry your hands. Apply lotion to your nails regularly, making sure to rub lotion or petroleum jelly into the cuticles as well. People who work in hair salons often need to wear rubber or latex gloves when they are working with dyes, solutions and other chemicals. Nails can also become brittle from rough treatment. Wear work gloves if you do manual labor. Keep your nails trimmed, and gently file any snags. Smooth, well-shaped nails will help prevent further breaking or splitting. For some people, taking the vitamin biotin helps strengthen nails.