What Is a Good Treatment for Dry Hair?

Dry hair is hair that lacks enough oil and moisture to retain shine and health. Dry hair is caused by harsh topical agents or overwashing, environmental dryness or pollutants, malnutrition or illness. Dry hair can be remedied through proper topical care and nutrition.

Topical Solutions for Dry Hair

• Shampoo could be the culprit to your dry hair. Shampoo rinses away protective oils that condition your hair, so consider using a shampoo designed for dry or damaged hair or limit washing your hair to every other day.

  Always use a conditioner after washing and consider using leave-in conditioners for prolonged effects. Hair conditioner adds moisture to hair and conditions the cuticles to prevent split ends.

  For extremely dry or brittle hair, mayonnaise offers a heavy conditioning solution. Leave the mayonnaise in your hair between five minutes and an hour.

  Limit the heat that your hair is subjected to by reducing the use of hair dryers, curling irons and flat irons. Heat not only dries the hair out but can also contribute to brittleness.

  For swimmers, chlorine dries out hair, so consider wearing a cap or rubbing olive oil on your hair before swimming.

  For shiny, healthy hair, spray beer on your hair after you have shampooed and your hair has dried. The beer odor disappears quickly.

  A trip to the salon for professional treatment is also beneficial. The salon professional will apply a hot oil treatment or a steam treatment with creams and oils that will dramatically add moisture to your hair.

  Scalp massage is beneficial for treating dry hair as it helps stimulate the scalp's oil glands. Use your fingertips to rub your scalp, gently but firmly. You can also massage the scalp with olive oil or other hair oil for added moisturizing benefits.

Diet and Nutrition for Treating Dry Hair

• A multivitamin may be beneficial if you lack adequate nutrition.

  Insufficient amounts of omega-3 essential fatty acids in the diet can cause coarse, brittle hair. Foods rich in omega-3 include salmon, walnuts and flaxseed.

  Vitamin B is particularly imperative to healthy, lustrous hair. A vitamin B-rich diet will help increase your hair's shine, luster and growth. Vitamin B6, folic acid, niacin and vitamin B12 carry oxygen needed for hair strength and growth to the scalp and hair follicles. Avoid vitamin B deficiencies by consuming natural food sources or taking a vitamin supplement.