Dry hair are basically a result of loss of moisture and oil content in the hair. They look very unsightly and you feel like getting rid of them at the earliest. Dry hair lack shine and smooth texture, making it difficult to manage them. There are different reasons that can cause your hair to dry.
If your hair has become thin, dry and dull, this may be an indication that it is time for you to change your lifestyle and pay more attention to what you’re putting, or not putting, into your body. Unhealthy hair can be an indicator that you have certain medical problems that you may not be aware of.
The use of hard water for bathing can cause dry hair and a dry scalp. Are you aware that hard water can trigger scalp eczema or dandruff, thinning hair, and dry flaky skin? You need to be careful when you go to a salon and have your hair treated. It could be possible that hard water is used.
Dry Hair Causes
Dry hair can be due to over exposure to environmental conditions or certain minerals like chlorine. It can also be due to over shampooing or some health problems. Given below are some of the common causes of dry hair.
Wrong Maintenance
Blow drying, coloring hair, perming, bleaching, etc has become very common today. Frequent use of any of the above techniques on hair, can make your hair lose the natural moisture and hence, turn them dry. Frequent shampooing is also one of the reasons for losing moisture from the hair. Moreover, even the type of shampoo that you use, decides the texture of your hair. Make sure you use a very mild shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair.
Over Exposure
Our hair are susceptible to any changes in the environment. If you are living in a climate with dry heat, less humidity and very sunny, then chances are there, that your hair will become dry. Excessive exposure of the hair to sun and wind, can also make them dry. There are certain minerals that affect the moisture content of the hair. If you swim in water which contains chlorine, then this chlorinated water can damage your hair. Even the nature of the water that you use for washing your hair, can cause them to turn dry.
Health Problems
There are a few health disorders like anorexia nervosa, hypothyroidism, etc. that can cause dry hair. Anorexic people starve their body to avoid weight gain and hence, their body is deprived of essential nutrients required by the it. This starving causes deficiency of nutrients, that are necessary to maintain the luster and moisture of hair. Dry hair can be one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism happens when the body does not produce enough amount of thyroid.
Medications
Your medical treatment for certain disease or health problem, can also cause dry hair. Medications like blood thinners, birth control pills, antidepressants, cancer treatment drugs, etc. are such medications, that can lead to dry hair.
Environmental Dryness
The climate you live in can also dry out your hair. Areas with lots of sun, dry heat and little humidity, for instance, will definitely make your hair drier than tropical, humid locales. Likewise, if you’re an outdoorsy person who likes to spend time in the sun, wind, ocean or pool, your hair also risks being dry. You can cut down on the damage to your hair from the elements by wearing a hat while outdoors and always using a swim cap when swimming in chlorinated water.
Anorexia
Because people with anorexia engage in self-starving to stay dangerously thin, their bodies are denied the nutrients they need to function. This includes the nutrients necessary to maintain luster, shine and softness in their hair. Dry hair (along with dry skin and hair loss) is a common side effect of anorexia, and one that may manifest early on.
Hypothyroidism
This is a condition in which the body produces too little of the thyroid hormone. Dry, brittle and thin hair is an early symptom of hypothyroidism, along with weakness, fatigue, depression and joint or muscle pain. If left untreated, the condition causes the body to slow its functions, leading to mental and physical sluggishness and other symptoms that can range from mild to severe.
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism is having too little parathyroid hormone, which causes blood levels of calcium to fall and phosphorus to rise. This can lead to dry hair, scaly skin, cataracts, muscles cramps and spasms, seizures and more. The most common cause of Hypoparathyroidism is injury to the parathyroid glands during head and neck surgery.