Having healthy, hydrated hair is the key to beautiful styling and luscious locks. Unfortunately, many people suffer from dry, brittle hair that lacks moisture and is more prone to breakage — but that’s not something you have to live with! There are some steps you can take right now to restore your hair’s moisture and keep it hydrated.
Prevent dryness by hydrating hair
Ideally, your scalp should produce natural oils that travel down the hair shafts and keep them hydrated. Sometimes, however, these oils are not enough to properly moisturize your hair, leaving it feeling dry, dull, and damaged. In these cases, you must take matters into your own hands and provide additional moisture to your hair.
What causes a lack of moisture in hair?
Several factors can contribute to dry, brittle hair. They include:
- Using harsh shampoos, conditioners, and styling products
- Frequent heat styling or coloring
- Dry, hot climate conditions
- Chlorinated water from swimming pools and hot tubs
- Washing your hair too frequently
How to prevent dry hair
If you’re using a lot of coloring treatments, try to take breaks in between sessions so your hair can recover. A balayage look can help make this more feasible for you. If you must use heating tools such as blow-dryers, curling irons, and flat irons, consider applying a thermal protective product beforehand.
You should also look for shampoos without harsh chemicals that can strip away moisture and damage your hair further. Additionally, if you often swim in chlorinated pools or hot tubs, consider using a swim cap, and always rinse your hair afterward with cool water.
How to hydrate hair
Using the right conditioner is perhaps the No. 1 way to keep your hair hydrated. Look for products with hydrating ingredients, such as silk peptides, hyaluronic acid, bio ceramide molecules, and the RF TriEnergy Complex® by Rodan + Fields.
Best ways to moisturize hair depending on your hair type
If you have curly tresses, aim to wash your hair no more than once or twice a week. You should also use hydrating masks frequently. Dense conditioning treatments are also a good idea for those with curly and wavy hair as they help to keep the cuticles closed and lock in moisture.
For those with fine and straight hair, it’s important to use lightweight products that won’t weigh down your strands. To hydrate this hair type, you should also avoid washing your hair too frequently. Using a dry shampoo between washes can help to prevent it from becoming excessively oily while allowing you to wash your hair less frequently.
Hydration treatment for hair
Try using an oil treatment or scalp treatment after washing your hair to help seal in moisture. These regimen treatments penetrate deeper into the hair than a conventional conditioner, so they can help to add moisture back from within.
How to keep hair moisturized
Once you’ve added moisture back to your hair, it’s important to keep it there by avoiding habits that can lead to dryness. Use protective measures like a satin scarf or bonnet before bed, and avoid any harsh brushing or styling techniques that can cause your hair to break and become brittle.
How long does it take to hydrate hair?
The length of time it takes to hydrate your hair depends largely on the severity of the damage. Generally speaking, it can take several months for dry hair to become fully hydrated and healthy again. However, with diligent care and the right treatments, you should start to see a gradual improvement in your hair’s texture and hydration level within a few weeks.
Best R+F moisturizers for dry hair
Rodan + Fields is committed to providing products that help restore and maintain your hair’s health and hydration. That’s why we have developed a line of moisturizing products specifically designed to nourish dry, damaged hair.
MOISTURE+ Regimen
The new Moisture+ Regimen helps improve scalp health while replenishing + repairing dry, brittle strands for softer, silkier, more manageable hair—perfect for those with dry, curly, coily, thick or damaged hair.
DEFINE+ Curl Cream
DEFINE+ Curl Cream is an all-in-one styling cream for curly hair that adds definition and shine, helping to achieve soft, healthy locks.
DEFRIZZ+ Oil Treatment
DEFRIZZ+ Oil Treatment is a lightweight hair oil restores shine, softness, and hydration for less frizz and more manageability.
How to apply moisturizers to your hair
Each step of the Moisture+ Regimen should be applied differently for the best results. To use our Moisture+ Conditioning Mask, massage into hair from scalp to ends. Wait 5-10 minutes before rinsing. Then, the DETANGLE+ Leave-In Treatment should be applied to clean damp hair, starting with a small amount and adding more if needed, without rinsing.
The DEFRIZZ+ Oil Treatment should be worked sparingly into damp hair before styling. You can also smooth it through dry hair to obtain a shiny finish. It’s a great option for use on the scalp and hair as a pre-shampoo treatment, too.
To use our DEFINE+ Curl Cream, work the product through towel-dried hair, applying it from the roots to the ends before diffusing or air drying. This product can also be applied to dry hair for a quick curl refresh.
How often should you moisturize your hair?
The frequency of your moisturizing routine will depend on the type and condition of your hair. If you have dry, damaged, or curly hair, you may want to moisturize it each time you wash it. For those with oily, fine, or straight hair, a bi-weekly moisturizing routine may be enough.
FAQ about how to moisturize dry hair
Still have questions about moisturizing dry hair? Here’s a quick look at some of the most commonly asked questions we get here at Rodan + Fields.
What are the signs of dry hair?
Signs of dry hair can include brittleness, split ends, frizz, and lack of shine.
Is it better to moisturize hair wet or dry?
It’s generally best to moisturize your hair when it’s wet as this will help the product to spread more evenly and penetrate the strands more effectively.
What if I’m not seeing results?
If you find that your hair remains dry or brittle after a few weeks of incorporating a new routine, you may need to moisturize it more often.
Ultimately, learning what works best for your hair is a process of trial and error. Give it time, and don’t be afraid to adjust your moisturizing routine as needed. With a bit of patience and a helping hand from Rodan + Fields, you can achieve the hydrated, healthy hair you desire.
