Dry, frizzy hair can be unmanageable and have a lack lustre appearance. On the other hand, healthy hair has an outer layer that contains natural oil to keep it moist and shiny. When this layer is damaged – and this can happen due to several reasons – the hair begins to look and feel dull, unhealthy and dry. Some of the reasons that can lead to dry, unhealthy hair are:

Whatever be the specific cause for your dry hair, there are a few home remedies that can help you combat this problem.

Vinegar

Vinegar acts like a conditioner on dry hair; it also has the desirable effect of removing dandruffthat may be contributing to the lack lustre appearance of your hair. Take about half a cup of vinegar and mix in 2 cups of water. Use this liquid as a conditioner after you have rinsed the shampoo out of your hair. Allow it to stay on for a few minutes and then rinse off completely with water. You could also try some more home remedies for deep-conditioned hair. Here is how you can get healthy hair and skin with apple cider vinegar. 

Eggs

Eggs are rich in proteins, fatty acids as well as the fat-soluble vitamins and this makes them an excellent nutrient; besides, they also have a cleansing and conditioning effect, which means they can work wonders on dry hair. Collect the white of a single egg and mix in 3 tablespoons of water; apply this mixture onto your hair, leave it on for about 30 minutes and then rinse out thoroughly.

Eggs work even better in combination with a little vinegar and olive oil. Take the contents of 3 eggs, mix in a single teaspoon of vinegar and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix thoroughly to get a viscous liquid; apply this to your hair and cover the hair for about half-an-hour with a plastic cap. Wash out with a mild shampoo and water to get hair that has a healthy moisture content and a lively shine.

Another remedy that works well is eggs with almond oil and curd. Beat 2 eggs, mix in about 2 tablespoons of almond oil and half a cup of curd; stir to get a pasty mass and massage this into the hair and scalp. Cover with a plastic cap for about 30 minutes and then wash with warm water and a mild shampoo. Here are more hair packs with egg to help reduce hair fall. 

Vegetable oils

Dry hair often tends to get brittle too and this causes it to break easily. Any vegetable oil – olive, coconut or almond – can be used to moisturise such dry hair and give it strength. Warm a little oil to a temperature that feels comfortable to the skin. Then slightly dampen your hair and apply this warm oil all over. Cover with a warm towel and leave it on for about an hour. Use a mild shampoo to wash hair and when the hair has dried, you’ll find it has a healthy look and texture.

For a greater moisturising effect, mix in a teaspoon of honey into the warm oil.

Coconut oil in combination with curry leaves (karipatta) can also work wonders for dry hair. Drop in a few washed and dried curry leaves into a few tablespoons of coconut oil, warm for 2 minutes and when the mixture has cooled, massage it gently onto the scalp and hair. Cover with a warm towel for about 20 minutes and then wash with a mild shampoo. Read here to know more about other beauty benefits of coconut. 

Aloe vera

We all know that aloe vera is a great moisturiser for the skin but it works equally well on hair too. Especially for those with dry hair, aloe vera treatment can help give a shine and soft texture that makes frizzy hair manageable. This moisturising effect on hair works even better when used in combination with other ingredients. For example, you can make a paste with 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 4 tablespoons of aloe vera gel and 3 tablespoons of curd and leave this on your hair for about half an hour. Or, you could collect a few hibiscus flowers, grind to a thick paste and to 2 teaspoons of this, and mix in half a cup of aloe vera gel and one teaspoon of olive oil. Read other benefits of aloe vera for your skin and hair. Also, know how tamarind or imli is beneficial for hair and skin. 

Tips

Along with these home remedies, you should also pay attention to how you handle your hair. Do you brush or comb hair when it is wet? This could cause hair to lose its strength, grow dry and brittle.

Shampooing hair very often to give it a squeaky clean feeling is also bad; it can deplete the natural oil present in the hair, making it dry and weak.

The hair dryer may be a boon to those hard-pressed for time; but every time you blow dry your hair; remember that you are also paving the path for dry and brittle hair. Use the lower setting for the dryer, and use it sparingly to just get the moisture down a little from where it can dry naturally on its own.

With a few changes in the way you manage your hair and these home remedies, you can soon bid goodbye to your dry hair woes. Know how to manage bad hair days better, here. Dealing with a bad hair day is never easy and it can be such a mood spoiler.  It is a cause of inconvenience especially when you are going to be on your toes throughout the day for long hours. Frizzy, greasy, dry or simply unmanageable hair make for the dreadful ‘hair-hassles.’ Here is how you can manage and style hair on such bad days.
Avoid leaving your hair open on such days. A tight bun may make your hair look unnecessarily flat if your hair turns greasy quickly. Tie your hair neatly into a plait. You could stick to a regular one or make a French braid for a usual day at work or a causal outing too. On such a day if you have a social event or occasion lined up, leave your hair plaited for a couple of hours or even a night before if you can. Open your hair to find natural waves and curls.

Tie a bandanna or scarf

To move attention from a greasy or excessively dry scalp, tie a bandanna or scarf on your head. You could tie your hair into a loose bun, a ponytail or simply leave it open if you could manage it that way. Opt for cool colours or funky prints when you are out with friends or at home. However, it is preferred that you skip this for a formal environment.

Pin it down

A hairpin or a couple of them could come in handy to look sleek even during a bad hair day. Just part your hair to one side and ensure it is knot-free. Once done, twist your hair neatly and pin it lower, near your nape. It is an on-the-go hairstyle especially if you are attending professional meetings.

Pick a suitable leave-in conditioner

Look for a leave-in conditioner suitable for your hair type. A leave-in conditioner is an easy way to help manage and protect your hair. Also, ensure your conditioners are resistant to sun exposure and UV rays.

Consult a hairstylist for the right hairstyling products

Ask your personal hairstylist to help you pick a hairstyling product for your hair type and cut. This way the hair gel, spray or mousse would tame down and hold your hair for as many hours.

Side-parting your hair works

For limp or thin hair, flipping your hair to the side or doing a side-parting gives an illusion of natural bounce. You could also try the upside down hair flip for your hair to look healthy.

Get a quick trim

Go in for a hair trim on that day to get rid of your split ends. Regular hair trims will keep such bad hair days away. Another way of hiding your split ends is simply brushing your hair inwards and lightly without pulling them too hard.

Ditch the blow dryer or use a cooler setting

In case you have to set your hair using a blow dryer, ensure you use a cool setting for this. The blow dryer may dry out moisture from your hair and may cause further damage, making it look dull.