Dry hair can often lead to damaged hair. If your hair is damaged, it’s likely also dry. While hair dryness and hair damage are not the same, they are closely related. Understanding this connection is crucial to maintaining great and healthy hair.
Fortunately, preventing damage, dryness, and shedding isn’t as challenging as it might seem. It’s more about practicing good hair care habits while avoiding harmful ones.
Below, you’ll learn more about the difference between damaged and dry hair, the reasons your hair gets dry and damaged, and harmful hair care habits to avoid. We’ll also discuss ways to fix damaged or dry hair to promote healthy hair growth.
Comparison of Dry Hair and Damaged Hair in Men
As mentioned, damaged and dry hair are not the same. Each type of hair damage has unique challenges and recommended treatments. Let’s take a closer look.
Dry Hair
Dry hair affects the feel, texture, and appearance of your hair. The loss of moisture and oil prevents hair from maintaining its shine and smoothness. Hair protects itself through a thin layer of oils or lipids, known as the 18-MEA lipid layer. This lipid layer acts as a shield, protecting the hair cuticle from harm while allowing it to resist water. When this layer gets damaged, your hair can absorb water more easily, becoming hydrophilic.
Although it might seem beneficial, absorbing too much water can make your hair stretch, fracture, and lose strength. To protect your hair, use products that prevent dryness and protect your hair’s natural oils or sebum.
Damaged Hair
Damaged hair refers to hair that has been broken. Although it doesn’t necessarily mean the hair is dry, dry hair is more susceptible to damage. Dry hair can cause fractures, split ends, and cracks in the shafts. Other causes of hair damage include chemicals, heat, hair clips, ties, and tight hats that stretch or pull the follicles.
Unfortunately, this damage often cannot be undone. However, in time, damaged hair will fall out and be replaced by new, healthy hair, provided the hair follicle is not damaged. Until then, you’ll need to manage with what you have.
Characteristics of Damaged Hair
Regardless of your hair type, damage is always a possibility. Hair damage can affect any hair color, from black to blonde. However, some hair types are more vulnerable to certain types of damage. Knowing your hair type can help you prevent damage. The four major hair types are wavy, straight, coily, and curly. Damaged hair may exhibit split ends, breakage, lack of volume, and a dull appearance. However, this varies depending on your hair type.
Straight Hair
Straight hair is more vulnerable to breakage. This problem can occur on all types of straight hair, however, there is a greater risk for fine hair, since it is more fragile. Using a curling iron or perming can also cause loss of oil on hair and can lead to hair breakage.
So, try to be very careful when styling your hair. Also, don’t forget that straight hair is finer, which means that you have to protect it from sunlight and other causes of damage. Furthermore, if you have fair skin, then you should let a dermatologist examine your scalp since those who have fair hair are likely the ones who require skin care.
Wavy Hair
Compared to coarse hair, fine hair can break easily. Sometimes this is because of the hair care products that you use. Sadly, wavy hair can be the worst, although it is fine, however, it can also be vulnerable to tangles.
Once your wavy hair gets damaged, split ends will occur and your hair will look brittle, dry, and dull. To prevent any further damage, try to avoid deep conditioning, hydrating, and friction damage caused by ponytails.
Curly Hair
Damaged curly hair can lose its volume and shine, and at the same time, it can become frizzy. Additionally, it can become more vulnerable to friction damage, since each follicle will be rubbing against each other at odd angles.
Think of this as a tangled headphone cord that’s too fragile. To prevent future damage, you can use a wide-tooth comb to detangle your hair and allow it to air dry to protect its oil and keratin.
Coily Hair
Since it goes by different names, you might confuse it with curly hair. However, compared with curly hair, coiled hair has more frizz. Generally, this is the thickest and most coarse hair type. Aside from the middle layer or cortex, outer layer or cuticle, it also has an inner layer or a medulla layer.
Unfortunately, all of these can get damaged if you use straightening products and processes since this can break the hair. To help in repairing your hair, you should use conditioning treatments. If you need to use a flat iron, then be sure to use heat-protectant products.
Causes of Damaged and Dry Hair in Men
Damaged and dry hair result from different issues, although some may overlap. Extrinsic factors like harmful hair products and excessive sun exposure, along with intrinsic factors like an unhealthy lifestyle and poor nutrition, can cause dry hair and damage. Knowing your hair’s texture and scalp issues can help you care for and style your hair properly.
Common intrinsic factors causing hair damage include nutritional deficiencies and certain medications or health conditions, such as hormonal imbalances. Nutritional deficiencies prevent hair from getting necessary vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for growth. For instance, iron deficiency is linked to hair shedding, making hair look patchy and thin. Medications like anticoagulants, beta-blockers, and retinoids can also thin hair.
These factors affect hair growth rate, protein content, and texture. Intrinsic factors also impact hair health, contributing to dullness and temporary loss, including telogen effluvium. External factors like applying harmful hair products, using heat styling devices, blow-drying at high heat, smoking, and too much sun exposure can damage hair. Avoid these habits to protect your hair’s protective lipid layer and prevent dryness and damage.
Preventive Measures and Treatments
Maintaining healthy hair requires understanding the difference between dry and damaged hair, knowing the causes, and adopting good hair care habits. By avoiding harmful practices and using appropriate products, you can keep your hair looking great and healthy. Here are some practical tips to prevent and treat dry and damaged hair:
- Use Mild Shampoos: Harsh shampoos can strip your hair of its natural oils. Choose shampoos formulated for dry or damaged hair, and avoid washing your hair too frequently.
- Condition Regularly: Use a good quality conditioner after every wash to replenish moisture and smooth the hair cuticle.
- Avoid Heat Styling: Limit the use of heat styling tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers. When you do use them, apply a heat protectant spray to minimize damage.
- Trim Regularly: Regular trims can help remove split ends and prevent further breakage.
- Protect from the Sun: Wear a hat or use hair products with UV protection to shield your hair from the sun’s damaging rays.
- Healthy Diet: Ensure your diet includes plenty of vitamins and minerals essential for hair health, such as vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your hair and scalp hydrated.
Conclusion
Maintaining healthy hair involves understanding the difference between dry and damaged hair, identifying the causes, and adopting good hair care practices. By avoiding harmful habits and using the right products, you can keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
Neighborhood Cut & Shave offers haircuts and shaves. For more information, call us at (212) 929-5555.
Recent Comments