How to Treat Dry and Brittle Hair

Color treatments, poor nutrition, lack of sunlight, too much sunlight, aging — it can all play a part in causing your dry and brittle hair. As you grow older, moisture-depleted dullness replaces the shine and volume that once came so naturally to your hair.

Pinpointing the best hair solutions to thwart this issue is not easy. That is because most products do not treat the underlying cause of your problems. Some leave your locks sluggish while others only increase your troubles, doing nothing for your hair’s underlying biology. But you have a life to live and don’t have time for parched hair, so what do you do? Read on to learn the causes of (and how to treat) dry and brittle hair.

Age-Related Scalp and Hair Changes

Aging affects more than just the color of your locks — it impacts your hair biology.

Hair follicles are tunnel-like mini-organs located in your skin’s outer layer responsible for growing and re-growing about 100,000 hairs on your head alone. Your hair begins its journey to your skin’s surface as a root at the base of a follicle. The root is composed of keratin protein cells and is fed by the blood from blood vessels in your scalp. As blood nourishes your hair root, more cells are created, prompting hair growth. 

As your hair grows through the skin, it passes sebaceous glands that release a nourishing oil called sebum. Too much sebum can make your hair and scalp greasy; too little, and things become dry and brittle. As your body matures, your sebum production slows down, and your hair and scalp become dryer. 

Menopause can lead to hormone imbalances and increased levels of androgens, including dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT can narrow your hair follicles as well as abbreviate your hair’s growth cycle, leading to hair that grows out brittle and fine, and falls out faster. DHT can also increase the time it takes for new hairs to replace fallen strands.

Other Causes of Dry and Brittle Hair

Aging is only one of several reasons why your hair and scalp may be thirsty. Things you may be doing, or neglecting to do, may also be causing your dry and brittle hair:

• Your hair products — Using hair products with harsh sulfate surfactants (surface-active agents) can strip the oils from your hair and scalp and damage your protective cuticles. To solve this problem, shampoo less and use sulfate-free formulas.

• Your styling tools — Excessive heat from blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons can damage your tresses. Wrap your hair in a towel and let it air dry when possible, use low-heat settings, and use a heat protection spray like Better Not Younger’s No Remorse Heat Protection & Taming Spray, containing avocado oil and vitamin E.
  

• Your brushing methods — Brushing dry hair can tear your cuticles, exposing your strands to further damage. If you have straight hair, use a wide-toothed comb after it has dried a bit; if your hair is curly, or textured, use a wide-toothed comb while it is still damp.

• Your environment — Wind and sun can weaken and dry out your locks. Wear a hat or use an umbrella when spending time outdoors.

• Your nutritional intake — As you age, your body absorbs less of the nutrients you consume. Consider vitamin supplements to feed your hair and scalp from the inside.

A Holistic Approach to Treating Dry and Brittle Hair

The best treatment for your arid locks and scalp may be a holistic approach to beauty care, which addresses your unique styling challenges both internally and externally.

Better Not Younger’s comprehensive line of products work together to safeguard your hair, nourish your scalp, and keep your locks shiny, moisturized, and damage-free.

Superpower Fortifying Hair & Scalp Serum

Apply this serum nightly to reinforce your hair from the roots, making it internally resistant to brittleness and breakage. Superpower Fortifying Hair & Scalp Serum is packed with oils like ceramide-NG. This B vitamin decreases scalp inflammation, stimulates scalp circulation, and smooths the cuticles on the outer layer of your strands, forming a shield to help them retain moisture.

Second Chance Low Suds Repairing Shampoo for Dry/Damaged Hair

When you need to clean your scalp and strands gently, use Second Chance Low Suds Repairing Shampoo for Dry/Damaged Hair. This rich, low-lather solution gently washes away dirt and build-up while protecting your natural oil balance. Second Chance contains argan oil with natural phenols to shore up follicle health; and birch bark to nurture your locks with vitamins B1, B2, A, C, and E.

Second Chance Repairing Conditioner for Dry/Damaged Hair

Second Chance Repairing Conditioner for Dry/Damaged Hair restores and renews your fibers with argan oil to tone your follicles and prevent dryness; and passionflower fruit extract, full of omega-6 fatty acids, linoleic acid, and vitamins A and C to feed your dry scalp and enrich your mane. Always rinse hair products with cool water to compress your cuticles and protect your strands from damage.

Hair Redemption Restorative Butter Masque

Steep your withered locks in a rich, creamy mask formulated with plant-based butters that can permeate your strands in less than two minutes, rejuvenating and softening your scalp and hair. Hair Redemption Restorative Butter Masque is blended with macadamia, murumuru, cupuaçu, avocado, and mango butters to bring back your thick, hydrated, and shiny hair.

Significant Other Hair Fortifying Vitamins

A crucial part of treating your dry and brittle hair is to make sure your body is providing your scalp and hair the nutrients needed to maintain vibrant skin and fight follicle fatigue. Significant Other Hair Fortifying Vitamins contain biotin and B vitamins to manage sebum oil production and reinforce hair strength, as well as Vitamins A and E to amplify scalp blood supply and counteract oxidative stress.

Treat Dry and Brittle Hair with Better Not Younger

If your once lush, thick, well-behaved mane now resembles a witch’s broomstick, there is hope with Better Not Younger. Each of our products plays a central role within a holistic process that treats your dry and brittle hair internally and externally. Bring balance to your hair care regimen by visiting our product page.