The Better Blog

You've always had healthy, hydrated hair. But lately, your locks are brittle, broken and frizzy. These are signs of damaged hair. Even if you’re following the same styling routine you always have, your changing body chemistry through menopause can lead to aging hair that is thinner and more damage-prone than ever before.

Damaged hair not only looks dull and unhealthy, but it's also likely to feel dry and rough-textured. Thankfully, it's possible to stop these trends in their tracks and prevent future damage. Repairing conditioners help damaged hair by moisturizing and utilizing protein to rebuild gaps in the strands.

Many of us have struggled with frizzy hair all of our lives. For example, those with naturally curly hair know how it’s more prone to frizz, especially under humid conditions. For others, frizziness may be a periodic signal that your strands need extra TLC.

They could be broken, dry or damaged, with frayed ends and a texture that is wiry and out of control. Why the sudden change? Your frizzy hair could be attributed to hormone fluctuations, changes to your daily hair-care routine or even a vitamin deficiency. 

Have you ever wondered why even when you use the same products, in the same exact way, you get different results when you’re traveling or away from home? 

The water quality at your hotel or relative’s house probably isn’t the first thought that comes to mind. However, just as the condition of your hair can easily vary depending on the climate or season, your hair and the products you use will also react differently when you wash it in hard water vs. soft water.

Does your hair feel dull, brittle or frizzy no matter what you seem to do? Do you feel like you have to cleanse your hair multiple times and apply copious amounts of shampoo to see any sort of suds? When you step out of the shower, does your scalp feel dry to the point of itching? 

If any of this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with hard water. The “hardness” or “softness” of water is determined based on the concentration of minerals it contains, namely calcium and magnesium. But that’s not all. Did you know the pH of your water is important to the health of your hair as well? 

Keep reading to learn about all the sneaky little qualities present in your water, what they do to your hair, and what exactly you can do about them.

Hair masks have the same primary purpose as your everyday conditioner—to deliver moisture and improve your strands' condition. Knowing how, and how often, to use them is essential for achieving the greatest benefits.

Generally, your hair mask should be used once or twice per week in place of your regular conditioner. The ideal frequency will depend on the current condition and type of your tresses. If they're dry or damaged, you will likely need this deep-conditioning treatment more often. Healthy or oily hair can get by with less frequent applications.