To hydrate hair, use moisturizing products with ingredients like glycerin or aloe, apply deep conditioners and hair masks regularly, avoid overwashing and hot tools, use lukewarm water, and seal moisture in with oils or leave-in serums, focusing on gentle cleansing and locking water into the hair shaft.
Another option is to use a spray bottle to spritz your hair with water or a mixture of water and aloe vera or water and a light oil. If you choose to use only water, seal that hydration into your hair by applying a natural oil, like jojoba oil, afterward.
10 hair hydration tips
Not having enough vitamin C can make your hair dry and brittle. Vitamin C helps your body absorb iron, which is essential for growing healthy hair. The following factors can cause a lack of Vitamin C: Smoking.
How to hydrate and repair brittle hair
Hair that lacks hydration (a.k.a. dehydrated hair) typically looks dull and feels rough. Additionally, it's tough to style, extra oily, lacks volume and split ends are much more noticeable. In appearance, it's very similar to dry hair which is why it can be tough to distinguish between the two.
Getting a good deep conditioning treatment once a week will nourish your hair and restore its natural shine. If you have very dry hair, doing a hot oil treatment once a month will help moisturize it. Wash your hair, dry it with a towel and apply your favorite hair oil.
Underactive parathyroid (hypoparathyroidism) Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) Other hormone abnormalities. Menkes kinky hair syndrome.
Symptoms such as pins and needles, disturbed vision, a sore and red tongue, mouth ulcers, muscle weakness and problems with balancing and walking, psychological problems such as depression and confusion, problems with memory, understanding and judgement could also be related to B12 deficiency.
When deficiency disrupts vitamin D in your scalp, the anagen (growth) phase shortens. This prematurely pushes more resting follicles into the telogen (rest) phase. Excessive shedding occurs, resulting in thinner hair.
Keratin Treatments: Keratin treatments are a popular salon service that can significantly improve hair's smoothness and manageability. These treatments infuse the hair with keratin, a protein that helps strengthen and seal the cuticle, resulting in a silky, frizz-free finish that can last for several months.
The Dos and Don'ts of Hair Care
What hydrates hair the most? Products containing humectants like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and aloe vera are highly effective at drawing and holding moisture in the hair. Deep conditioning treatments and leave-in serums with these ingredients tend to be the most hydrating.
The "3-Minute Rule" for moisturizer is a skincare guideline recommending you apply lotion, cream, or ointment to your skin within three minutes of bathing or washing, while it's still damp, to trap water and lock in hydration for healthier, less dry skin. This technique seals in moisture lost during washing, preventing it from evaporating quickly and helping to strengthen the skin's protective barrier, making it especially beneficial for dry skin and conditions like eczema.
How To Treat Hair That's Dry, Brittle & Feels Like Straw
B12 deficiency can trigger specific food cravings, most notably for meat, fish, or eggs, as the body seeks animal-based sources to replenish the vitamin, especially in those on vegetarian/vegan diets or older adults. While cravings for sugary or salty foods can also signal general B-vitamin issues, the distinct urge for protein-rich animal products is a key indicator, but professional testing is crucial for confirmation.
Cutaneous manifestations associated with vitamin B12 deficiency are skin hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair changes. A diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency is often overlooked in its early stages because these signs are not specific to vitamin B12 deficiency alone.
The foods highest in Vitamin B12 are animal products, with clams and liver (beef, lamb) being exceptionally rich sources, often providing several hundred percent of the daily value in a single serving, alongside seafood like mussels, sardines, and salmon, dairy, eggs, and fortified cereals and nutritional yeast for vegans.
Thyroid hormones – These hormones can affect skin moisture levels and hair growth. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) can lead to dry, thinning skin and hair loss, while hyperthyroidism (high thyroid hormone levels) can cause oily skin and hair.
The "Big 3" hair loss treatments, popular in forums, are Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Ketoconazole shampoo, often combined to tackle hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) by boosting growth, blocking hormones, and reducing inflammation. Minoxidil (Rogaine) widens blood vessels, Finasteride (Propecia) blocks DHT, and Ketoconazole fights scalp fungus and inflammation, with microneedling sometimes considered a fourth addition.
7 Best Shampoos for Dry, Frizzy Hair
Understanding how to know if your hair is damaged means learning the visible and invisible signs: dryness, breakage, tangles, dullness, or loss of elasticity. By pairing nourishing products with protective habits, you can restore your hair's natural strength and shine — and keep it healthy for the long term.
Whether you have moisture-seeking curls or bleached-out hair, start with our top tips on how to treat dry hair.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D deficiency can manifest as dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. Moderate to excessive shedding and thinning hair may also occur.