Tips For Repairing Dehydrated Hair

It’s safe to say that no one wants dry hair. Brittle, damaged hair filled with split ends can put a damper on your style. Unfortunately, it can happen to the best of us after frequent hair styling, coloring, and heat use. But if you’ve been trying every technique to restore your hair and still haven’t found a solution, dry hair may not be what you’re dealing with. You may actually have dehydrated hair, which comes with its own set of unique challenges.

Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for having dehydrated tresses. There are things you can do and products you can use to help nurse your hair back to health. So keep reading as we share tips on how to bring your dehydrated hair back to life.

What Does Dehydrated Hair Look Like?

Hair that lacks hydration typically looks dull and feels rough. In appearance, it’s very similar to dry hair. To help identify if you have dehydrated hair, answer these questions: Do you notice that your hair feels super dry after the wash process? Does your hair struggle to retain moisture after using moisturizing hair care products? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may have dehydrated hair.

It’s so common for people to refer to dehydrated and dry hair interchangeably so it can be confusing to understand that they’re not the same. Dehydrated hair happens when there is a lack of water. Simply put, water is a key nutrient for your hair and when there is a significant lack of it, your strands won’t be able to retain any moisture. On the flip side, dry hair usually stems from excessive exposure to chemicals (like in relaxers), hair dyes, and heat. Certain hair styling products can also cause dryness as they strip away your hair’s natural oils. While dehydrated hair needs water, dry hair needs oil.

5 Tips For Reviving Dehydrated Hair

1. Use A Hydrating Hair Care System

The key to getting your dehydrated hair back on track is all about boosting your strands with hydration. And the easiest way to achieve that is by using a moisturizing hair care system like the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner. This duo has a very rich creamy formula that works to replenish hair with moisture and adds shine.

2. Add A Deep Conditioner To Your Hair Care Routine

When working with dehydrated hair, you’ll want to add a deep conditioner once a week to keep the thirst at bay. Deep conditioners go the extra mile to provide your hair with nourishing ingredients and leave you with hair that’s moisturized. Try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Rapid Reviver Deep Conditioner. It's formulated with 20 percent conditioning serum, almond, and proteins to help strengthen each strand, while leaving you with super soft and nourished hair.

Adding a leave-in conditioner to your hair care routine can also help to provide your hair with long-lasting hydration. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi use treatment is a go-to because it’s formulated with a repairing concentrate that includes proteins to help strengthen the hair.

3. Protect Your Hair At Night

No matter the condition of your strands, you should try to protect it while you sleep at night. Sleeping on cotton sheets and pillowcases can remove moisture from your hair because cotton is an absorbent material. So wrap your hair with a silk or satin scarf or sleep on a silk pillowcase to avoid doing any damage to your hair while you slumber.

4. Avoid Heat Styling

It can be hard to say no to your heat tools but using heat on damaged hair can cause even more problems. Everything from split ends to further loss of moisture can become a factor. So opt for heat-free hairstyles. For those with curly hair, protective braided hairstyles can keep your dehydrated hair from getting worse. The L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Super Curls Cream Leave-In is also great for creating soft and bouncy natural curls with no weigh-down, and includes nourishing ingredients such as sunflower seed oil. If you have straight hair, apply a few pumps of the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave In which will help smooth out your hair and get rid of any frizz.

Editors Tip: If you must use a hot tool, make sure to use a heat protectant like the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Pre-Iron Spray Leave-In, which helps control frizz and adds hydration to your strands.

5. Use A Hair Mask

One of the best ways to care for your hair is by using a hair mask. Once a week, swap your conditioner for a mask that can help nourish your mane. Leave it on as directed, making sure not to rinse it out too quickly, so you can reap all of its benefits. Try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair Extreme Emergency Recovery Mask, when your hair is in dire need of a repair boost. Remember, while washing your hair be sure to use lukewarm water. Hot water may feel soothing, but it will strip your hair of all its natural oils, leaving you with drier hair.

If you find that none of the tips above help you care for your dehydrated hair, it may be time to visit your dermatologist for professional advice.

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