Dry Hair and Split Ends

Dry Hair and Split Ends

It doesn't take much hot air to turn your tresses into messes: Dry weather will do it. So will blow-drying. But don't start to think that arid attacks are the only way to damage your hair. Frequent shampooing and swimming in chlorinated pools do more to cripple coiffures than Delilah's scissors. Hair dyes, electric curlers and permanents also do a lion's share of damage to your mane.

Individually or in any combination, these factors can leave your hair arid, lifeless and chock-full of split ends. But here's how to offset the damage and put bounce and body on top again.

Don't hold the mayo. "Mayonnaise makes an excellent conditioner," says David Daines, owner of David Daines Salon in New York City. He advises a regular mayo bath--once a week or so. Put a dollop in the palm of your hand, then work it into your hair for at least five minutes before washing it out. (The preferred time for a full-blown mayo treatment is an hour, according to Daines.)

Spray on the brew. If mayo is a little too messy for your taste, you can still get help from the flip-top section of your refrigerator. "Beer is a wonderful setting lotion that gives a crisp, healthy, shiny look--even to dry hair," says Daines. Pour some of the brew into an empty pump-bottle. Then spray it onto your hair after you've shampooed and towel-dried but before you blow-dry or style. And don't worry about smelling like a lush-the odor of the beer quickly disperses.

Shampoo with care. It's in vogue these days to shampoo every day, but shampooing washes out the hair's protective oils," explains Thomas Goodman, Jr., M.D., assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences in Memphis.

If you must shampoo daily, use a brand that's labeled "for dry or damaged hair," suggests Michael Ramsey, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Among the shampoos he recommends are DHS, Neutrogena, Pert Plus, Ionil and Purpose.

Help your hair with conditioner. "Using a conditioner after shampooing can benefit dry hair," says Dr. Ramsey. When hair is dry, the outer layers--called cuticles--peel away from the shaft, resulting in notorious split ends. When you follow up with conditioner, you "glue" these cuticles back to the shaft while adding lubrication. A side benefit: Conditioner helps prevent static electricity, which creates the "frizzies."

Dry without heat. Two of the most intense sources of heat and damage are curling irons and electric curlers, says Joanne Harris, who operates the Joanne Harris Salon in Los Angeles and whose clients include many Hollywood stars. She suggests you rediscover the unheated plastic cylinder rollers that were used in years gone by.

For straightening, wrap slightly moist hair under and around the cold rollers, as if you were creating a pageboy hairdo. Leave them in place for about ten minutes. For curling or adding wave, try using sponge rollers overnight or sleeping with moist braids. Since blow-drying is also damaging, gently pat hair dry with a towel.

Wear a hat. One of the easiest ways to avoid dry hair is simply to wear a hat during windy weather. "Whipping winds can fray your hair like a piece of fabric," says Dr. Ramsey. Plus, a hat helps protect hair from the sun, which can also dry .

Snip off split ends. What to do about split ends? Snip 'em off, suggests Dr. Goodman. One round of quick snips every six weeks or so should keep those frayed ends under control.