Dry Relaxed Hair: Causes & How to Combat

For the past six weeks I have been experiencing extremely dry hair. By the time wash day rolls around my hair is a crispy, crackly, mess - even when moisturizing and sealing and co-washing in between shampoo sessions. Dry hair is something I had yet to experience on my hair journey, but I have read all about the damaging affects dryness can cause if left untreated. After a little research I have come up with the following possible causes and methods of combat:

Possible Causes

• Change in climate/location: About six weeks ago I moved from Florida to Texas and although both locations are HOT the Texas heat is a bit drier, not to mention the state is famous for consecutive 100+ degree- temperature- days. I happened to arrive right in the middle of one such heat wave, and temperatures such as these are bound to have a negative impact on both the hair and body.
• Not moisturizing often enough: For about six weeks I have also been experimenting with twice-a-month wash sessions to gauge the affects on both growth and length retention. Since I rely mainly on moisturizing shampoos and conditioners for effective moisture, my strands have not been effectively moisturized as often.
• Using ineffective moisturizers: Because I was not shampooing and conditioning as often as normal I had to resort to other means of providing my hair with moisture in-between washes. I have tried co washing, DIY moisture mixes, and daily moisturizing lotions. All of which failed to moisturize my hair as effectively as shampooing and deep conditioning.
• Too much protein: I purchased my beloved Kera Minerals Smoothing Deep Conditioner about two months ago and have used it after nearly every wash not knowing it contained Sericin which is a protein. I thought this was a protein/moisture balanced conditioner but due to the extreme dryness I am wondering if I am not in fact suffering from protein overload.

How to Combat

• Hot Oil Treatments: Hot oil treatments are said to improve the hair's moisture balance while improving the affects of dry hair such as split ends. On my last wash day I did two hot oil treatments, one as a pre-poo and another as a follow up to my shampoo and regular conditioner; as a result my hair is much smoother, softer and moisturized.
• Reevaluate your regimen: because my hair thrives better when shampooed and conditioned every three days, I ditched the two week experiment and resumed my normal wash routine.
• Try an old product in a new way: Daily moisturizing lotions are completely ineffective when it comes to applying them on my dry hair; however, using them as a leave-in conditioner keeps my hair soft and supple until my next wash day.
• Balance your protein: Now that I know my favorite conditioner contains protein I will use it sparingly (particularly on those days I plan to heat style), and I will always follow up with a moisturizing conditioner for balance.

 If left to run rampant dry hair is known to cause split ends and breakage which can both lead to the dreaded unplanned hair cut. Keeping a close eye on my hair and how it responds to different climates, products and routines has helped me steer clear of many major setbacks in my hair journey. 

Have you experienced excessive dryness on your hair journey?