How to Combat Dry Ends

By Toia Barry

One common gripe we hear throughout the natural hair community is dry hair. Why is dryness such an issue with naturally textured hair, especially for those of us with tightly coiled and kinky textures, and what can you do about it? Mielle is here with a few tips and products to help!

Why Textured Hair Gets Dry

Simply put, dry ends happen due to lack of moisture — that’s a given. No moisture = dryness. This happens for two main reasons:

Reason #1: The ends are the oldest part of the hair. Especially if you wear your hair out a lot, your ends – being the furthest away from the scalp, where you’ll find the natural oils – will dry out faster.

Reason #2: The curlier the hair, the harder the natural oil from your scalp (sebum) has to work to reach the ends of your hair. If your hair is super curly, coily, and especially kinky, then you may experience dryness more than your straight-haired counterparts. A person with naturally straight hair will likely tell you that their hair is often TOO oily. Ever notice that their hair usually has a natural shine to it? Sebum has no problem traveling the length of straight hair. This, of course, doesn’t make their hair better… just different. Those of us with tight curls and kinks just need a little help holding onto the moisture.

Here are a few things you can do to help your dry ends feel healthier and more moisturized…

Drink Water

One of the best ways to make sure your hair stays moisturized is to work from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water will help keep you hydrated and your scalp moist and supple, which then trickles down to the hair. When you don’t drink enough water, dehydration can have a direct effect on the skin (scalp) and hair, ultimately making the hair – especially the ends – dry and brittle. Hair will thrive and stay soft if we keep up with our water intake.

Use a Moisturizing Shampoo

You should also make sure that your wash day routine includes products that will keep the hair hydrated. Mielle’s Babassu Oil Conditioning Shampoo is free of harsh sulfates and gently cleanses the hair without completely stripping it of its natural oils. Conditioning ingredients like babassu oil and hibiscus extract add moisture to the hair to keep it soft.

Deep Condition

Maintain moisture on your ends by regularly deep conditioning. Deep conditioners like our Mongongo Oil Hydrating Conditioner penetrate every strand to give dry hair a boost of hydration and prevent the damaging effects that dryness can cause.

Rinse with Cool Water

Warm or hot water may feel best, especially if we wash our hair in the shower. But for hair that’s already prone to dryness, heat will only add to the problem. Try rinsing with luke-warm to cool water instead to help seal the hair cuticle and keep moisture in the strands.

Moisturize and Seal

The key to effectively combating dry ends is to properly moisturize the hair. This means you should understand the makeup of your hair, including its porosity, so you can find a hydrating solution that specifically targets the needs of your hair. The method of adding moisture may look different for each person. Mielle’s Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner is a favorite when it comes to infusing moisture. Following up with an oil like our Mint Almond Oil – or maybe our Mongongo Oil Pomade-to-Oil Treatment if your hair is on the thicker side – is a great way to help retain moisture, especially if you pay special attention to the ends when applying.

Together, these tips can ensure that your ends are as moisturized as possible. This is important for preventing dryness that leads to damage like split ends and breakage which will help you retain length. Explore our blog for more hair care tips and find the perfect Mielle organic hair care products for you today!