My hair is dry and brittle: what can I do?

Dry hair feels rough, dull, or difficult to detangle; brittle hair snaps easily, especially at the ends. Look for split ends, uneven short pieces, scalp scale, itching, pain, or thinning at the roots. Hair-shaft damage and hair loss are different concerns, although they can appear together.

Frequent colouring, straightening, bleaching, hot tools, tight styles, sun exposure, and rough towel drying can wear down the outer cuticle. Overwashing or harsh products may worsen dryness. Breakage close to the scalp, sudden shedding, scalp inflammation, or changes after an illness or medication deserve a clinician's review rather than repeated cosmetic treatments.

Reduce high heat and use the lowest effective setting when drying. Condition the lengths after washing, detangle from the ends upward with a wide-tooth comb, and avoid pulling wet hair. Loosen tight hairstyles, limit overlapping chemical treatments, and protect hair from strong sun or pool water. Trim visibly split ends; a supplement should not replace assessment of diet, scalp health, or another cause. Hair supplement therapy may be discussed when a clinician identifies a relevant nutritional need.

See a dermatologist for rapid thinning, bald patches, persistent scalp redness or scale, painful bumps, marked itching, or breakage that continues despite gentler care. Seek advice sooner if hair changes began after a new medicine, restrictive diet, or significant illness.

Is this shaft breakage, shedding, or both? Could my scalp or recent treatments explain the change? Do I need blood tests or dietary advice before considering a supplement, and which ingredients should I avoid?