Will a Hair Mask Help with Dry Hair?

Chronic hair dryness is an unfortunate problem that many struggle with. Unfortunately, dry hair can snowball into brittleness, increased tangles, split ends, and breakage. So, the time to address this hair issue is now. Hair masks are touted as the cure-all for any hair problem, but do they help with dry hair? That's what we'll be looking at in this article. 

Hair Masks Do Help with Dry Hair

To tell you plainly, hair masks do indeed help with dry hair. After all, they were designed for that very purpose. Hair masks are formulated with water, oils, and moisturizers (to hydrate the hair), humectants (to draw moisture into the hair), and sometimes butters and sealants (to lock in the moisture). Considering all of the anti-dryness properties of hair masks, you can expect them to help with dry hair. 

The Right Hair Mask for Your Hair Type

If you've ever researched this topic in the past, you know that some astronomical claims have been made about hair masks. They are credited with transforming bone-dry hair into soft, moisturized locks. But it's imperative to know that not every hair mask will help with your dry hair. Let's get into the different types of hair and what they need in a moisturizing hair mask: 

Low Porosity Hair

Low porosity refers to the hair's resistance to receiving moisture. If you have low porosity hair, most products may sit on top of your hair instead of being absorbed. It may also take a long time to wet your hair thoroughly in the shower. This is because your hair cuticles lie flat and tend to lock out moisture. 

To get the most out of your deep conditioning sessions with low porosity hair, here's what you need in a hair mask: 

• Water as a first ingredient. In order for your hair mask to penetrate your hair, you need one that's water-based. It has a better chance of being absorbed into your hair. 
• Penetrating oils. Not all oils are created equal. There are three types of oils: penetrating oils, sealing oils, and hybrid (penetrating and sealing) oils. You need deep-penetrating oils or hybrid oils, as they are more likely to get into the deeper layers of your hair than sealing oils. Some of the best penetrating and hybrid oils include coconut oil, olive oil, sweet almond oil, argan oil, avocado oil.

Note: In addition to using a suitable hair mask, it's essential to apply it to damp hair, cover your hair up with a plastic cap, and apply heat for up to 30 minutes. The heat will open up your hair cuticles and increase hair mask absorption. 

High Porosity Hair 

High porosity hair is entirely different from low porosity hair. It readily receives moisture but has trouble retaining it. Because of this, you should choose water-based hair masks that incorporate sealing oils like castor oil, hemp seed oil, and moringa oil. You can apply heat to your hair after applying the hair mask, but it's not necessary. 

Now you know some new information about hair masks and how they can help with dry hair! We hope that the information in this article is helpful to you in your fight against dryness.

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.