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How to Hydrate Your Hair

Apr 26, 2011 / By Heather Vecchioni

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Forget blow-drying hair if you want to add hydration to your mane.

Photo: Jupiterimages/Pixland/Getty Images

Gals often desire hair that is sleek, soft and shiny, but more often than not are left with hair that is dry and crunchy. Whether you realize it or not, your hair likely suffers a bit of abuse from you, particularly when you use dyes, perms or relaxers. Even using the "hot" setting on your hair dryer can weaken and dry out your mane. To get your hair looking model-sexy, you must hydrate your mane. A few simple techniques can get your hair rich and lovely again.

Skip washings. It may sound gross, but not subjecting your hair to shampoo every day can bring some of its moisture back. Shampoos remove the excess grease from your hair but also remove the oil the keeps your mane looking shiny and soft. Allowing your hair to build back some of the oil brings on the hydration.

Use shampoos and conditioners that are designed to hydrate your hair, particularly if your hair is color-treated. These therapeutic products add nourishment and hydration to your distressed tresses and are gentle enough to use each time you wash your locks.

Treat your locks to a deep-conditioning treatment once a week. This moisture-laden product works its way deep down into your hair, repairing damage and adding some hydration. Conditioning treatments are often heated and then placed on your tresses. The treatment is left on your hair for a few minutes to get its moisturizer on and then rinsed out. However, read the directions on your product as they can vary per brand.

Go natural and let your hair dry on its own. Blow dryers are extremely hot and suck the life right out of hair, along with its moisture. Save your hair -- and money on your electric bill -- by letting the air around you do all the work. Your healthy hair and wallet will thank you.

1.Hydrating shampoo and conditioner

2.Conditioning treatment

Trim your hair regularly to keep unhealthy-looking split ends to a minimum. Those straggly ends have a major impact on the rest of your hair and leave it looking dry and messy.