How to moisturize you hair

Our hair needs moisture, but who needs to add moisture more than most? People with naturally curly hair, chemically treated, hot styling tool users or people who live in hot sunny and arid climates. Oil and Water Many of us suffer from dry brittle or frizzy hair because our hair is deficient of (moisture) water.  There is a certain preconceived notion that has been passed on from generation to generation. That is the idea that our hair is dry, because we are lacking in natural oils. We are told that if we nurture our hair by brushing vigorously 100 times a day, with an all-natural bristle brush, or if we pamper our hair with hot oil treatments, then we are sure to be blessed with beautiful, shiny and healthy locks. This might be the case, if you have your hair is not chemically treated. But this is certainly not the case, once you have impaled your tresses, with harsh chemicals such as bleaches and alkaline permanents; or if you have naturally curly hair. Hot oil treatments Traditions have taught many of us that lavishly applying oil to our hair will give us the soft, shiny hair that we all desire. However more often than not, the opposite takes place. Most oils if they are not essential oils do not have the ability to penetrate into the hair shaft. Nor do heavy cholesterols. What they will do, is to lay on top of the cuticle, and coat the cuticle. This may give the hair some Brilliance. However, it will also coat the hair. And causes product build up. Once the hair is coated, your problems will commence. First of all, the moisture that our hair so desperately needs will not be able to permeate through the wall of product build. The moisture is then not able to find its way underneath the cuticle layer. The hair cannot then be conditioned.  Also the oils will not diffuse. If you use any kind of hot styling tools such as blow dryers or hot irons, what will happen to your hair, is exactly what happens when you put an egg into a hot pan. It will fry. If you live in a sunny climate, the oil will do the same thing. The sun will heat the oil and fry your hair. Optimum condition For hair to be in tiptop condition it has to have a moisture (water) content of at least 8%, and the right balance of protein and natural oil. Most of us produce enough natural oil (sebum), to keep our hair healthy, but lack the moisture. Steps to follow You need to give your hair lots of care, with shampoos that are designed to restore your hairs moisture level to its optimum 8%. Along with intense conditioners that will help to repair damaged cuticles, improve porosity, elasticity and general health and appearance of your hair. Those with naturally curly, wavy or frizzy hair, those who use hot styling tools or who chemically treat their hair, will need to give their hair extra nurturing by supplying with the necessary nutrition and moisture that it needs. Chemical treatments will deplete the hair of moisture. Bringing the hair moisture level own to as low as 2%. When this occurs you will start to notice split ends. The same will happen with constant use of blow-dryers or hot styling tools. If these split ends are not repaired forthwith and the moisture level not restored to 8%, your split ends will turn to breakage. This obviously needs to be avoided at all costs. Those who live in hot, sunny or arid climates; need to make sure that our hair care product contain sunscreens to protect our hair from the damaging effects of the UV rays.