Does Your Hair Need Hydration or Nourishment?

If you didn’t know already, healthy hair starts with the scalp! Yet, how you treat those mid-lengths and especially those delicate ends greatly impacts the look and feel of your hair. When hair is dehydrated or lacks nourishment, it not only appears dull but can also feel brittle or ‘straw-like’, leading to various issues. 

Dehydrated hair can become challenging to manage, often resulting in split ends and breakage. You might instinctively reach for products labeled as “hydrating.” However, do you know why these products will help? Keep reading as we clarify the differences between hydrating and nourishing and learn how to give your hair the care that it needs!

First things first, let’s delve into the basics and then get a little scientific to understand the two different concepts of hydration and nourishment: Imagine hydrating like drinking water and nourishing like eating food. Hydrating products focus on the medulla, the inner layers of the hair strand, while moisturizing products target the cuticle, the outer layer of the hair strands. Moisturization primarily concerns the water content on your hair’s outer layer, regulated by natural oils that help to keep your hair feeling hydrated. These products often contain ingredients known as ‘humectants,’ which attract and retain moisture and are particularly beneficial in humid conditions.

Main Causes of Dehydrated Hair

Dry hair can be attributed to various factors, including bleach, hair color, and chemical treatments like perms and relaxers. When used incorrectly, these treatments disrupt the hair’s natural balance, leading to dryness and damage. Bleach removes the hair’s natural pigment, leaving it lighter but more porous and susceptible to damage. Likewise, certain hair colors contain chemicals that penetrate the hair shaft to change its color, but these chemicals can also strip away moisture and essential oils, causing dryness and brittleness by breaking down the protective outer layer of the hair shaft, known as the cuticle.

This weakening of the cuticle makes the hair more susceptible to damage from external factors such as heat styling and environmental stressors. Additionally, the chemical processes involved in bleaching and coloring can disrupt the hair’s natural pH balance, further contributing to dryness and damage. Therefore, it is essential to use a hydrating range like RE/START™ that is formulated with proven skincare ingredients to help balance your scalp microbiome, control water balance with Betaine, deeply nourish with Murumuru, moisturize with Pro Vitamin B5 and lock moisture into the hair fiber for long-lasting frizz control.

The other factors to consider are excessive use of heat styling tools such as flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers that can deplete moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Environmental factors like dry air, sun exposure, and harsh weather conditions can also contribute to dryness by robbing the hair of its natural moisture. To limit these issues, we recommend following a personalized routine that includes thermal protection and regular haircuts to keep your hair on trend while also avoiding those dreaded split ends.

How to Nourish Hair

If nourished hair is what you are aiming for, then we recommend the following care and styling products for the perfect routine!

• Begin with the RE/START™ Hydration Moisture Micellar Shampoo, a game-changer for balancing your scalp’s microbiome while enhancing hair’s natural beauty. Infused with betaine and pro-vitamin B5, this shampoo not only locks moisture into every strand but also brings balance to the scalp. It is ideal for normal to dry hair seeking hydration from root to tip, it leaves the hair soft, shiny, and utterly revitalized. Simply massage it into wet hair, rinse thoroughly, and repeat if desired.
• Follow up with the RE/START™ Hydration Moisture Melting Conditioner, designed to make hair more manageable while boosting softness and smoothness. This conditioner is your ticket to hydrated, frizz-controlled locks and it’s perfect for normal to dry hair types. Apply it to towel-dried hair, leaving it on for 2-3 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly.
• For an extra dose of pampering, indulge in the RE/START™ Hydration Moisture Rich Mask. Crafted to provide long-lasting frizz control and nourishment, this mask is a must-have for very dry hair in need of deep hydration. Simply apply it from the mid-length to the ends, leave it on for 3-5 minutes, and then rinse thoroughly for silky, nourished strands.
• Combat frizz like a pro with the RE/START™ Hydration Anti-Frizz Moisturizing Drops, specially formulated for those seeking long-lasting frizz control. This dual-action serum not only moisturizes the hair but also balances the scalp’s microbiome for improved shine and softness. Just apply 1-2 drops on wet or dry hair and leave it in for sleek, smooth locks all day long.
• Dermatologically proven and lightweight, the RE/START™ Hydration Scalp Moisturizing Lotion is a game-changing leave-in formula for dry or sensitive scalps. Infused with hyalucomplex (a blend of hyaluronic acid and panthenol) it provides daily soothing relief, significantly improving scalp condition while nourishing and protecting. Simply spray onto the scalp, massage gently, and leave in for optimal results.
• To ensure long-lasting results, we also recommend booking in with your favorite hair pro for in-salon products infused with keratin such as our Eksperience™ Reconstruct Phase 1 – Keratin Filler that will help eliminate the frizz that can sometimes make hair look dull and help keep your hair looking healthy, shiny, and smooth.
• For added benefits, sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase can minimize static and prevent unwanted breakage. When washing your hair, steer clear of hot water and opt for lukewarm temperatures to prevent stripping away its natural moisture, which can lead to dryness and brittleness. Finish with a final rinse of cold water to help seal the hair cuticles.

Check out our RE/START™ Hydration line and find out what treatments you can also do in-salon by looking for your closest salon in our salon finder.  Your hair and scalp will thank you for the ultimate pampering experience! It will leave your hair nourished, hydrated, and beautifully radiant from root to tip. You can also purchase our much loved RE/START™ Hydration range directly from our approved resellers by clicking here.