Dry hair

Some causes of dry hair are:

• Excessive hair washing, or using harsh soaps or alcohols
• Excessive blow-drying
• Dry air due to the climate
• Malnutrition
• Anorexia
• Underactive parathyroid (hypoparathyroidism)
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• Other hormone abnormalities
• Menkes kinky hair syndrome

At home you should:

• Shampoo less frequently, perhaps only once or twice a week
• Use gentle shampoos that are sulfate free
• Add conditioners
• Avoid blow drying and harsh styling products

Call your health care provider if:

• Your hair does not improve with gentle treatment
• You have hair loss or breaking hairs
• You have any other unexplained symptoms

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and may ask the following questions:

• Has your hair always been slightly dry?
• When did the unusual hair dryness first start?
• Is it always present, or is it off and on?
• What are your eating habits?
• What kind of shampoo do you use?
• How often do you wash your hair?
• Do you use a conditioner? What type?
• How do you normally style your hair?
• Do you use a hair dryer? What type? How often?
• What other symptoms are also present?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Examination of the hair under a microscope
• Blood tests
• Scalp biopsy

Hair - dry

American Academy of Dermatology website. Tips for healthy hair. www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/hair-scalp-care/hair/healthy-hair-tips. Accessed March 01, 2021.

Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW. Skin, hair, and nails. In: Ball JW, Dains JE, Flynn JA, Solomon BS, Stewart RW, eds. Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination. 9th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2019:chap 9.

Dinulos JGH. Hair diseases. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.

Updated by: Elika Hoss, MD, Senior Associate Consultant, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.