Dry or dehydrated hair: learn to differentiate them and take good care of them

Many people confuse dry hair with dehydrated hair, but although they may seem the same, their causes, symptoms, and treatments are different. If you have curly hair and follow the curly method, understanding this difference is key to choosing the right curly hair products and bringing your hair back to life.

When it comes to hair health, it's essential to understand what's really happening in your hair. Do you notice that it tangles more than usual, that it lacks shine, or that its definition doesn't last long? You may be dealing with dry hair... or dehydrated hair. Although both share symptoms like frizz and lack of shape, their causes are very different, and therefore, so are their treatments.

What is dry hair?

Dry hair is the result of the loss or lack of the outer protective layer, a film composed primarily of natural oils. This layer is responsible for providing shine, softness, and sealing in moisture. We lose it through habits such as drying our hair without heat protection, wearing tight hairstyles, or using harsh shampoos.
The result: dull, coarse hair with lots of frizz and constant knots.

What does dry hair need?

Ideally, you should replenish this protective barrier with ingredients like light oils, ceramides, or vegetable butters in appropriate proportions. Some effective options for curly hair include:

• Curly Superglow Mask with Alma Secret proteins
• Gyada Anti-Frizz Conditioner
• My Volume Booster , ideal for giving body without weighing down

And what is dehydrated hair?

Dehydration occurs when the interior of the hair has lost water and elasticity . It is a more profound condition and usually appears after aggressive treatments such as bleaching, straightening, dyeing, or perms. In this case, not only does it lack shine, but the hair loses shape, becomes brittle, and does not easily recover its original structure.

How to treat dehydrated hair?

Here you need moisturizing and firming ingredients that restore hydration from within and seal it in. To do this, we recommend:

• Extreme Repair Mask by Alma Secret , for intense hydration
• Gyada Spirulina Strengthening Conditioner , ideal for weakened curls
• Leave in My Best Option , which protects and maintains elasticity for days

How do you know what type you have?

An easy way to tell is to look at how your hair reacts to water.

• If it regains shape when you wet it, but frizz and roughness return when it dries, it's probably dry.
• If your curls don't activate or feel elastic even with water, you have dehydrated hair.

Alternate moisturizing and sealing products in your weekly routine for balanced, vibrant hair. Listen to your curls; they know what they need.