5 Common Hair Problems—Fixed!

Ever find yourself talking back to the TV when a shampoo commercial comes on? “Oh, please, no one has frizz-free hair when it’s raining that hard.”

Oh, to live in a world with no bad hair days. Hey, a girl can dream.

The truth is, we all have a different head of hair with its own personality—and it doesn’t always act the way we want it to. Luckily, none of us are stuck with pesky hair problems. There’s a product (really!) for every follicle freakout. even the most maddening hair dilemmas.

Slow-Growing Hair

Been stuck with bangs forever? If your hair grows at a snail’s pace—or worse, it’s snapping, breaking, and knotting more than usual, you aren’t alone: Dry, breakable strands are one of the more common hair problems out there. The first way to fix it? Stepping away from the product.

Good nutrition is the key to strong, healthy hair. Be sure your diet includes plenty of protein, along with fruits, vegetables, and healthy oils (like olive and coconut) with plenty of enriching omega-3 fatty acids.

Supplementing your diet with biotin—part of the group of B-complex vitamins needed for healthy skin, hair and nails—can also help by adding extra nourishment not provided by your diet.

Once you’ve got your diet in check, look at your products. Opt for shampoos, conditioners and styling products formulated with the same types of foods in your diet. Some of our favorites include:

Coconut-Based:

– Desert Essence Coconut Oil Conditioner
– Alba Botanica Hawaiian Drink It Up Coconut Milk Shampoo and Conditioner

Biotin-Infused:

– Avalon Organics Biotin B Complex Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner
– Andalou Naturals Lavender & Biotin Full Volume Shampoo

Wild, Frizzy Curls

Heat, humidity, or an overzealous hair dryer can turn your smooth strands into a wild, untamed mane that makes a polished look difficult if not impossible.

The key to managing? Calming oils that coat porous hair shafts, locking out the moisture that causes frizz. The care starts in the shower with argan oil-infused products like Acure Organics conditionerand leave-in conditioner.

Once you’ve towel-dried your hair, apply a small amount of frizz-fighting argan oil and carry on with your normal styling. You’ll find it’s easier to comb through—and you won’t worry about the humidity zapping your style once you step outside.

Dull, Lifeless Hair

Product, natural oils, and even the environment can leave hair weighed down and dull. Get some clarity—and shine—back into your locks with specially-formulated cleansers and conditioners designed to strip off the excess junk without also stripping away moisture. Our favorite picks for this task include Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating-Clarifying shampoo and conditioner.

Dandruff Disaster

You are super diligent about taking care of your hair, but you still find white flakes of dandruff on your shoulders. What gives?

Dandruff can be caused by a number of things, including dry skin, a yeast-like fungus known as malassezia, and excess oil (seborrheic dermatitis). Take advantage of the antifungal properties in tea tree oil to get rid of the bacteria. Apply it on a regular basis, along with regular use of an anti-dandruff shampoo like Jason Natural Dandruff Relief Shampoo.

Gray Hair Invasion

It started as one; then two. Eventually, a bunch of grays staked their claim on your head. You have two choices: Rock those beautiful grays, or cover them with color.

If you choose option two, consider that many salon hair colors are chock full of chemicals you won’t be able to pronounce. Keep things natural with an ammonia-free, paraben-free color, like those from Naturtint.