The Gloss Boss: From Dull Hair to a Head-turning Shine

Although technically dead cells after they leave the protection of the scalp, our hair still has memory. This means that should you stand trial for whatever life circumstance led you to go mental, your more or less dull hair would be a total blabbermouth. It would tell the forensics team what was floating around in your bloodstream, what you munched on if you've gotten yourself a habit, and so much more. It remembers how you fed it a homemade mask that chill Sunday afternoon, but also the ridiculous scourging heat of a curler or a flat iron, your as-tight-as-you-can-go pony tail-facelift phase, and loads of harsh chemicals build up from daily hair products. If you're looking at the sad remnants of your once fabulous hairdo, which is now depressed strands of lifeless, limp hair, fret none. We'll go through some useful tips and tricks to fix the damage and restore shiny, lustrous hair again.

What is dull hair?

It will not bore you to death with 10,000 photos of its last trip, but this lifeless hair will just sadly hang there. It will have lost its perky freshness, look damaged, and feel more fragile. You will get uneasy handling it as you'll feel like everything is doing even more damage. It will not listen to your desires and will get more complicated to style and stay in place. It will seem rough, dry, and straw-like to the touch and even more prone to static electricity. And all of this will make you frustrated, desperately raising your fists to the sky and asking the goods of locks what you have done wrong to deserve this.

Causes of Dull Hair

So, how to get shiny hair back? As usual, any problem we experience is not a black-and-white binary, but a grey area and a mixture of the things we did, some we failed to do, and some external environmental factors. When it comes to causes of dull hair, three big hitters will, once addressed, give you the biggest bang for your buck. These are:

Excessive use of styling products: We agree wholeheartedly that hair was put on our heads (and cats in our lives) to remind us that we cannot control everything, no matter how hard we try (or how many times we yell no from across the room). Hair styling products are here to make our day and expressing our unique style a bit easier. Still, they can also cause hair damage, build up, or have an unclean formula that soaks into our scalps. Be suspicious of everything that smells too good to be true or promises unreasonable improvements in a ridiculous amount of time. This is a red flag meaning - "chemical-laden." The results are temporary, but the damage is permanent.

In addition to the overuse of styling items, you could be using styling tools that destroy the strand ever more with each use, such as hot curlers, hair dryers on intense heat (if you can smell your strands burning, it's too hot) flat irons, aggressive brushing or overzealous teasing close to the scalp, that you can't comb out later and up breaking the hair. We would not dream of taking away your right to style but do consider switching to natural products, those with a high percentage of natural ingredients, or those from well-trusted brands. Explore heatless curl methods, heat-proof your hair before harsh interventions, and always gently detangle from the tips to the root.

Lack of hydration: What has no water looks and is dead. So when wandering how to get shiny hair from within, fall back on good nutrition and moisture from within as well as moisture added topically, especially if you live in dry or cold climates, as the cold dries out organic substances such as keratin that is the main building block of your hair. Growing old is basically drying out; it is equally true for the hair, skin, organs, and whole body. You will need to add more moisture as you grow old, and for women, this will become even more important after menopause.

When you were an oily-scalp teenager, you valued your shampoo the most. As time goes by, you'll start to appreciate a good conditioner, hair mask, and hair oil and will devote your time to finding the best hair growth serum you can afford. If you'll remember only one thing from this article, it is hydration. There is no going around this one, even if treatments might seem to help briefly.

Environmental factors: How to get silky hair in a world full of toxins, fumes, and chemicals? The chances you'll singlehandedly rid the planet of pollution and stuffy, dry office spaces while introducing rainwater for hair washing into every home is ridiculously unlikely. You'll need to follow the old wisdom of accepting what you cannot change and focus on what you can - protection. Smoggy city air, UV rays scouring your hair and scalp, extreme cold or heat, and washing your hair with limescale and chlorine-laden tap water leave a mark. The damage on the hair, scalp, and follicle accumulates.

 You can adopt some simple life habits to help keep and regain shiny, healthy, and smooth hair, such as leave-in conditioners, hair masks, and sprays that will not make your hair heavy, flat, or oily. They will create a protective coating over the strand and protect it from chemicals, UV radiation, and moisture loss throughout the day. Think of it as similar to applying a rich moisturizing cream on your face when going out in really cold weather. You want this barrier function. Hats, caps, hair scarves, and hoodies can be stylish fashion pieces, doubling as protective garments. Similarly, a hair bun can be styled to perfection while protecting most of the hair inside the bun from outside influences.

Bonus tip: If you've been wondering, "Why is my hair so flat," you might start avoiding rooms with cigarette smoke as the nicotine is greasy and weighs the strands down. You can get a haircut or learn a new way to style for more volume on top, or consider checking your diet or hormones if you've noticed thinning and flatness suddenly.

Treatments and Remedies for Dull Hair

If you're too impatient to just wait for results from slow, natural, long-term fixes and want to jump straight into finding a salon hair treatment for instant gratification, more power to you. Salons can do all sorts of things today, regardless of whether you're wondering how to get silky hair, how to make hair shiny, or hopelessly wondering how to fix flat hair. When you get to the salon, ask about some of the most popular treatments to restore shine and vitality to hair. They are popular for a reason - because they work. Popular salon treatments for shiny hair include:

Hair gloss treatment - also known as hair glaze or hair glossing. It will add a high-shine finish to the hair while subtly enhancing or neutralizing color. Hair glosses coat the hair's outer cuticle, sealing in moisture and creating a smooth surface that reflects light.

Deep conditioning treatment - often contains rich ingredients like proteins, lipids, oils, and vitamins that penetrate the hair shaft to nourish it from the inside out. It improves hydration, hair elasticity, frizz, and loss of luster by smoothing the scale-like structure of hair cells for a shiny finish.

Hair Botox - contains a mix of collagen, vitamins, and proteins.

Keratin treatment - infuses hair intensely with a mixture of keratin, conditioning agents, and formaldehyde, so don't do it too often.

Detox treatment - removes the scalp and hair buildup of products, chemicals, and compounds such as chlorine that dull the hair's natural luster.

Scalp treatment - ideal for all who also have a flaky, dry, and itchy scalp, in addition to dull hair, but it will benefit everyone, as there is no healthy hair without healthy follicles in the scalp.

Protein hair treatment - ideal for damaged or weak hair or for overuse of heat styling tools or chemical treatments. It works by filling in any gaps or weak spots in the hair shaft with protein molecules.  

Home Remedies for Dull Hair

OILS
Suppose you're more of a DIY hair remedy gal or guy and are not interested in salon treatments that could potentially backfire down the road. In that case, there are plenty of natural options hiding in your pantry and cabinets. Homemade remedies for restoring hair luster can be just as effective as a salon visit, but will take more time to see results as there are no chemicals forcing your hair into compliance, or you will not see such a dramatic difference sans the professional styling or blowout with which the hairdresser would finish the treatment. On the plus side, nature has concocted some strong compounds for the health and beauty of our skin, hair, nails, and organisms, which, when used correctly, have no side effects whatsoever. Go for natural oils like olive, rosemary, avocado, coconut oil, or rosemary water.

Rosemary water: Simply boil three rosemary sprigs or three tablespoons of dried rosemary in 200-300mL of water. Once the water has boiled and cooled, strain and pour it into a spray bottle and apply it to your hair. You can apply it on damp, just-washed hair and leave it in, or spray a few hours before washing and wash it out.

Rosemary oil: Put a few springs of rosemary or a few teaspoons of dried rosemary into olive oil or coconut oil and heat for 10 to 15 minutes until you see rosemary levels have lost some of their color. Cool, take the rosemary twigs out and let it cool. Apply a few hours before washing your hair, focusing on the roots and spreading the extra to the tips.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR
Another option is apple cider vinegar: This will strip the product, lime scale, and scalp oil residue from the hair fibers, just as you would strip natural fabrics from detergent buildup.  Mix four tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 250 ml of warm water. Apply the mixture throughout your hair after washing, leave it on for 30 minutes, rinse out, and dry the hair. You'll instantly notice your hair is softer and shinier. Note: Never use undiluted vinegar, or you'll risk damage to the hair.

BAKING SODA
A highly effective alternative is baking soda. It acts as a natural cleanser, removing product buildup and excess oils from the scalp. This can help restore hair's natural shine by getting rid of dulling residues while opening the hair cuticle and making it easier to rinse impurities. Once the buildup is cleared, hair will look shinier.

Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 cups of water. Pour the mixture over wet hair, gently massage the scalp, and rinse thoroughly. Follow with a diluted apple cider vinegar rinse(1 part vinegar to 4 parts water) to balance the pH and smooth the hair cuticles. While baking soda can give a quick shine boost by removing buildup, it's best used occasionally so as not to over-strip the scalp of beneficial natural oils.

Bonus hair shine ingredients include Aloe Vera, banana, honey, mayo, eggs, yogurt, avocado…

Hair Care Tips for Dull Hair

When caring for dull hair, there are a few steps in your washing routine you shouldn't overlook:

• Brush your hair while it's dry to detangle and stimulate your scalp before the wash and to avoid breakage. 
• Don't overdo it with shampoo; more doesn't mean better, and focus on the scalp while doing the opposite with the conditioner.
• End your wash routine with a cold water rinse to smooth the shaft scales and give it extra shine.
• Try drying your hair rather than leaving it wet, as this weakens it. Opt for cool to medium temperatures when drying, and always apply a heat-protectant product if you don't want to end right back at square one.
   

Product Recommendations for Dull Hair

We always recommend investing in products with proven track records, such as L'Oréal Professionnel's Metal Detox range, Moroccanoil's argan oil shampoos, and Kiehl's amino acid shampoo.

For an extra boost, there are shine-enhancing sprays like GHD D's spray, Kérastase Discipline spray, or OGX's argan oil spray. Not only do these products give your hair a radiant shine instantly, but they also protect the strands from any damage and leave it feeling soft.

LUNA™ 4 hair 2-in-1 LED scalp massager 

Take advantage of the ever-advancing technology's benefits and explore the market for devices that can help you achieve professional hair care and hair recovery results at home, such as our favorite pick - LUNA™ 4 hair.  FOREO's first spectacular venture into hair care, LUNA™ 4 hair 2-in-1 LED scalp massager blends innovation and practicality for unique hair results. It fuses red LED light therapy with T-Sonic™pulsations and ultra-hygienic silicone bristles to gently stimulate the scalp, helping remove dirt, excess oil, and product buildup while encouraging better circulation. 

The advanced scalp care device is designed to cleanse and massage the scalp, promoting healthier and shinier hair from the root, but also to serve the full hair length by coating the entire hair surface, allowing perfect distribution and coverage of your preferred recovery products. 

LUNA™ 4 hair is ideal for massaging in hair oils and serums such as LUNA™ Dual-Peptide Scalp Serum, which completes FOREO's haircare routine to repair and restore vitality to lifeless hair.

GET YOUR LUNA™ 4 hair

Restoring Shine to Dull Hair

In summary, damage happens over time, as does healing. Small daily changes accumulate into significant results, allowing you to regain your shiny hair. Focus on your pre-washing and washing routine, use a handful of clean, high-quality products, and meet your specific needs. Anything that can offer an extra dose of hydration or lock in the existing hydration is your friend. Minimise heat styling as much as possible, explore heatless curl options and always use protectants for heat, UV rays, and pollution.

A few extra hair care tips for the road:

• Get regular trims, even if it's just a little (every 6-8 weeks), to avoid split ends, making your hair look damaged and frizzy.
• Your diet should include foods rich in vitamins A, E, and omega-3, like salmon, avocados, and walnuts, to nourish your hair from the inside out.
• Consider switching to a silk or satin pillowcase or a little sleeping hat. These fabrics create less friction than cotton, preventing frizz and keeping your hair smooth and shiny.

It's quite easy to go from healthy and glossy hair to dull hair, burdened with all the memories of mistreatment and daily insults from the environment. Still, you can restore the old glory with the right information and consistency. We hope we've offered some useful info to get you on your way. The consistency part we leave to you. Stay curious, determined, and beautiful, enjoy living in your skin, and may you handle all of life's hairy situations with ease.