How to restore moisture + shine to dry, dull hair

What is dull hair?

Dull hair is characterized by a lack of natural luster, and volume, making hair appear flat and lifeless. Dull hair often feels heavy, is rough to the touch, and can be dry and brittle. This condition can occur when the hair’s cuticle — the outermost layer of the hair, which is composed of overlapping layers of keratinized cells — becomes damaged.

When the cuticle cells lie flat, they create a uniform surface that reflects light through what’s known as specular reflection. Specular reflection is what gives hair its naturally shiny, healthy appearance. Repeated exposure to heat styling, excessive brushing, environmental stressors, and chemical treatments can all cause the cells that comprise the cuticle to lift, exposing the cortex beneath it. This disruption to both the cuticle and the cortex can prevent your hair from effectively reflecting light, causing it to appear dull.

What does dull hair look like?

While the appearance of dull hair can vary depending on your hair type and texture, it generally lacks shine, feels dry and coarse, and can appear flat and matte or frizzy and unmanageable.

12 common causes of dry, dull hair

Dull hair occurs when the hair cuticle becomes rough and raised, rather than lying flat. This disrupts hair’s ability to reflect light, making it appear lackluster and lifeless. Dullness can also be exacerbated by a lack of oil production. Natural oils, such as those produced by the sebaceous glands in the scalp, help to keep hair smooth and enhance its light reflection. Without these oils, hair can become dry and dull.

There are a number of factors that can cause damage to hair or impede its natural oil production, contributing to dullness:

Product buildup: The accumulation of styling products such as gels, mousses, and sprays can clog hair follicles and prevent moisture from penetrating the hair shaft, leading to dryness and damage.
Hard water buildup: Similar to product buildup, minerals in hard water, such as calcium and magnesium, can deposit on hair, creating a barrier that prevents moisture absorption and leaving hair feeling dry, dull, and brittle.
Sun damage: Prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays can damage the hair cuticle, depleting its natural oils and moisture and resulting in dry, weakened hair.
Excessive heat styling: Frequent use of heat styling tools such as blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons — especially without heat protectant — can strip hair of its natural moisture, causing it to become dry and damaged.
Infrequent brushing: Not brushing your hair enough can lead to an uneven distribution of natural oils from the scalp to the ends of your hair, preventing it from getting the natural moisture it needs.
Excessive brushing: Conversely, brushing your hair too frequently or too harshly can cause stress to and weaken the cuticle layer, leading to breakage and shedding.
Using the wrong product for your hair type: Using hair products not suited for your hair type can contribute to dry, dull hair. For example, using heavy conditioning products on thin, fine hair can make it feel heavy and appear dull and limp, while overusing clarifying shampoo on curly hair can dry it out, making it dull, dry, and frizzy.
Chemical treatments: Processes such as coloring, perming, and relaxing involve harsh ingredients that can damage hair’s structure and strip away natural oils, leaving it dry and fragile.
Environmental stressors: Exposure to extreme weather conditions such as wind, cold, and humidity, as well as pollutants in the air, can deplete hair of moisture and lead to dryness.
Hormonal changes: Hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, menopause, or due to thyroid issues can affect the scalp’s oil production, which can result in dry, dull hair.
Nutrient deficiencies: A lack of essential nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, D, E, biotin, iron, and omega-3 fatty acids, can negatively affect hair’s overall health, contributing to dullness.
Overwashing: Washing your hair too frequently can also strip it of its natural oils, which are essential to maintaining moisture and preventing dryness.

How to treat dull hair: 5 ways

As disappointing as dull hair can be, it’s easily treatable and even preventable. To get back on a path to shiny, healthy hair, consider the following:

Try a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos are formulated with chelating agents and surfactants to remove excess buildup from products, natural oils, hard water, and more, restoring hair’s natural shine and texture. Best of all, it’s easy to use: Simply swap out your current shampoo for a clarifying shampoo once a week and wash as usual.

When selecting a clarifying shampoo, avoid products formulated with harsh ingredients, such as sulfates. While these ingredients do offer a powerful cleanse, they also strip hair of its natural oils, making it even more dull and dry over time. Instead, look for products such as Living Proof’s Clarifying Detox Shampoo, which uses magnetic polymers, naturally derived chelating agents, and a gentle surfactant blend to provide a deep cleanse without stripping hair.

Break down any remaining residue with an exfoliant. Some buildup is simply too tough to treat with clarifying shampoo alone. In situations like this, it can be helpful to apply a pre-shampoo exfoliating treatment directly to your scalp. Products such as Living Proof’s Scalp Care Exfoliator are formulated to break down stubborn residue while restoring moisture to the scalp, thereby making subsequent treatments more effective and leaving your scalp flake-free.
Apply a moisturizing oil. Heat styling, chemical treatments, and UV damage can all dry out the hair shaft, leaving strands dull and prone to breakage. To restore moisture and shine to dry, dull hair, try applying a lightweight moisturizing oil, such as Living Proof’s Moisturizing Shine Oil. Emphasis on lightweight. While heavy-duty products can add much-needed moisture to hair, they can also contribute to buildup and weigh down strands, especially for those with thin, fine or low porosity hair, exacerbating dullness.
Reach for a hair gloss. A hair gloss is a semi-permanent treatment designed to bring shine and vibrancy back to dull, lifeless-looking hair by adding a highly reflective and protective coating to the cuticle. Tinted glosses can be a great option for those looking to increase the vibrancy of their color-treated hair between appointments or to experiment with color in a non-permanent way, while clear glosses, such as Living Proof’s High-Shine Gloss, can deliver high-impact shine in just minutes.

Eliminate unwanted texture with an anti-frizz spray. Dull hair is often dry and prone to breakage, leading to unwanted texture, frizz, and flyaways. An anti-frizz spray such as Living Proof’s Smooth Styling Spray can help keep stray hairs in check — and, when paired with a hair gloss, can make dull, dry hair look sleek and shiny.

9 ways to prevent dull hair

Once you’ve successfully restored your hair’s natural shine and luster, the next step is to take preventative measures against it becoming dull again. Here are just a few ways to protect your hair against dryness and dullness:

Apply the right products. As discussed, using the wrong products for your hair type or texture can contribute to dullness, so it’s important to choose products formulated specifically with your hair type in mind. For example, lightweight products are ideal for those with thin, fine hair, whereas curly hair benefits from heavier, more nourishing products. It’s also important to follow application instructions to the letter when applying treatments, as improper application can prevent you from seeing the promised results and, in worst-case scenarios, cause dull hair.
Extend time between washes with dry shampoo. Overwashing is a common cause of dullness. While everyone’s wash schedule will differ depending on their hair type and texture, adding a dry shampoo to your regular routine can help you go longer between washes. Dry shampoos are designed to absorb excess oil at the roots and reduce the appearance of oil along strands. Keep in mind, though, that most dry shampoos aren’t designed to actually clean hair — for that, you’ll need to look for specially formulated products with cleansing abilities.
Apply heat protectant before using hot tools. While blow-dryers, flat irons, and curlers can help you achieve your ideal style, without proper protection, they can also cause serious damage to hair, drying it out, leaving it prone to breakage, and causing it to look dull. Before using hot tools, be sure to apply a heat protectant spray, which seals the cuticle and leaves a protective coating along strands to reduce heat damage. To make the most of your routine, look for a spray that offers multiple benefits, such as Living Proof’s Heat Styling Spray, which offers heat protection up to 450°F / 230°C and uses a cationic polymer and emollient blend to smoothe hair for up to 48 hours.
Give your hair a break from hot tools. Speaking of hot tools, it’s a good idea to give your hair a day off from them every once in a while. Air-drying not only protects your hair from the heat but, when done properly, can bring out your hair’s natural texture — not to mention save you valuable time.
Limit the number of chemical treatments you receive. Whether it’s dyeing, bleaching, relaxing, perming, keratinizing, or anything in-between, frequent chemical treatments can take a serious toll on hair. Even though the results might look great in the salon chair, harsh ingredients can alter the structure of hair. Without proper time to recover between treatments, your hair can lose its tensile strength and ability to retain moisture, causing it to become brittle and lose its natural luster. The general rule of thumb is that you should wait four to six weeks between treatments, but it’s always smart to consult your stylist to get professional guidance on what’s best for your hair type and texture.
Protect your hair against environmental stressors. Whether it’s putting a hat on before heading out for the day, wearing your hair in protective styles, donning a swim cap before getting in the pool, or regularly applying a UV protectant spray before spending time in the sun, there are many ways you can protect your hair against the elements, all of which can help prevent dullness.
Avoid brushes with metal or plastic bristles. Regularly brushing your hair can help distribute natural oils from your scalp throughout each strand, giving it a shiny, lustrous appearance. But which type of brush you use can have a direct impact on your hair’s overall health? Brushes with plastic or metal bristles can irritate the scalp and snag on strands, causing breakage. Boar bristle brushes, by comparison, are gentler on the hair and scalp and distribute oils more evenly, enhancing hair’s shine and reducing frizz.
Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase. A long night spent tossing and turning in bed can cause friction to hair, especially if you’re sleeping on a traditional cotton pillowcase. Silk and satin pillowcases reduce this friction, preventing dullness and breakage. If you’re not ready to replace your cotton pillowcase, though, you can try wearing a silk wrap or bonnet to bed instead; both have the same effect of reducing friction to hair.
Talk to your healthcare provider. If you suspect that nutrient deficiency, hormonal changes, or another medical condition may be the cause of your dull hair, talk to your primary care physician to see what treatment they recommend.

Add life and luster back to dull hair with Living Proof’s High-Shine

Reviving dry, hull hair is easier than ever with Living Proof’s Perfect hair Day™ High-Shine Gloss. Through our proprietary Light Enhancing and Smoothing Technologies, this gloss uses high-gloss emollients and optical brighteners to reflect and convert light, while also aligning hair fibers and sealing the cuticle for a polished, ultra-glossy finish without the need for silicone.

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Frequently asked questions

Is dull hair a sign of damage?

Dull hair can be a sign of damage. When the hair cuticle is damaged or raised due to excessive heat styling, repeated chemical treatments, environmental stressors, and so on, it loses its ability to reflect light effectively. Not only does this create a lackluster appearance, but it can also make hair more prone to dryness, breakage, and frizz.

How can I brighten my dull hair?

To brighten dull, start by removing any excess oil, hard water, or product buildup with an exfoliating scalp treatment and clarifying shampoo, followed by a deep conditioning treatment to restore moisture and shine. Once out of the shower, apply a clear hair gloss to help seal the cuticle and add a reflective layer for high-impact shine.

How often should I wash my hair to prevent dullness?

Overwashing can strip hair of its natural oils, causing dullness. To avoid this, try washing your hair two to three times per week (or even less often for those with thicker hair). You can also use a dry shampoo to absorb excess oil and maintain a fresh appearance while extending your time between washes.

Can water quality affect my hair’s shine?

Yes. Hard water — water that contains high levels of minerals such as calcium and magnesium — can leave a filmy residue on hair, making it look dull and lifeless. Installing a water softener and adding a clarifying shampoo to your regular haircare routine can remove this mineral buildup, restoring your hair’s natural luster and texture.

Does the type of brush I use affect my hair’s shine?

Yes, it can. Boar bristle brushes are especially effective at distributing natural oils from the scalp along the length of hair, which helps to moisturize and add shine. By comparison, brushes with metal or plastic bristles can cause static, snag at hair, and irritate the scalp, all of which can contribute to dullness.

Can hormonal changes cause dull hair?

Yes. Fluctuations in hormones, such as those that occur during pregnancy, menopause, or due to thyroid issues, can impact your scalp’s oil production and hair growth cycle, leading to changes in your hair’s texture and shine. If you’re concerned that you’re experiencing dull hair due to hormonal changes or other medical conditions, consult your primary care physician for guidance.