Updated: November 2025

The complete guide to understanding dry hair, how Functional Keratin™ restores moisture from inside and out, and the holistic approach that actually works

Are you tired of dealing with dry, lifeless hair that seems impossible to manage?

If so, you're not alone.

Dry hair is one of the most common hair complaints, affecting people across all ages and hair types.

But here's the thing: dry hair isn't something you just have to live with.

Understanding why your hair is dry, and how Functional Keratin™ works to restore moisture, is the key to revitalising your locks.

In this blog, we'll explore the complete science of dry hair, why keratin deficiency is usually the culprit, and exactly how to address it using both internal supplementation and targeted external products.

Get ready to transform your hair and say goodbye to dryness.

Understanding Keratin: The Foundation of Healthy Hair Moisture

What Is Keratin and Why Does It Matter?

Keratin is a fibrous protein that forms the structural foundation of healthy hair.

It's not just a surface ingredient. It's literally what your hair is made of.

Keratin's role in hair health:

Forms the structural core of each hair strand

Creates a protective outer layer (the cuticle)

Maintains elasticity and resilience

Seals in moisture and prevents loss

Protects against environmental damage

When your hair has adequate keratin, it looks shiny, feels soft, and handles beautifully.

When it doesn't, you get what you're experiencing: dryness, brittleness, and a lackluster appearance.

The Keratin-Moisture Connection

Here's the critical link most people miss:

Dry hair usually isn't a moisture problem. It's a keratin problem.

Your hair can be thoroughly saturated with water, but without adequate keratin, it can't hold that moisture.

Keratin essentially acts as a seal.

When this seal is compromised, water escapes and your hair becomes dry.

This is why simply using conditioner (water-based) doesn't fix dry hair long-term.

You need to repair the structure (keratin) to actually retain moisture.

What Causes Dry Hair: The Root Culprits

Environmental Damage

Your hair faces constant environmental assault.

Sun exposure:

UV radiation breaks down protein bonds in the hair shaft

Directly depletes keratin

Causes oxidative stress throughout the hair

Creates a dull, straw-like appearance

Wind and extreme temperatures:

Accelerate moisture loss

Cause the cuticle layer to lift and crack

Damage happens quickly in harsh conditions

Pollution and chlorine:

Chemical exposure damages the cuticle

Strips away protective oils

Creates oxidative stress on the protein structure

Heat Styling Without Protection

This is one of the biggest culprits.

How heat damages hair:

Heat denatures the protein structure of keratin

It causes the hair shaft to expand and the cuticle to lift

Repeated heat exposure accumulates damage

Blow dryers, straighteners, and curlers all contribute

The acceleration factor:

Using heat tools on already-dry hair is even worse

The damage compounds with each use

Without heat protectant products, damage increases significantly

Harsh Cleansers vs. Gentle Surfactants

Not all sulfates are created equal, and this is critically important to understand.

The harsh sulfate problem:

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and similar harsh synthetics are extremely stripping

These strip both scalp oils and hair moisture aggressively

They disrupt the pH balance of your scalp

Over time, this creates chronic dryness

Your scalp responds to this stripping by overproducing oil, creating a frustrating cycle

The naturally-derived surfactant advantage:

Coconut-derived surfactants (like those in our products) are significantly gentler

They cleanse effectively without stripping protective oils

They maintain your scalp's natural pH balance

They preserve moisture in your hair while still cleaning thoroughly

The difference is substantial: harsh sulfates damage while gentle surfactants care.

The frequency factor:

Even with gentle surfactants, washing too frequently strips the scalp

Wash no more than 2-3 times per week

Your scalp needs time between washes to restore its natural oil production

When you use gentle surfactants and wash less frequently, your hair stabilises

Improper Haircare Routine

Small daily habits accumulate into big damage.

Common mistakes:

Brushing wet hair (it's extremely fragile when wet)

Aggressive brushing that breaks the cuticle

Rough towel drying instead of gentle squeezing

Using styling products with alcohol (dries hair out)

Not using heat protectant before blow-drying

Nutritional Deficiencies

What you eat directly affects your hair health.

Hair needs:

Adequate protein (hair is 95% keratin/protein)

Biotin (supports keratin production)

Zinc (essential for hair growth and health)

Vitamin A (supports scalp health)

Vitamin C (supports collagen production alongside keratin)

Omega-3s (reduce inflammation and support moisture)

If you're not getting these nutrients, your hair suffers.

Dehydration

Your hair's moisture comes from inside your body.

If you're dehydrated:

Your body prioritises hydration to vital organs

Hair is low priority

Your hair becomes dry from the inside out

Drinking adequate water supports hair hydration

The Impact of Keratin Deficiency on Hair Moisture

How Keratin Deficiency Develops

Keratin deficiency doesn't happen overnight.

It accumulates from repeated exposure to the factors above.

The process:

Heat styling damages keratin structure

Environmental factors accelerate loss

Harsh shampoos strip away protective layers

Over weeks and months, keratin levels steadily decline

Your hair gradually becomes drier and more fragile

The Visible Signs

Keratin deficiency manifests in obvious ways.

You notice:

Hair feels dry and straw-like

Increased breakage and split ends

Dull, lifeless appearance

Frizz that won't respond to conditioner

Loss of elasticity (hair snaps instead of stretches)

Difficulty styling and managing hair

Why Topical Products Alone Don't Work

This is the critical insight:

Most dry hair treatments are topical only.

They coat the outside of the hair strand.

But they don't repair the internal structure.

This is why your dry hair improves temporarily after conditioning, then gets dry again.

To actually fix dry hair, you need:

Internal keratin support (supplementation)

External keratin support (topical products)

A holistic approach addressing all contributing factors

The Complete Solution: Internal and External Support

Part 1: Internal Support With Functional Keratin™ Supplements

This is where transformation begins.

Why internal support matters:

Functional Keratin™ supplements provide keratin your body can actually use

They support your body's natural keratin production

They address the root cause (keratin deficiency) not just symptoms

Results are lasting, not temporary

Clinical evidence:

43% reduction in hair loss within 60 days

17.61% improvement in hair strength and integrity

Visible improvements in moisture, shine, and texture

Results continue improving through 12 weeks and beyond

How to use Functional Keratin™ supplements:

Take consistently daily (one to two capsules depending on product)

Take with food for optimal absorption

Results begin appearing within 2-4 weeks

Dramatic transformation by 8-12 weeks

Consistency matters more than dosage

Why Functional Keratin™ is superior:

Achieves 91% bio-identity to human keratin

Your body recognises it as compatible and uses it efficiently

Most supplements use cheap hydrolysed keratin (broken down, ineffective)

Only Functional Keratin™ delivers cellular-level repair

Part 2: External Support With Keratin-Infused Products

While internal supplementation builds from the inside, external products support from the outside.

Use a Triple-Keratin Complex™ system:

Shampoo:

Gently cleanses with coconut-derived, naturally-derived surfactants

Contains Functional Keratin™ for strength

Maintains scalp pH balance

Preserves protective scalp oils

Conditioner:

Delivers Functional Keratin™ directly where damage occurs

Deeply hydrates and nourishes

Seals the cuticle layer

Reduces frizz and improves manageability

Serum/Treatment:

Provides targeted keratin support

Protects against daily damage

Adds shine and smoothness

Can be used daily on damp or dry hair

Additional beneficial products:

Hair masks for weekly intensive treatment

Leave-in conditioners for ongoing protection

Heat protectant sprays (before blow-drying)

Lightweight oils (on ends only)

Part 3: Lifestyle and Nutritional Support

Supplements and products work best when supported by healthy habits.

Nutritional support:

Eat protein at every meal (eggs, fish, chicken, beans)

Include biotin-rich foods (almonds, sweet potatoes, spinach)

Eat zinc-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, beef, chickpeas)

Consume vitamin C (citrus, berries, leafy greens)

Include omega-3 sources (fatty fish, walnuts, flaxseeds)

Haircare habits:

Wash hair no more than 2-3 times per week

Use naturally-derived, gentle surfactant shampoo

Avoid brushing wet hair

Gently squeeze water from hair instead of rubbing with towel

Always use heat protectant before blow-drying

Minimise heat styling frequency

Wear sun protection (hat or UV spray) when outdoors

General wellness:

Drink adequate water daily

Manage stress (chronic stress depletes keratin)

Get 7-9 hours sleep nightly

Exercise regularly (improves circulation)

The Transformation Timeline

What to Expect Week by Week

Weeks 1-2:

Hair feels slightly softer

Reduced breakage when brushing

Topical products create immediate surface improvement

Weeks 2-4:

Noticeably improved hydration

Frizz begins to decrease

Hair is easier to manage

Shine starts returning

Weeks 4-8:

Significant improvement in texture

Split ends stop forming

Hair feels stronger and more resilient

Visible health improvement

Weeks 8-12:

Dramatic transformation

Hair looks genuinely healthy again

Moisture retention is strong

Hair is easy to style and manage

Months 3-6:

Complete revitalisation

Results continue improving

Hair has returned to optimal health

References and Further Reading

• Hair Structure and Keratin - PMC - Scientific overview of keratin's role in hair

• Dry Hair Causes and Solutions - Dermatology Times - Research on dry hair causes

• Heat Damage to Hair - Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology - Studies on thermal damage

• Effect of keraGEN IV Keratin Oral Supplementation - Lincoln Agritech - Clinical study showing 43% hair loss reduction

• Natural Surfactants vs. Harsh Sulfates - International Journal of Cosmetic Science - Research on gentle cleansers

• Nutritional Support for Hair Health - NIH - Evidence on protein and micronutrients

• KiriGlow Keratin Supplement - Kiri10 - Functional Keratin™ supplement powered keratin support

• Triple-Keratin Complex™ Haircare - Kiri10 - Complete haircare system for dry hair