Why Does My Hair Feel Like Straw? Causes and Solutions

If your hair feels like straw, you’re not alone. Many issues can make your hair look (and feel) rough, brittle, and frizzy.

While it’s not uncommon to have a bad hair day now and then, persistent dry hair is usually your hair’s way of saying it needs some TLC. The good news? With the right treatments, straw-like, damaged hair can become soft, shiny, and healthy once again.

Let’s explore why your hair might feel rough and wiry and, most importantly, how to fix straw-like hair with targeted care.

When your hair feels dry, wiry, and rough to the touch, it’s typically due to a lack of moisture or hydration. It might also be a sign of damaged hair.

First, a quick primer on the anatomy of your hair shaft. Your hair’s primary protector is the outer layer, called the cuticle. The hair cuticle is made up of a protein called keratin, which protects the inner layers of your hair. 

When the hair cuticle is damaged, moisture escapes. This can cause your hair to look and feel like straw. Straw-like hair may be frizzy, brittle, and prone to breakage.  

But what can damage your hair cuticle in the first place? Common causes of straw-like hair include:

• Sun exposure. Prolonged UV exposure can dry out hair, making it brittle and prone to breakage.

• Dry air. Low humidity environments might strip moisture from your hair. 

• Chlorine and salt water. Frequent swimming in pools or oceans can dehydrate hair and damage the cuticle.

• “Hard” water. In some areas, tap water contains high levels of minerals, which can stick to your hair, causing damage and a rough, straw-like texture. If you’ve moved recently and your hair has become more straw-like or breakable, hard water might be to blame. 

• Heat styling. Frequent use of hot tools like curling irons, straighteners, or hair dryers can damage the cuticle and lead to dryness.

• Protein overload. Surprisingly, too much of a good thing can be harmful. Overusing protein-based hair products without balancing moisture can cause hair to feel dry and brittle due to a build-up of protein. 

• Chemical treatments. Hair dye, bleach, relaxers, and perms can weaken hair structure, making it feel rough and straw-like.

If you’re wondering, “why is my hair wiry?” consider that it could be one of these factors — or even a combination — that’s causing the issue.

The good news? You’re not destined to have straw-like hair forever. You can usually restore softness, shine, and elasticity to your hair by using the right products and limiting damage. 

Here are a few tips and home remedies for straw-like hair:

1. Use Hydrating Hair Care Products

Dehydration is often the root cause of straw-like, brittle hair. Focus on hydrating your hair to keep it soft and healthy. 

You can try the following:

• Use a deep conditioning treatment once a week to replenish moisture.

• Look for hair care products that contain glycerin, aloe vera, argan oil, and other nourishing ingredients.

• Try a leave-in conditioner for added hydration between washes.

Keep a look out for products that work for your hair texture. For example, if your hair is curly, use products specifically designed for curly hair.

2. Limit Damaging Practices

Sometimes, our hair care habits damage the hair cuticle, contributing to frizz and dryness. 

Try to cut back on heat styling where possible. If you blow dry your hair, use a lower heat setting. And if you need to use a blow dryer or another heat styling tool, always apply a heat protectant first.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to cut down on drying chemical treatments. If you perm, dye, bleach, or relax your hair, consider stopping this — or at least reducing the frequency of your treatments. 

3. Protect Your Hair from the Elements

If environmental factors are drying out your hair, physical protection can help. Consider wearing a hat or scarf in the sun to shield your hair from UV rays.

Salt water and chlorine can dry out your hair as well, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Try using a cap when swimming in chlorinated pools or salt water. Alternatively, rinse your hair straight after swimming.

4. Use Hair Oil Treatments

If you’re looking for home remedies for straw-like hair, certain natural oils can make for excellent, nourishing hair treatments.

The best oils for healthy hair include:

• Argan oil

• Coconut oil

• Grapeseed oil

• Jojoba oil

Apply a few drops of the oil to the lengths of your hair. You can also use oil as a hair care mask by leaving it on your hair for a few hours (or even overnight).  

5. Trim Split Ends

Regular trims are important for all hair types — whether your hair is straw-like or looks perfectly healthy.

Trimming your hair often can prevent split ends from traveling up the hair shaft, which can worsen the straw-like texture and make your hair look frizzy.  

A stylist or barber can advise you on how often you need to trim your hair. Generally, you should get a trim between every 6 weeks and every 12 weeks, depending on your hair type. 

6. Try an Air Humidifier

Dry air can strip your hair of moisture. Consider using a humidifier on dryer days to boost moisture. 

As a bonus, humidifiers might also help with dry skin. They can also soothe dry, allergy-prone nostrils.

7. Use a Clarifying Shampoo

If hard water or protein overload could be causing your hair to feel like straw, you might want to use a clarifying shampoo. Clarifying shampoos reduce mineral deposits and product buildup in your hair. 

Be sure to choose a shampoo that works with your hair type. Some clarifying shampoos contain sulfates, which might not suit people with curly or wavy hair.

8. Consider a Shower Filter

If you live in an area where water is hard, you might benefit from using a high-quality filter in your shower. The filter reduces the mineral content of your tapwater, which can reduce mineral buildup in your hair.  

Since mineral buildup can make your hair sticky and straw-like, switching to a shower filter can make a big difference. 

9. Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

Your diet is probably not causing your hair to feel like straw, but when it comes to hair health, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention it. 

Healthy hair starts from the inside. In order to produce hair cells, your body needs a number of vitamins and minerals, including zinc, iron, and protein. 

Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition can affect how your hair looks — and it can even slow down hair growth and contribute to hair loss. 

To keep your hair looking its very best, eat a varied diet that’s rich in vegetables, fruits, protein, and whole grains. If you’re struggling to meet your nutritional needs, consider using a supplement like our biotin gummies.  

When your hair feels like straw, it’s often a sign that your strands need extra hydration, protection, or a tweak to your hair care routine. 

• Straw-like hair is caused by cuticle damage. This causes your hair to become dehydrated, leading to damaged, dry hair that’s prone to frizz and breakage. 

• Many factors can make your hair look and feel like straw. Too much heat styling, UV exposure, chlorine, and chemical treatments can damage your hair, causing it to look and feel like straw. 

• Straw-like hair can be fixed. By addressing environmental factors, cutting back on damaging habits, and using hydrating products, you can restore softness, strength, and shine to your mane.

Whether it’s a deep conditioning treatment, a nourishing hair mask, or a little extra love for your scalp, making a few adjustments can take your hair from rough to radiant in no time.

However, if your hair remains dry and brittle despite your best efforts — or if you notice other concerning symptoms — don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance.