You know that feeling at the end of a long summer’s day when your skin and hair feel dry and crispy because of the scorching sun and the dry heat you have been exposed to all day? Well, you are not alone. Most people living in dry climates suffer from this. Constant dryness affects hair substantially causing it to be more prone to breakage, frizziness, and brittleness. If you are looking to solve this problem, we had a professional hair photographer from NYC share with us his tips concerning the matter:
Cleanse your hair properly
Summer in dry climates, especially desert ones, causes the hair to accumulate sand and environmental debris. These can cause damage to the scalp, as well as bacteria buildup. The best solution is to cleanse it properly, at least once a month or according to your hair’s type and needs. Use a clarifying cleanser with peppermint oil or tea tree oil because they fight bacteria and infections. Follow it up with a moisturizing conditioner to avoid additional dryness.
Moisturizing and deep conditioning
Hot and dry weather can turn your hair lifeless and dull by vaporizing any moisture in it. This is because the surface moisture on your hair protects it from breakage, so when it is gone, the hair becomes prone to damage faster than before. You need to follow a conditioning routine that is appropriate for your hair type. Nonetheless, you should use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, in addition to a hair serum now and then. If your hair is still heavily affected, you can turn to deep conditioning, at least once a week until your hair is healthy again. It will revive and repair your hair by bringing moisture and strength back to it.
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
Hydration is important in dry climates for the sake of your own health, as well as the health of your skin and hair. Dehydration can cause hair loss and breakage because the roots and the hair become dry. It also deprives the hair of proper nutrition because water carries vitamins to the hair roots, so without enough water in the body, the hair will not be nourished properly. Therefore, drink lots of water and other fluids. You should also follow a healthy diet as a part of your plan to care for your hair. Consume fruits, vegetables, and protein to have strong, healthy hair.
Protect your hair from the sun
Just like any other part of your body, your hair also needs protection from the sun as it will take its toll on your hair by causing it to become brittle and dry. Yes, it can add those lovely golden highlights we all desire, but it can also strip it from its protein, damaging it in the process. The solution is simple, use a UV protection spray, and you are good to go. You can also opt to cover your hair with hats and scarfs when the sun is too harsh.
Things to avoid:
- Avoid hot styling tools and save your hair from additional heat
- Avoid split ends by trimming your hair regularly (at least every six weeks) to prevent the splits from traveling up the hair
- Avoid shampooing your hair before swimming in chlorinated water because you would be stripping your hair from its natural oils that protect it
- Avoid swimming when your hair is dry. Make sure to wet it before swimming to lessen chlorine absorption
- Avoid the effects of the chemicals left after swimming by rinsing your hair immediately after you finish.
I hope that the tips in today’s article can help you to get healthy hair in even the dryest of climates!
Related Article: The Fitzpatrick Skin Type and Why You Should Know It
