What the Change in Seasons Means for Your Natural Hair Care
When the seasons change, your natural hair care routine probably does too. Whether you have kinks, curls or dreadlocks, you’ve probably spent years dialing down your seasonal routines. For most people with natural hair, this means a lot of trial and error. That’s because natural hair exists on such a wide spectrum that it’s difficult to give advice that applies to everyone. Even so, there are four main factors to keep in mind.
1. Dry Weather Natural Hair Care
Dry weather can result from cold winter air or air conditioning units set on high during the summer. Whatever the cause, dry air can wreak havoc on your hair. Don’t wait until it starts splitting, breaking and shedding excessively. Invest in a humidifier to restore moisture in the air.
It’s also a good idea to buy a hygrometer so you can keep an eye on the level of humidity. Within a week, you should be able to determine the level of humidity your hair needs to thrive. Dry weather is also the ideal time to invest in protective styles so you can minimize stress on your hair.
2. Chlorine and Salt Natural Hair Care
Whether you spend winter relaxing in the hot tub or spend your summers on the beach, chlorine and salt can ruin the health of your hair. Professional stylists recommend getting your hair wet before getting into water that is salty or heavily chlorinated. When your hair is already saturated, it will soak up less of the chlorine and salt, which can prevent damage. After a dip in the ocean or pool, use clarifying shampoo and a deep conditioner to restore your hair to full health.
3. Natural Hair Scalp Health
The more active you are, the more concerned you may need to be about sweat and washing your hair. However, most professionals agree that natural hair should only be washed once per week or once every other week, depending on your specific hair type.
You can maintain scalp health in between washes by wiping with a clean, damp cloth. Using dry shampoo between washes is another excellent option. Changing the hair products you use during warmer seasons to lighter oils can also make a difference in how your scalp feels after exercising or after a warm day.
4. Natural Hair Care in the Sun
There are certainly some amazing benefits to getting out in the sun. However, the sun can damage hair cuticles. The bleached color might look beautiful, but it may not be healthy for your strands. Consequently, you may develop dry, brittle hair with split ends. This could cost you the thickness of your hair as well as the length.
Wearing a hat or a satin headscarf can make all the difference. Pay keen attention to the material — the softer, the better. Be sure not to wear your head covering too tight, as this could create breakage points in your hair over time.
At Beautifully Warm, we provide a wide range of head coverings to protect your hair from sun damage and low humidity. Check out our current collection to find the newest addition to your seasonal natural hair care routine.
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