As the season comes to an end, it’s time to shift the focus away from protecting your hair from the hot summer sun. Fall is a great time to give your hair an update and work on replacing some of the hydration lost over the warmer months. For some, the season change is an opportunity to take your hair from a bright, summery shade or style and try out something more in keeping with the cooler, darker weather. Read on for our hair care tips for the fall season.
Focus on Hydration
Even if you have been diligent about protecting your hair from the sun during the summer, it’s possible your hair has become a bit dry. Just like heat styling tools, the sun can dry out your scalp, leaving hair brittle and damaged. Fortunately, there are countless hair masks, treatments, and deep conditioners available that can help bring your hair’s natural oils back to a healthy level. Additionally, the shift in seasons can actually cause even more dryness. According to stylist Sasha Ivanovsky-Schow, “The transition between summer to fall is when it is vital to add a hair mask or change your shampoo or conditioner so your hair can adjust to the change in temperature.” Cold weather is also extremely drying, which is usually more noticeable when it comes to skin. However, the same goes for hair, so boosting hydration is a key part of transitioning into the cooler-weather months ahead.
Buy a Humidifier
If you live in an area that experienced cold fall seasons, investing in a humidifier might be a good idea. Cold-weather months can cause hair to become dry, as can indoor heating, which pulls moisture out of hair. A humidifier can help hair while you are indoors and help it retain natural, healthy moisture levels.
Use a Scalp Treatment
The same way it affects the rest of the skin, cold weather can wreak havoc on your scalp. It is important that your scalp maintains a healthy pH balance, which can be thrown off easily during the fall. If you are noticing dryness or itchiness, try a scalp scrub or restorative treatment. This will work to clear away dry, dead skin and bring your scalp’s pH balance back up to the proper levels for healthy growth.
Skip the Shampoo
Year-round, it is important to limit shampooing as much as you can to avoid damage. Shampoo is, by nature, extremely drying, even if you use sulfate-free products. This is especially critical as the weather gets cooler and it becomes even more difficult for skin to retain moisture. Try to develop a schedule in which you are shampooing your hair every other day at most. If your hair isn’t too oily, try rinsing with lukewarm water instead. If it is a little oily, use a dry shampoo to help increase the amount of time you can wait between shampoos.
Get a Trim or Cut
While you should be keeping up with regular trims every 8 to 12 weeks regardless of the season, the beginning of fall is a great time to get back on track should you have skipped a few due to vacations and summer road trips. Your summer hair might be in need of some damage control, especially if you have been spending a lot of time at the beach or at the pool. Your hairstylist can clear away dead ends and damaged growth to help get your hair healthy and shiny for the fall. You may even want to try out a new style altogether. The start of a new season is a great time to try a new look, so consult with your stylist if you are interested in mixing things up.
Try Out a New Color
During the summer, many people tend to gravitate towards brighter colors, pastels, and golden highlights. If you are interested in changing your hairstyle, you might consider a darker, more autumnal shade. If you are a brunette or redhead, consider “apple cider” highlights to incorporate natural fall colors. Blonde can try “wheat-toned” shades, as recommended by celebrity stylist Jenna Perry. Deep, inky raven-black is another popular choice for the cooler months.
Avoid Wet Hair
Although a hot shower can be appealing in the chilly fall months, hot water zaps moisture from hair. This makes is dry, brittle, and more vulnerable to breakage. Try to use lukewarm water in the shower and finish off with cold. Cold water helps the follicles to close and allows the conditioners and moisturizing products you have used to seal into your strands and work more effectively. Also, never go outside with wet hair while it’s cold outside. Your hair is at its weakest when wet, and cold air can actually cause hair to freeze and break off. Blow dry on the cool setting before going outdoors.
Prepare for Rainy Days
In many parts of the country, the fall season brings with it an increase in rainy days. Hair is made of keratin proteins with hydrogen bonds, which are affected by the environment and can be broken by water saturation. Letting your hair get too wet can cause it to become weak or even break. If you have color treated hair, it can hasten color fade, so it is important to cover up if you plan on being outside in the rain. Invest in a raincoat with a hood or an umbrella. Use a leave-in condition or anti-frizz serum to help lock moisture in and create a barrier between your hair and the humidity in the air.
Don’t Brush While Wet
Since your hair is at its most vulnerable when wet, try to avoid brushing until it’s dry. Brushing hair while it is wet can easily cause it to break off. Let it dry naturally or use a wide-tooth comb to detangle gently. Especially if your hair is curly, try combing it out right after shampooing while it is still saturated with conditioner.
Contact Us
If you are interested in changing your hairstyle, contact Eldorado today. Our experts can help you achieve a new look that makes you feel confident and happier with your appearance overall. Call 410-931-6077 to get started.
