Protect Your Hair from Humidity
After these few weeks of extreme heat your hair looks… well, probably a little beat up. Or dead. Or both. Same for us. We asked one of the trendiest hair stylists in town to give us some pro tips for how to keep hair strong, shiny and beautiful during these though times.
Why does hair frizz?
You may have just spent a good portion of your morning trying to tame your mane but upon stepping outside your efforts are dashed. Damn it! During these intensely humid months the air is full of hydrogen (as each particle of water contains two elements of hydrogen) and your hair is the first responder to the increase.
Hair, even if it feels dry, retains airborne moisture. That hygroscopic nature of hair is what causes swelling, as moisture will open the outside cuticles.
However, each hair type responds differently, even various strands on the same head can react unpredictably.
Healthy hair generally keeps about 15 percent of water weight, in humid conditions it can retain roughly 30 percent of total moisture. Damaged hair, and porous strands, however, can absorb to go up to 55 percent, a factor that produces unrelenting frizz, puffy locks and dullness.
How do we fight the frizz?
Shampoo
In humid conditions we tend to wash our hair more frequently right? Well you shouldn’t, because each time you wash away your natural scalp oil (sebum). Because many shampoos contains SLS (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) or SLES (Sodium lauryl ether sulfate). These two agents dry out your hair and scalp.
Plus make sure you use a conditioner to help seal your hair.
TIP: Try to wash your hair once (not twice), adding a little water to encourage lathering. Avoid too hot water, it will swell the hair and open the cuticle layer. Dry shampoo is a good back up in-between regular washes and will boost volume at the root.
Conditioning
Moisturize more often! It fights the effects of humidity. Naturally curly and coarse hair requires a high moisture content, while fine or chemically damaged hair benefits from lighter products that also contain proteins for strengthening. But watch out, in dry climates, proteins can make the hair brittle.
TIP: Apply to the mid lengths and ends only for fine hair, for coarse and dry scalp conditions apply all over. Finish with a cool water rinse, colder water will seal the cuticle layer, encouraging smoothness and shine.
Treatments
Intense nourishing masks will boost the effects of your regular conditioner. Although it may seem counterintuitive, adding as much moisture to the hair as possible to prevent the absorption of moisture from the air right?
TIP: Heat up your mask in a hot water basin before applying, this aids the absorption, wrap the hair and keep warm for at least 20 minutes. Add a few drops of your favorite oils to your mask, such as jojoba, argan, coconut or olive
Brasilian Keratin and Cysteine smoothing treatments
These treatments are designed to keep the hair smoother and straighter all year round. Unlike chemical straightners, they restore essential proteins found in the hair naturally that have been lost over time. Semi permanent solutions that can help to reduce curl and frizz dramatically during humid conditions
Leave in conditioner - oils and serums
Use lighter products in humidity so the hairs do not become weighed down. Silicones are under much controversy and debate. Good silicones in hair will wash away easily, and the bad ones will build up in the hair causing it to be limp and lifeless. Light oils with a more fluid consistency are easier to manage.
TIP: jojoba and argan are especially similar to the scalp’s natural oil
Towel drying
Make sure not to ruffle your hair excessively when towel drying, this will only encourage the hair to be frizzy, instead blot dry and squeeze the water out of the hair.
TIP: Use an old t-shirt instead of a towel to protect the hair from being ruffled. Also try a satin pillowcase that glides on the hair during the night and lessens the frizz.
Drying
Allow your hair to dry naturally a little before blowdrying, the less you heat it the less damage you create. Use the dryer on a medium. Always point your dryer from the roots down to the tips, this will have a smoothing effect and seals the cuticle layer. Going against the hair will cause more frizz.
TIP: Make sure your hair is completely dry before you go out, hair that is not dry will continue to absorb moisture from the air. Don’t drag a brush through hair when it’s too wet, instead hold the hair taught at the tips with your hand and use the dryer in a downward motion along the stretched locks to dry and smooth. Finish with a cold blast.
Brushing
Use a natural boar bristle brush and a wide tooth comb, combing the hair when wet stretches it and causes breakage, better still use your fingers to detangle the hair and a wide tooth comb. For blow drying use a natural bore bristle brush it will be kinder to your hair.
TIP: A good blow dry result depends on hair that was stretched during the drying process, use the brush to add tension while the dryer smoothes the hair, try not to snag the hair too much with excessive brushing.
Flat ironing and curling
Flat ironing your hair before you go out into humid weather may increase the chance that it will curl or frizz up. This is because flat ironing can dry out your hair and then it will try to absorb moisture from the environment when you go outside.
TIP: Skip the flat iron on humid days.
Up styles
The pony tail is your friend! On the days that you don’t wish to wash your hair and you feel it’s in need of help, try braiding or putting your hair up. Apply some dry shampoo to the roots for added volume and style the ends into a braid, pony or clips.
DEAL
What you can get: For any cysteine smoothing treatment or moisture mask treatment pick between 10% discount or a sulfates free shampoo complementary gift.
When: Tuesday – Friday while stocks last
How to book : booking code ( shanghai WOW! ) given at time of booking, Until the End of August
Stephen Buchanan Hair Studio
Address: Maoming Nan Lu N 133, Lane 133, number 11
Phone: 021-64735306
We are looking for people who love life, food and travel to join our team! Currently we are recruiting for the following positions:
Nightlife Editor
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Ideal candidates are talented, energetic and creative people who can work in a fast paced environment, and Chinese skills are a plus.
Want to take on a challenge?
Please send your cover letter and CV to:
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