NaturAll Hair Care in Dry versus Humid Weather
July 11, 2019
It’s finally summertime! Some of us have been rescued from the cold, harsh wind that blows during winter into the warm and sunny embrace of summer. And though we have great posts on how to care for your hair during summer and winter, we’ve never discussed what humidity does to our hair. We all check the weather app for the temperature, but how often do we look at the humidity level, which is just as important? I didn’t even realize there was a humidity section on my weather app until today.
Short Story-time: My friend recently went to the salon to straighten hair and her hair was popping. But the moment she stepped outside, the humidity caused her hair to frizz and her $40 went to waste. It was then brought to my attention that humidity is important in determining how to care for our hair.
Let’s get into the basics:
What is humidity? Humidity is defined by how much moisture is in the air and it can cause our hair to shrink, and expand like no man’s business. Dry climate has a humidity level below 40% and anything higher is considered humid climate. The climate is dry during winter, but it can also be dry during the summer. If the air where you live is dry, you’ll notice your hair and skin getting drier, and constantly in need of moisture.
You might not be surprised now to hear that your products and regimen should change based on the humidity of your climate! But while there are plenty of differences, there are some similarities too.
Before you continue through to this post, stop and check the humidity level of where you live (or where you're going on vacation!) Now that we know what humidity is, let's learn about the differences and similarities between natural hair care in dry climate versus humid climate.
Here's how you should change your hair regimen, products, and styles based on Humidity:
|
DRY (Winter/Dry Heat Weather)
|
HUMID (Tropical Weather)
|
|
Hair Reaction:
|
Hair gets tangled and frizzy because wind and harsh conditions suck moisture out of hair.
|
Hair gets frizzy because it gets too much moisture (like can we ever win?)
|
|
Styling:
|
Hairstyles that require hold will last longer in dry conditions. You can go for Flat Iron styles, Blowouts, Flexi rods, etc. with no worries about your hairstyle losing its hold.
|
Avoid blowouts and straightening your hair in humid climates because your hair will frizz fast! (Remember what happened to my friend). Wash n go’s are your best bet in humid climates. You can also opt for styles that are similar to your hair texture, like a braid out or twist out.
|
Hydration:
|
Your hair needs water and a simple solution is to feed it water! Hydrate your hair by drinking more water than the average person: more than 8 cups of water a day. Also, spray your hair with water everyday and regularly steam your hair.
|
Do not be deceived by the moisture in the air. Your hair will not stay hydrated if you don’t put in the work. Keep your hair hydrated always, so it does not look to moisture in the air for hydration.
|
|
Products:
|
Hydrate your hair with water-based products and avoid excessive oils. Your daily styling should include hydrating products like our Leave In Conditioner. Seal in that moisture with oil to create a barrier to prevent the moisture getting lost in air. Our Avocado Styling Bundle is just what you need.
|
Go for products with great hold, like gels and jellies. Don’t worry too much about the scrunchy feeling because the humidity will release the gel cast throughout the day. But remember, less is always more when using these products. You do not want build up in your hair or wait a long time before it dries. Our Flaxseed Styling Collection is your best friend in humid climate.
|
|
Ingredients:
|
Humectants are ingredients that attract moisture in the environment to your hair. The most common humectant is glycerin and it works great in climates that are not too dry or humid. However, if you are somewhere where there is no moisture in the air, the opposite is true. It will take water from your hair and distribute it in the air. So, you might want to avoid it if your climate is excessively dry.
|
Anti-humectants block moisture and reduce the chances of your hair getting frizzy from too much moisture. The most common anti-humectants are silicones and although they have gotten a bad rep in the natural hair community, they can be useful in this way. Silicones are not water-soluble so they prevent moisture in the air from penetrating into your hair strands, causing them to expand or shrink. These work great in humid climates.
|
When it comes to these next elements of your regimen, Humidity does not matter:
Protective Styling: First off, every season is protective style season. In dry conditions, we try to protect our hair from the harsh elements and dryness. In humid conditions, we protect our hair from frizzing up from too much moisture. Protective styles can be worn all year round! However, make sure to keep your scalp moisturized underneath the styles. Rub in your Leave In Conditioner and seal that moisture with your Pure Avocado Oil all year round Hunnayyy!
Drink Lots of Water: We mentioned above that you need to drink more water if you are in a dry climate, but you should be drinking plenty of water always. Drinking water is great for your skin and your HAIR. Your hair produces healthier strands when it is hydrated, so no matter the weather condition, make sure you stay hydrated!
Deep condition: This is important no matter regardless of the humidity condition you are in. You have to MOISTURIZE AND NOURISH YOUR HAIR! One of the best ways to do that is with our Fresh Avocado Deep Conditioner at least every other week. This way, you ensure that your hair is properly moisturized and isn’t looking to outside elements for moisture.
And that is it! I know that was a lot of information, but I hope you were able to digest it well. Also, let us know what climate you live in and what your personal strategy is to deal with it?
Muhga Eltigani
After years of using products that left her hair dry, damaged, and dull, Muhga Eltigani decided to chop off her hair and start over. For 6 months, she committed to using only natural ingredients on her hair- foods from her fridge and the grocery store with names she recognized, like avocados, olive oil, coconut, baking soda, and even eggs. She found support through an online community of women like her, sharing recipes and ingredients on Youtube.
← Older Post
Newer Post →
