Do you ever look in the mirror sometimes and wonder why your hair has suddenly become dry and frizzy? The truth is that bad hair days are a universal struggle. Let's not even talk about the battle against greasy scalps and limp braids during the hot, humid seasons. That’s one thing that can suck happiness from your day. 

But there’s good news. 

You see, just like we adjust our clothes for the weather, our hair care routine needs adjustments too! 

That’s why today’s post is aimed at helping you understand how the weather conditions can impact your hair's health and the key hair care tips (and products) you need to help you adapt your routine to each season so you can keep your hair healthy, strong, and looking fabulous all year round. ‍

Ready? Let’s get started. 

Understanding How Seasons Impact Hair

Temperature and humidity are two major factors that determine weather conditions throughout the year. Increased humidity can cause frizz, limpness, and scalp issues like dandruff for all hair types. This is because humidity causes the hair cuticle to raise, making hair more prone to absorbing moisture from the air, which can lead to frizz and lack of definition. It can also create a breeding ground for scalp issues like dandruff.

High temperature and humidity are common during the summer (in places like the USA and UK) and rainy season (in places like West Africa )

On the other hand cold, dry air can lead to dryness, breakage, and scalp irritation for all hair types. The reason is that cold air reduces moisture in the atmosphere, and dry winds can further strip moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Scalp irritation can also occur due to dryness.

Here's how you can keep your hair healthy during the hot & humid seasons :

• Taking care of your scalp regularly: Regular cleansing with a clarifying shampoo (at least every 1-2 weeks) helps remove product build-up and prevent dandruff. Look for shampoos labelled "clarifying" or "purifying."
• Deep conditioning like your hair depends on it: Deep conditioners replenish moisture lost due to humidity. Aim for deep conditioning treatments at least once a week during the wet season. A lot of customers have been thanking us for this deep-conditioning mayonnaise
• Wearing protective styles more often: Braids, twists, Bantu knots, and other protective styles minimize manipulation and help retain moisture, reducing frizz. If you want well-defined twists and twistouts you should use the Twist and Curl Pudding on our online store

3 Ways to Combat Dryness and Irritation During The Cold Dry Seasons:

• Moisture, Moisture, Moisture: This is the anthem for healthy hair during cold, dry seasons. Use leave-in conditioners, hair oils (containing coconut oil or shea butter), and hair creams to seal in moisture and prevent dryness.
• Be Gentle with Cleansing: Sulfate-free shampoos are your best friend during Harmattan. These are shampoos that cleanse your hair without stripping away your scalp's natural oils, which are crucial for keeping your hair hydrated. An example is African Naturalistas' moisturizing shampoo which you can check out on our online store  
• Still, wear protective styles: Braids, twists, and other protective styles are still a great option during Harmattan. However, during this dry season, focus on styles that help retain moisture even more. This could involve using sealing butter on your braids or twists to lock in moisture.

Hair Care Tips for the In-Between Seasons

In different parts of the worlds, people also experience short transitional periods between seasons. These periods can be confusing for your hair because the weather can be unpredictable, with some days feeling more humid and others feeling drier. We call these periods “in-between seasons”. 

Hair Care During the In-Between:

During these in-between seasons, the key is to maintain a balanced hair care routine. That simply means two things:

1. Using a Combination of Products: Continue using both moisturizing and clarifying products in your routine. You might need to adjust the frequency depending on the weather. For example, if you experience a humid day, use a clarifying shampoo to prevent build-up.
2. Becoming a “hair police”: You have to start paying close attention to how your hair feels. Is it dry and brittle? Or is it feeling a bit limp (lifeless) and greasy? Depending on your observation, adjust your routine based on your hair's needs. If your hair feels dry, increase the use of moisturizing products like leave-in conditioners and hair oils. If your hair feels greasy, use a clarifying shampoo more frequently.

Bonus Seasonal Hair Care Tips 

Minimize the Heat:

I know you love a good blowout or using a curling iron to switch things up. But the truth is that heat styling can be damaging to your hair, especially during the dry season. For that reason, try to minimize heat styling throughout the year, but particularly during Harmattan when your hair is already struggling with dryness.

Fuel Your Hair from Within:

Just like the rest of our body, our hair thrives on a healthy diet. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins provides the essential nutrients our hair needs to grow strong and healthy year-round. Don't forget to stay hydrated too! Drinking plenty of water helps keep your scalp healthy and promotes overall hair growth.

Conclusion

The different weather conditions that come with each season throws different challenges our way when it comes to hair care. Understanding how each season affects our hair and adapting our routine accordingly, can help us keep our hair healthy, strong, and beautiful year-round.

Remember, a little seasonal awareness goes a long way! 

What you need to do is to start paying attention to the weather and how your hair reacts to it. Don't be afraid or reluctant to adjust your products and styles to meet your hair's needs.

We all have our hair care tricks and tips!

Share your favourite seasonal hair care secrets in the comments below let others learn from you. Let's help each other out and keep our God-given hair thriving all year long!

See you next week 🙋‍♀️

P.S. You can get all the product recommended in this post on our online store.