If you’ve ever faced adverse weather conditions, you’ll agree that weather can significantly affect your hair. Different weather scenarios—be it dry, humid, or harsh—can each wreak their own kind of havoc on your hair. When faced with these conditions, if you are not armed with adequate knowledge on how to care for your hair, your hair may suffer greatly.
One particularly challenging environmental factor is high humidity. Humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air, indicating the current moisture level relative to the maximum moisture the air can hold at a given temperature.
High humidity can be a huge challenge in hair care, often resulting in frizz, loss of definition, and generally unmanageable hair. However, understanding how humidity affects your hair and adopting targeted strategies can help you maintain beautiful, healthy-looking hair even in the most humid conditions.
In this guide, you’ll discover the impact of high humidity on hair, along with practical tips for managing and styling your hair in these challenging conditions.
Effects of High Humidity on Hair
Frizz
One of the most common challenges caused by high humidity is frizz. When hair fibers absorb moisture from the air during high humidity, they swell, causing the cuticles to lift. This disrupted cuticle layer leaves hair looking rough and unruly.
To understand what frizz means, imagine your hair as a smooth rope. When hair is exposed to very humid conditions, and frizz happens, it seems like that rope has become a bunch of frayed threads sticking out in all directions. That’s frizz.
Frizzy hair is very hard to manage; it appears rough and untamed and lacks the sleekness and shine of well-moisturized, healthy hair.
Breakage
Exposing your hair to highly humid environmental conditions can lead to hair breakage. The frizz caused by high humidity makes hair very difficult to style and manage. And so, attempting to force frizzy hair into certain hairstyles often leads to over-manipulation, which in turn causes breakage. Breakage is certainly not what you want for your hair.
Loss of Definition
For those blessed with curly or wavy hair, high humidity can spell trouble for your hair by diminishing its curl definition. The extra moisture in the air weighs down curls, making them lose their bounce and end up looking limp and less defined. This can be particularly frustrating, especially if you love ‘wash and go’ hairstyles.
Weakening of Hair Structure
High humidity can cause weakness of the hair structure. The constant absorption and release of moisture can gradually weaken the hair shaft, this makes hair more prone to breakage, thinning edges and split ends.
Scalp Issues
High humidity can also affect the scalp, creating a moist, warm environment that promotes fungal infections and dandruff. In humid conditions, hair can absorb excessive moisture, causing it to appear limp, flat, and lifeless. This is undesirable, especially for people with low-density hair.
Tips for Managing and Styling Hair in High Humidity
To keep your hair looking its best in high humidity, consider the following tips:
Use Anti-Frizz Products
To keep hair manageable in high humidity, use anti-frizz products like serums, oils, and leave-in conditioners. Serums and oils form a protective barrier around the hair shaft, preventing moisture from entering. Look for serums with silicones like dimethicone or natural oils such as argan or coconut oil. Leave-in conditioners can also smooth the hair cuticle and add an extra layer of protection against humidity.
Additionally, use anti-humidity sprays before and after styling to lock in your style and repel moisture. Some effective options you can try include Living Proof No Frizz Humidity Shield, Moroccanoil Frizz Control, and John Frieda Frizz Ease Moisture Barrier Hairspray.
Protective Styling
Opt for protective styles like braids, twists, buns, and updos in high humidity. These styles shield the hair from humidity, minimize friction and damage, keep hair contained, and reduce the surface area exposed to moisture.
Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners
Using moisturizing shampoos and conditioners helps maintain the hair’s moisture balance, reducing the likelihood of absorbing excess humidity.
Drying Techniques
While air drying can reduce heat damage, it can also leave your hair more prone to frizz during high humidity. Instead, use a blow dryer on a cool setting along with a diffuser to dry your hair, minimizing breakage and frizz.
Diet and Water Intake
Keep your body and hair, hydrated from within. Drink plenty of water and consume foods rich in vitamins and minerals that promote healthy hair, such as omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, and vitamins A and E.
Silk and Satin Accessories
Covering your hair with a silk or satin scarf can protect it from the effects of high humidity. This can help reduce friction and minimize frizz and breakage. Sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase also helps maintain your hairstyle and reduces overnight frizz.
Get Regular Trims
Regular trims prevent split ends and breakage, keeping your hair healthy and more humidity-resistant.
Avoid Over-Manipulation
Many Naturalists love to touch their hair, especially when put in certain styles such as twist-outs or braids-out. But we must keep in mind that constant touching or brushing can exacerbate frizz and breakage. Keep handling to a minimum once your style is set.
Adjust Your Hair Care Routine
You should adjust your hair care routine during high humidity to combat humidity-related issues. Incorporate specific products and techniques that address the unique challenges of high moisture levels. For example, you can switch some of your hair products to anti-humidity products and sprays during high humidity.
In conclusion, understanding how to adapt to different weather conditions is paramount in maintaining healthy hair. Following the steps listed above, you will surely enjoy beautiful and healthy hair even in intense humidity.
