Once you get into the middle of a new season, whether it’s the heat of summer or the cold of winter, you may begin to notice some changes in your hair.  It could become frizzy, dried out, or just plain limp, so knowing how to recognize and care for the changes can mean the difference between looking great and looking like you missed the mark.

If you’re suffering from serious “bad hair” this time of year, here are some quick and easy fixes you might consider:

* Change your regular shampoo and conditioner.  Moisture-rich formulas are great for the coldest winter days, but they can really weigh your hair down in the heat and humidity of summer.  Try a clarifying formula instead.

* Deep condition at least once a week.  Cold air and forced heat in the winter and sun and swimming in the summer can make for brittle hair.
 
* Give your hair a break from blow drying by letting it air dry whenever possible.  While that’s not always feasible in cold weather, shoot for it whenever you can as temperatures go up.

* Wear your hair in different ways to avoid putting strain on your hair.  Don’t always put it in hot rollers or under a flat iron, for example, and don’t always wear it in a pony tail or pinned up.  Vary the styles and styling routines for healthier hair.

* Wear hats for protection, particularly if you color your hair and will be out in the sun (color fades in sunlight).  You also want to protect your skin, scalp, and ears from sunburn.

* If your scalp gets itchy or your hair becomes frizzy and you know it’s not because of dandruff, skip a day or two in between shampoos to allow your natural oils to work their back way into your hair.  As I said before, the forced heat of winter and the daily swims in summer can really mess with the sebum (oil) levels on your body.

* In the summer, use a leave-in conditioner when you’re at the pool or on the beach to help restore moisture that can be stripped by sun and water.

* Try a shorter, easy-to-maintain style, particularly if just can’t stand all that hair on your neck in the heat of summer.  Nothing says “sassy!” like short hair.

* If you swim a lot, take extra-special care with your hair, particularly if it’s color treated.  Chlorine can damage your hair, and even turn it green.  Use an anti-chlorine shampoo and conditioner to help rid your hair of the chemicals.

* Stock your travel bag with different types of products so you’re not caught short-handed once you get where you’re going.  The clarifying shampoo you use at your humid home near the coast will frizz you out in the dry Rocky Mountains, just as the moisturizing products you use at home in the Alps will have you looking soggy after a few days at the beach.  Never assume anything; plan for everything.

Just as you wear different types of clothes in different seasons, so too should you consider your hair’s needs as the seasons change.  Moisturize it when it’s dry, clean it when it’s oily, and protect it from sun all year round. With just a little planning and some TLC, you can have a great hair day whatever the weather brings.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, June 7th, 2007 at 12:37 pm and is filed under Newsletter. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.