5 Tips for Healthy Hair this Fall

The days are getting shorter and the leaves are changing color. The weather is getting cooler and drier. It’s a great time to get out and enjoy the end of summer. But have you noticed the changing seasons having an impact on your skin and hair?

The drier air means drier hair. And if you have spent a lot of your summer months in the sun, wind and water, your hair probably isn’t in the best shape right now. But we can fix that! Follow our fall hair tips to get your hair in shape for the cooler months.

1. Clarify

The end of summer can mean you have lots of build-up in your hair. Build-up from hair spray, suntan lotion, gels, chlorine, even from your regular shampoo and conditioner. Using a clarifying shampoo will help remove this junk that may be weighing your hair down.

You don’t want to use a clarifying shampoo every day as it will strip and dry your hair. Once or twice a month is probably often enough. If you have colored hair, you can still use a clarifying shampoo. Just don’t use it more than once a month and not right after you have it colored.

You may need to use extra conditioner after you clarify as it may not have the same conditioners your regular shampoo does.

2. Condition

Moisture. Get ahead of the weather and start adding moisture now. Your hair reacts to the cooling temperatures and drop in humidity the same way your skin does, it dries out. You may need to change your shampoo and conditioner to a more moisturizing formula. Consider deep conditioning once a week to keep hair healthy.

Now that you have added moisture, make sure you seal it in. Rinse conditioners out with cold water to seal the cuticle and keep the moisture inside. Use a leave in conditioner or oil if needed.

3. Get a Trim

Even if you are trying to grow your hair out, a trim will keep it healthy and looking good. Summer sun, chlorine and pony tails may have caused split or brittle ends. Fall is one of the best times to get a cut or trim to remove this damage from the summer. Consider a new style if you need an update.

4. Color

Less time out in the elements means that hair color will last longer. You don’t have to go darker for fall, but those rich gold, red and copper colors will require less maintenance than during the summer months. Don’t forget to avoid using a clarifying shampoo right after you color.

5. Protect

Do you blow dry? Or use a flat iron? Heat can damage your hair if you’re not careful. You can burn your hair just like you would burn your skin. But instead of feeling the burn, you’ll see the damage.

Too much heat styling can dry your hair and make it brittle, even causing breakage. Always use good quality blow dryers and irons. Get ones with adjustable temperatures so you can find the lowest temp that works on your hair.

Irons can be more damaging than blow dryers. Look for an iron with a Teflon coating, they allow hair to slide through easily, making it less likely to burn..

Use a heat protecting spray or balm to protect your hair when you are using heat to style it. Most products contain a type of silicone to coat the hair and protect it from heat damage.

The change of seasons is a great time to freshen up your hair and keep it healthy. Use our tips from Minnesota School of Cosmetology to make sure your hair looks its best.