As summer draws to a close and makes way for autumn, it’s time to say a sad goodbye to the long, light evenings and balmy weather for yet another year. In their place comes cosy evenings in by the fire, long winter walks and in many cases, ramping up the central heating – but all of this can take a toll on your hair if you’re not careful, leaving it looking less than its best.
In cooler temperatures, hair can become dry and unruly, losing its silky texture and becoming more difficult to style than earlier in the year. This is largely due to the low moisture content of cool outside air and heated indoor areas, and frequently changing between the two.
Wearing a hat to keep warm can also wreak havoc on your locks, creating static electricity and leaving hair looking frizzy and unkempt. The friction can also result in unnecessary areas of hair loss and dry scalp – a disaster if your hair is usually your crowning glory.
Thankfully, by following a few simple steps, you can easily minimise the damage and keep your strands looking silky and well styled – even in cooler weather.
Keep up with conditioning
In the summer months, you may find that conditioner is too heavy for your hair, but in autumn, it’s your secret weapon. Heat and friction can interfere with the hair’s natural structure, but using a rich conditioning treatment once a week can prevent it from becoming brittle or dull.
Style for success
Fly-aways and frizziness can become a daily frustration in winter, largely thanks to heated interior air and friction from hats and scarves. If you usually like to go au-naturel with your hair, then now is the time to introduce a daily styling product to your regime. A mousse, extra-gloss wax or pomade will easily keep things in check, and allow you to maintain your style throughout the day with ease.
Defeat dandruff
In autumn and winter, your scalp will often feel drier than during the summer, when the hair’s natural oils keep it hydrated – sometimes resulting in embarrassing and unsightly dandruff. To keep it at bay, introduce a gentle anti-dandruff shampoo to your routine. If your case is particularly severe, then see a pharmacist, who will be able to recommend a medicated formula to clear things up quickly and effectively.
Head off hat hair
Hat hair is an unfortunate side effect of keeping your head warm in the cooler months, and many would rather go cold. But getting the best of both worlds is possible, with the right styling tools on hand. Invest in a good volumizing spray to revive flat hair when you get to where you’re going, and no-one will even notice.
Try a transplant
If all that friction is proving too much for your locks to handle, then you have two options; either refrain from wearing hats indefinitely, or get a hair transplant! It might sound drastic, but the treatments available for hair loss these days are quick, effective and require minimal downtime.
FUE hair transplant surgery involves relocating hair from the back and sides of the head from a balding area, which will continue to grow over a 6-12 month period to recreate that thicker, fuller feel.
Maintaining a healthy mane of hair in the autumn months might feel like a challenge, but armed with the right styling tools and tips, it couldn’t be easier. There’s no need to compromise on looking good, whatever the season – and with these insider secrets, you won’t have to.
