Living in Chicago brings people happiness year-round, from the gorgeous lake to the ever-changing skyline. However, the extreme weather, from scorching summers to dry, cold winters, greatly affects the health of your mind, body, and hair. The seasonal extremes, strong wings, and pollution can make your hair look dry, damaged, and dreary if not taken care of.
Especially in the winter, putting extra care into keeping your hair healthy will ensure gorgeous and moisturized locks when it’s warm again. To avoid dryness, breakage, and frizz, here’s our guide on how to keep your hair healthy in Chicago’s extreme climate.
Keeping your hair hydrated and moisturized year-round can be tiresome, but it’s one of the most important steps in keeping your hair healthy. Being conscious every day of your water intake and your diet can affect the health of your body and your hair. Diets rich in vitamins and minerals improve your hair’s resilience and food with healthy fats can support hair’s retention of moisture.
Chicago winters are known for being cold and dry, which can cause moisture to strip from your hair. Using moisturizing shampoo and conditioner is an easy daily habit that can protect your hair from losing moisture, as well as investing in leave-in products like conditioners and oils. These can help reduce breakage and keep your hair soft and smooth.
The Winter winds can be brutal, and the summer heat is intense and humid. Protecting your hair from either environment is a part of keeping it healthy. In the summertime, direct sunlight can damage your hair. Using products with SPF in them that protect against UV penetration will ensure your hair stays healthy.
In the winter, the harsh cold and dry winds can cause brittle, fragile hair that easily breaks. Wrapping your hair up in a scarf or hat can help protect against the wind. Even better if the hats or scarves are made or lined with silk or satin, which reduces friction and prevents static. Adding a layer of protection to your hair can be the easiest way to ensure it stays healthy through all the seasons.
Not only can the harsh weather damage your hair but so can the pollution and air quality of the city. Pollutants can accumulate on your hair, causing dullness and dryness. Using clarifying shampoos every few weeks can help get rid of any build-up that might be on your hair. Using products with natural ingredients like aloe vera and coconut oils will help keep your hair healthy as well as avoid sulfates so you can keep the natural oils in your hair intact.
Keeping up with your salon visits can help protect your hair from Chicago’s weather. Trimming your hair regularly is great for getting rid of dead and split ends but can also provide a refresh when hair gets dry or dull. Professional care from salons ensures that you are getting the best cut with the best products. When the winter winds break and damage your hair, visiting a salon for a trim can help you maintain health after your hair is tangled, damaged and stressed.
Avoiding high heat year-round can be an easy solution to avoiding damage but its not always as simple as that. When its already dry and cold, using excessive heat on your hair can exacerbate damage. If you are having to use a hot tool, adding a heat protectant to your hair routine is one of the most important steps to protecting your hair from heat.
Heat protectants create a barrier between your hair and the heat being applied, ensuring the heat doesn’t cause as much damage. The spray works by not allowing the heat to penetrate the hair, which helps avoid damage and retain moisture. Finding a way to style curls without using heat can be extremely beneficial in the colder months; from rollers to towels to sock buns and more, research which product might work best for your hair type. Being able to effortlessly style your hair each morning will save you time and hair damage.
A seemingly simple solution that will protect your hair from further damage is investing in a humidifier for your bedroom (and more rooms if you want to be safe). Indoor heating is a huge culprit in hair dryness as it draws the moisture out of the air and your hair! A humidifier will add moisture back into the air in your home while also reducing static and creating a moisture-rich environment that will counteract any indoor heating.
Navigating the diverse climates of Chicago can be hard on your hair, no matter the season. With the right care and attention, you will continue to improve your hair’s health and keep your hair shiny, moisturized, and healthy year-round.
