Dry? Or Damaged?

It's winter.

Boy, do I know it. I mean, my skin and my hair are constantly telling me about it!

How about yours? We exfoliate, slather up, condition and avoid too much washing, and every morning we gotta start all over! Thank you, furnace. Sincerely, thank you! Because I really hate being cold. But is it necessary to dry out the air to this extent when we already endure a desert climate?

photo credit: Blessed Moments Photography

As for the hair concern, my friends and I get a lot of questions from guests about whether their hair is dry or damaged. There are a few ways to tell what sort of condition you're facing. There are definitely solutions for both!

Here's what to look for:

Hair that snows!  When brushing the ends of your hair, do you see tiny pieces of "snow" flying around? If it isn't hairspray or gel build up, it's hair! Micro pieces from breakage that initially began as split ends. Why? It's probably one of three things; you have gone way too long without a trim, your last cut wasn't significant enough to stop the split or you've been over-processed with color or lightener (bleach). It's a hard truth to accept, I know. But friend, you're only solution is a good chop to where the split starts (or ends, depending on how you look at it). To put it off means individual hairs continue to split higher up toward the root, and an eventual dissolving of the ends themselves. This is damaged hair.

Flyaways and static working your nerves? This is a dry problem. In our current season, on top of being landlocked in the beautiful desert surrounding us, static happens! Hair is made up of atoms like all other matter, and those atoms are composed of electrons, protons and neutrons. When two objects rub together, one of them is going to lose electrons and become positively charged, while the other gains those electrons to result in a negative charge. When your hair is full of electrons, it constantly “repels” itself! When humidity is present, there’s less likelihood of static. Seasonally, this is a temporary condition, right? Let’s talk about ways we can control the occurrence of static, even while the air is dry as can be. 

>> Wash less. Yep! I’m throwing out the biggest challenge (for some of you) first! When we wash our hair, it goes on the defense. All the oils from both product and natural scalp production, go down the drain. Naked hair is helped by the moisturizing effects of a professional salon-grade conditioner, but it isn’t the same as the resilience that occurs over time between shampoos (ideally 3-5 days depending on your length and hair type). When the scalp has an opportunity to secrete healthy sebum at the roots of the hair, followed by a regular brushing that distributes that oil, the hair is shinier and stronger, with less propensity to wreak static craziness. It’s not easy in the beginning to skip a shampoo, I know. Your scalp is likely producing a lot of oil, if you’ve been a daily washer for like, ever! But this can change by just adding one day between washes with the help of a quality dry shampoo to keep you from feeling like a walking grease ball. (Eww!) Stop by the salon to pick up our favorite D.S. - Perk Up by amika.

>> Cut out the alcohol, pour on the oil! While not all alcohols are created equal (we find less intrusive versions in professional salon selections), keeping them limited is ideal when styling your ‘do. Beginning with a nourishing oil -- not silicone, which can emulate an oil effect while not helping the integrity of the hair -- following a wash will help nature along in sealing moisture into your driest parts. That’s the ends up to about halfway up the hair strand, where scalp oils are struggling to reach on that first day. We love Oi Oil and Hair Milk, and if you're a Moroccanoil fan shop for it here!  I truly believe that winter is the best time to give a go at less frequent shampooing and test out some quality moisturizers. When there’s humidity in the air, that moisture tends to trap natural and added oils that can create a greasy-looking effect. It’s better to condition for a new routine now so that by summer your scalp and hair are both getting with the program of a healthier, lower-maintenance glow!

>>Blowout with the best. When hair is dry, it’s at risk for breakage. So don’t tempt fate by putting heat and tension on your hair without a protectant. Rich styling creams, liquids or spray protectant are a must before the blow dryer and iron make contact. We love Amika's the shield, a lightweight, non crispy heat protection spray! A thorough blowout where the best primers (like Amika supernova) and tools are used is a lifesaver and a time-saver for subsequent days -- especially when we’re working toward that washing less thing. A quick spray of dry shampoo even on the day you do wash will help absorb quick-occurring oils during that first stretch.

Hair that snaps. Hair elasticity is crucial to keeping it intact. If your hair is constantly tangling, filling your brush and rough or spongy to the touch, you’re dealing with damage. Healthy strands stretch a lot when wet and not as much when dry. Then, when released, they bounce back! If it breaks easily or doesn’t go back into shape, this is a condition beyond repair. Adding keratin for strength can add some integrity superficially, but know that you are headed for a noticeable loss of length at your salon visit in order to make a reset happen for your hair. As I stated before, damaged hair can impact the healthy remaining hair when it’s not addressed with a suitable cut, deep conditioning solutions and a recommended at-home routine to keep locks at their best.

If dry hair is the issue you're facing, I promise there's hope to keep you from going into damaged territory! Book a Winter Relief Treatment with us today, and get all the expert advice on chasing away those arid vibes. For a quick fix that softens and defends from static, try silken up by Amika, a spray-on dry conditioner available right here at blush!

If you fear the damage has been done and you need to cut your losses, it's still a great plan to book that treatment so your artist can see what we're dealing with! Our goal is healthy hair for all and we have what you need to make it happen, love!

Beauty & blessings,

Maggie