Halloween can wreak havoc on your hair! From rinsing out the smell of smoke machines if you were at a party, to temporary colors, and wearing hairstyles that pull your hair tight multiple nights in a row. But you don’t have to “sacrifice” having fun or looking “gourdeous”, just make a few changes before, during, and after this “hair raising” holiday.
Below you’ll find a three hair problems that occur from styling Halloween hairstyles, and how to prepare your locks so you don’t end up with a “fright” if your hair becomes brittle, frayed, and breaks.
Washing Routines
Once the party, or parties are done, you’re going to want to wash the smell and colors out of your hair. Start with a regular daily use shampoo that does not agitate your scalp or dry your hair. Once the festivities are over, use a clarifying shampoo as it removes the excess buildup and residue from the series of parties, and so your scalp can breathe.
Clarifying shampoos are intense and can remove the sebum from both your hair and scalp, so it is important to moisturize after. It is also a good idea to use a hair oil with argan or coconut as a main ingredient. These oils can penetrate the hair shafts to moisturize better than others. If you don’t like oils, don’t worry! Use a silicone based hair mask for some additional hydration. Not all silicones are bad for your hair, so don’t believe the myth or worry about it.
Although you cannot repair hair because the cells are not alive, you can protect it from further damage with proper washing routines and at the right frequency.
Heated Hair Styles
Lots of Halloween hairstyles require heated tools! It could be a bob cut for a flapper look, a sleek style with a bump for a vampiress, or curls for a glamorous movie star and mermaid. The heated hair problems that seemingly “rise from the dead” happen more often if you're using heat tools daily. Here’s some ways to help mitigate damage, and keep your hair “boo-tiful”.
- Keep the temperature as low as possible, below 200 if you have fine hair, and below 300 for thick.
- Use a pre heat treatment (protectant) before using the heated tools so the heat damage is reduced.
- If you can use a daily shampoo and conditioner with a heat protectant and hydrating oils or ingredients, it is worth the added cost.
- Wash your hair with cooler water as it helps maintain sebum and doesn’t irritate or dry your scalp as much as hot water.
- Use a deep conditioning mask or oil treatment as often as needed and instructed on the packaging.
- Leave in conditioners will become your friend if you plan on using heated tools for each of the events and parties you're attending. And you may need them again for the rest of the upcoming winter holidays. It’s an extra cost now that pays off all season long.
And if you can avoid heat by doing styles like heatless curls, go for it. Your hair will thank you!
Wigs and Tight Hairstyles
Any time you pull your hair tight, whether it is to keep it under a wig and secured with a bobby pin, or for a tight style like a sleek high ponytail for a genie, you strain the follicles and agitate your scalp. Both of these can lead to hair loss whether it is from scratching your head leading to shedding, or damage to the follicle itself. (Studies from the American Academy of Dermatology Association and the Cleveland Clinic are below if you want to learn more about the reasons why these cause hair loss and shedding.) But don’t let this “frighten” you away from the perfect look.
The first way to combat the damage is to find an alternate hairstyle for some of the nights. Save the ultimate look for the most important parties and events. This way you’ll help reduce the frequency of strains on your scalp, and give yourself time to reduce irritation. Another option could be changing the tools you use.
For example, elastic hair ties tend to fray hair more than spiral hair ties because of the friction. And TELETIES has a fabulous collection of Halloween hair clips and ties if you’d like to try something themed for the season.
If you need to remove tangles, try a brush or wide toothed comb. There’s less tugging and pulling compared to a regular comb, and you may need less strokes. The reduced amount of strokes means less pulling and friction which helps to reduce the irritation and potential damage.
Halloween is for fun, and you don’t have to sacrifice your style, or your hair, to celebrate. With proper hair care routines based on how you create your look, you can enjoy your Halloween style all season long. Subscribe to the TELETIMES blog below for more hair care guides like this.
