Seasonal Hair Care: Preventing Damage to Hair Through Every Season

When it comes to hair care rituals, many of us are familiar with the essentials: shampoo, condition, treat with a mask, and book in the occasional trim and shape. Your basic (yet essential) hair care routine 101.

But what about seasonal hair care? 

The weather actually plays a bigger role in our hair health than we realise – and it makes sense. Our hair and scalp are exposed to the elements on a daily basis, and while these parts of the body are resilient, harsh conditions and season changes can cause damage to hair.

From summer's scorching heat to winter's chilly winds, each season brings its own set of challenges for hair health. But don’t panic; you don’t need separate product sets or infinite serums to deal with each season.

Rather, try implementing some simple yet conscious changes to your hair care routine that align with what your hair craves throughout the year. So, let's dive into our seasonal hair care guides to help you maintain – and boost – your mane's health through every season.

Summer lovin’ is in full swing during this season. Many of us embrace the sun-kissed skies and hot weather with beach trips, late afternoon walks, and weekend swims.

Despite its allure, summer can be one of the most damaging seasons to your hair. But by implementing a few easy tips, you can protect and hydrate your locks to withstand the heat.

• Protect from UV damage: The scorching sun can wreak havoc on your hair, causing dryness and damage. Luckily, the solution is simple – and stylish. Don a cap (or wide-brimmed hat for extra protection) to shield your hair and scalp from harmful UV rays.
• Minimise chlorine exposure: If you're hitting the pool to beat the heat, be mindful of chlorine exposure that can cause damage to hair. Rinse your hair with fresh water before and after swimming to minimise the drying effects of chlorine – or, better still, rock a bathing cap in the water to keep the chlorine out.
• Limit heat styling: Hot summer days call for easy, breezy hairstyles. Minimise heat styling as much as possible to prevent further damage. If you simply must use heat tools (we know the necessity of a good blow dry), be sure to apply a quality heat protector spray to shield your strands. 
• Hydrate with masks: Replenish moisture lost to the summer heat with a hydrating hair mask. Treat your locks to a nourishing mask once every couple of weeks (or according to the label on your preferred hair mask) to keep them soft, smooth, and hydrated all season long.

Summer’s out, and autumn is in. Along with beautiful brown leaves, pumpkin spice lattes, and crisp morning air, autumn can bring with it harsh winds and drying conditions.

As the air cools and the humidity drops, your scalp produces less sebum (aka its natural oils), which can lead to itchiness, dryness, and irritation. 

Autumn is the season to treat your scalp to the care and love it deserves. By doing so, you’re not only protecting your scalp, but you’re also setting yourself up for gorgeous hair for the rest of the year.

So, what’s the best hair care for dry, damaged hair during autumn?

• Focus on scalp health: After months of sun exposure and the onset of cool, dry weather, autumn is the perfect time to focus on scalp health. Use a nourishing serum like Dr Tanya’s Holy Basil Hair Serum to hydrate, nourish, and promote healthy hair growth.
• Lock in moisture: As the weather begins to cool, lock in moisture with a leave-in conditioner. Prevent dryness and breakage by keeping your locks hydrated and nourished as temperatures drop.
• Detangle and brush: As the wind picks up during autumn, you might notice more tangles than usual. Brush your hair regularly this season (and all year round) to keep it healthy and prevent brittleness.

Find yourself craving hot showers during winter? What about blow drying your hair for a little longer than is necessary? It’s no secret that we all crave heat during cold months, but our hair isn’t so keen.

Though it’s tempting, too much heat (even during cooler temperatures) can cause damage to our hair and scalp. Try to remember these simple hair care tips to keep your locks luscious.

• Reduce washing frequency: Over-washing can further strip your hair of essential oils, leading to increased dryness. Reduce the frequency of hair washing, especially with hot water, to prevent further moisture loss and preserve your hair’s natural oils.
• Say no to heat styling: Give your hair a break from heat styling tools during the winter months. Opt for heat-free hairstyles and embrace your natural texture to avoid further damage. If zero heat for three months isn’t realistic for you, that’s okay! Instead, try reducing your heat styling to once or twice per week.
• Continue scalp health: Pay close attention to your scalp health to prevent dryness and flakiness. Brush regularly and keep up your twice-weekly use of our Holy Basil Hair Serum. 
• Combat dryness: Cold temperatures and indoor heating can strip moisture from your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Combat this by investing in ultra-moisturising products like Dr Tanya's Holy Basil Conditioner, which is infused with Holy Basil, Green Tea, and Licorice Root with Sunflower Seed Oil and Silk Amino Acids to nourish and repair from roots to tips.

Okay, we’ll let you in on a secret: spring is our favourite month. New flowers bloom, perfect temperatures set in, and our hair is generally happy. 

There’s not too much that should damage your hair or scalp during the mild spring months, so take the opportunity to nourish and care for your locks as much as possible.

• Air dry for less damage: As the weather warms up, let your hair air dry whenever possible to lessen heat damage. Embrace your natural texture and give your strands a break from heat styling tools.
• Boost with hair serums: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – hair serums, like the Holy Basil Hair Serum, are your go-to for elevated hair care and scalp health. Keep your locks shining for that gorgeous springtime glow and embrace the season of new growth!
• Promote growth with scalp massages: Stimulate hair growth by incorporating scalp massages into your routine. Massage your scalp gently with your fingertips to increase circulation and promote healthy hair growth.

Even with the best intentions, it's easy to fall into harmful habits that can cause damage to hair.

In a rush for work? Skip the heat protector and go straight to the blow dryer. Run out of a quality shampoo and conditioner? Grab the closest off-the-shelf bottle that you know is probably full of chemicals.

Whatever your current hair care faux pas, don't panic. Be kind to yourself. Unless you're bleaching your hair once a month, then it's not the end of the world.

To help get you out of whatever main maintenance rut you might be in, here are some common hair care mistakes – and how to avoid them:

Using the wrong shampoo and conditioner for your hair type can lead to issues like dryness, frizz, or excess oiliness. If your scalp is on the sensitive side, you may also benefit from natural hair care products rather than synthetic (though this isn't necessary for everyone, it can be useful to test out different products).

Take the time to identify your hair's needs and choose products specifically formulated to address them. Dr Tanya’s natural products, for example, provide some of the best hair care for dry, damaged hair.

Too much heat to your head like blow-drying, straightening, or curling can weaken the hair shaft and cause breakage and split ends. 

Whenever possible, limit your use of heat styling tools or use them on a lower heat setting. Always apply a heat protectant product before styling to minimise damage.

Hair always takes the spotlight, but what about our scalps? As we mentioned above, a healthy scalp is essential for healthy hair growth. Neglecting scalp health can lead to issues like dandruff, itchiness, and even hair loss. 

Incorporate scalp treatments into your routine, such as gentle massaging with nourishing hair serums, to promote a healthy scalp environment.

Washing your hair too frequently can strip it of its natural oils, leading to dryness and damage. On the other hand, not washing your hair often enough can result in product buildup and scalp issues. 

Find a balance that works for your hair type and lifestyle. At Dr Tanya, we like to aim for a wash twice per week to preserve our natural oils.

Regular trims are essential for maintaining healthy hair and preventing split ends. Aim to trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to remove damaged ends and promote growth. 

Even if you're growing out your hair, regular trims can help keep it looking its best. Plus, you get to indulge in those to-die-for scalp massages at the salon!

Ready to tackle your hair care head-on this year? We love to hear it. Set yourself up for ultimate success with Dr Tanya’s Hair Wellness Trio, a bundle of our go-to hair products that will leave your locks feeling and looking luscious, shiny, and healthy.

Inside, you’ll get:

• Holy Basil Hair Serum (30ml) to revitalise dull, tired-looking hair instantly for a radiant, healthy appearance.
• Holy Basil Shampoo (250ml) for stronger, healthier hair thanks to the transformative powers of sacred Indian Holy Basil.
• Holy Basil Conditioner (250ml) that champions conditioning botanical ingredients for healthy and luscious locks.

Infused with natural ingredients like Licorice Root, Green Tea, and Silk Amino Acids, this luxurious hair care bundle delivers unparalleled results, leaving your hair feeling silky soft and ultra-nourished.