Do you have to travel for work or pleasure? If so, do you worry about your hair during the journey? It can be hard to find a stylist in a new place, and sometimes people don’t know what they are doing. Here are some hair care tips that show you easy ways to maintain healthy hair while you’re traveling.
CONTENTS – In this article, you’ll learn some great tips on how to keep your hair looking great while you travel, including:
- Use Fewer Chemicals and Less Heat
- Gently Brush Your Hair
- Trim Dry Ends at the Right Time
- Avoid Overwashing Your Hair
- Try Using Detangling Products
- Condition, Condition, Condition Your Hair
- Prevent Hair Products from Building-Up
- Lock in Moisture with Scalp-Healing Oils
- Final Thoughts on Travel Hair Care Tips for Healthy Hair
Use Fewer Chemicals and Less Heat
If you’re traveling for an extended period, it’s best to stay away from chemicals and heat.
Chemicals in hair products penetrate the hair shaft, which can cause irreversible damage when left on too long.
In addition, heat always causes some type of damage, no matter what precautions you take. So, it’s best not to expose hair to these harsh elements.
Plus, the jet lag and change in time zone can cause a lot of havoc on the body’s natural circadian rhythm.
This results in increased oil production from the scalp, which worsens when traveling for more extended periods.
If you’re in a bind and need to use some type of product, try opting for the lesser of two evils. Choose products that are less likely to have ingredients that can cause damage, such as silicone or alcohol.
Gently Brush Your Hair
Your hair doesnโt need to be perfect or even brushed sometimes.
In fact, when you just let it air dry after a shower, it’s generally healthier for your locks than if you were to brush them out constantly.
That said, there are some times that brushing is helpful: when you have buildup on your scalp from too much product or when there is excess oil and dirt on your hair.
If you have a product buildup in your scalp, brushing can quickly get rid of that, so it doesnโt interfere with the next time you style your hair.
It also helps to brush out some of those knots before they get too tight.
When you have excess oil and dirt on your hair, brushing can help strip that off. That way, it doesnโt feel disgusting or look greasy when you style it.
Plus, all the time spent combing out knots will make styling much easier for you.
The best way is just to brush your scalp with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
If you have long hair, it might be hard to brush all the way through on your own, so a friend may need to help out and do some of the work for you!
A smoothing treatment, like KeraNew Nourishing Hair Complex, can make your hair soft and more relaxed.
Donโt forget that brushing is very gentle, but brushing harshly can damage your locksโso brush with care.
Trim Dry Ends When It Looks Dry
Many people don’t realize it, but hair can get so dry that there’s no saving the ends.
In addition, when you’re traveling, you expose your hair to a lot of different weather conditions. Your scalp may be more sensitive during travel due to stress or improper hygiene practices. These factors can make the ends of your hair feel more dry than usual.
The best thing you can do is trim off the dead and dry ends of your hair if they start looking this way. To make sure you trim just the ends, use small hair clips to hold your hair back while trimming off the dead pieces. This will also prevent any accidents that may happen if you’re doing it by yourself. If you don’t have any clips on hand, you can use a rubber band to hold the hair back.
It’s important not to forget about trimming your ends when traveling, as this will prevent any breakage or split ends from happening. Those are two things that you want to avoid!
Also, after a few days, you’ll be surprised at how much healthier it will look just because you took the time to trim it.
On the other hand, if you have damaged hair from split ends, you can opt for a haircut to resolve the damaged hair. Opt for any of The 10 Best Haircuts For Thin Curly Hair To Try In 2021 and youโll be right on trend, too!
Don’t Wash Your Hair Too Often
Many people who are traveling or away from home for a few days will feel the need to wash their hair every day. While it may seem like your scalp and hair are getting dirty, they’re more likely just accumulating oils naturally secreted throughout the week if you were at home.ย
When washing your hair while traveling, it’s essential to use a mild moisturizing shampoo that is free of sulfates and parabens. This type of shampoo not only thoroughly cleanses buildup but also gives your hair weightless body without stripping moisture.
By opting for a sulfate-free and paraben-free shampoo, you ensure that your hair retains its natural oils, promoting healthier and more manageable hair.”
Travelling can also cause an increase in static electricity, which will make it challenging to keep your hair looking sleek and smooth. Even so, avoid the temptation to wash more frequently or comb through tangles with a brush.
To combat the issue of static electricity, use a dry shampoo in between washes. That will soak up oils and keep your hair looking fresh. If you can’t find any available for purchase, talc-free baby powder is another option that will work just as well.
Try Using Detangling Products
Detangling products will help save a lot of time and effort in brushing out knots from long, thick, or curly hair while you travel. They are great for any type of hair, but they’re critical if your locks are extra thick or curlyโwhich is why it’s a good idea to pack them for your trip!
Detanglers are a fantastic hair care hack for long-term travelers, but you can also use them at home.
Some people find it easier to use detangler before shampooing, while others prefer the opposite order. Still others alternate between the two methods. You can try any order to find out which way works best for you, depending on the thickness and type of your hair.
Condition, Condition, Condition Your Hair
Not conditioning your hair is one of the many mistakes to avoid while traveling.
This is a great time to invest in some deep conditioning treatments and keep your hair from drying out or getting brittle. Hair conditioners help keep the hair from getting too dry; breakage occurs when your scalp gets dehydrated.
It can be tricky to deep condition while traveling, especially if you don’t have access to a shower for hair washing. But if you can manage it, you will keep your hair healthy while traveling!
If you don’t have access to a shower or regular washing routine, try doing an oil treatment on your ends and then wrap it in a towel while you sleep. This will help to seal in the moisture and make it easier for your hair to resist damage.
Don’t Let Hair Products Build Up
If you’re traveling for an extended time, it’s essential to be mindful not only about the damage that can occur on your skin but also how much product build-up is accumulating in your hair.
You don’t want to arrive at your destination with brittle hair and a dry scalp!
You can ask for advice from your stylist before leaving for vacation. A good rule of thumb is to wash your hair every 3-4 days or even weekly and use proper moisturizing products.
If you’re worried about product build-up, then it’s time to invest in a hair mask. They often come as one of the last steps after shampoo before conditioner when you wash your hair at home. Try to give yourself an extra minute or two during travel just for this step if possible! If not, then the conditioner will also do the trick.
If you can’t find a hair mask that suits your needs, try using oil to keep your scalp clean and moisturized without all of the build-up. Use coconut oil because it’s so versatile! (You can use it on the skin, in food, and on your hair.)
Lock in Moisture With Scalp-Healing Oils
Another way to protect your hair while traveling is to use oils on the scalp; this will help lock in moisture and keep your skin from drying out, which could lead to breakage. Coconut oil or olive oil are both great for locking in moisture and healing dry scalps.
You can also apply these oils after washing your hair as part of your hair care routine. Many people find that doing so helps their locks stay healthy longer between washes. That makes it easier to maintain during travel when you don’t have time to wash your hair daily.
Every time you arrive at your destination, take a minute for some hair care. This means getting out of the wind and cold if possible, taking off any hats or headbands that may have been causing friction on your hair, and applying scalp-healing oils like coconut or olive oil.
Be sure to pack products for your hair type, and keep this list of tips with you so that you know what to do when it’s time.
Final Thoughts
Haircare is often challenging to maintain when traveling, and the usual methods for hair upkeep are not always available. With these tips in mind, you can keep your locks looking healthy while you travel. (And that means, all the better for your travel selfies!)
Looking for more travel beauty tips? Click here to learn how to keep your skin beautifully hydrated in dry climates.
Photo credits: Woman in red – Gantas Vaiฤiulฤnas, Wind in hair – Avonne Stalling (Pexels); all others courtesy of Canva Pro