Dry Hair & Mountain Air: Hair Care Tips for Denver Locals

Hair feeling dry in Denver? Your hair care routine, texture, and environmental conditions all play a role in the condition of your hair. Here are some tips from S.T.R.A.N.D. Certified™ Cosmetologist Yene Damtew to help combat the arid mountain climate of the mile high city.

How Denver’s Climate Affects Hair

Denver’s high altitude, low humidity, intense UV exposure, mineral-heavy water, and common use of indoor heating systems can contribute to the hair’s cuticles lifting more easily, an increase in static, faster color fade, and scalp tightness or flaking. Over time this can cause hair to feel dry, brittle, and lead to breakage.

Knowing how these factors affect your hair and how to remedy them are key to thoughtful hair care choices.

Low Humidity

The atmosphere’s humidity level directly affects your hair’s hydration levels, with dryer climates causing water to evaporate faster from the hair shaft. A lack of water, or hydration, in the hair can result in dryness, brittleness, and breakage. 

• Leave-In Conditioner is a must to seal in hydration and prevent water evaporation after washing hair. Sealing products like jojoba oil will also help.

• Hydrate from the inside, out, to help support healthy growth and prevent breakage. Drink water, use leave-in conditioners on wet hair, and incorporate electrolytes in your routine.

• Moisturizing shampoos will help retain moisture between washes when hair is feeling parched.

• Get a humidifier for your room to alleviate the drying effects of low humidity while you sleep. Bonus, great for dry skin too!

UV Exposure

Similar to your skin, high exposure to UV rays can cause damage to the hair’s natural protein structure. Denver’s high altitude means less protection from UV rays throughout the year. Over time, UV exposure can fade color and weaken hair. Incorporate protein products into your routine to replenish natural proteins damaged by UV damage. This will help maintain the hair’s health, aid in moisture retention and prevent breakage from damage.

The Benefits of Protein & Moisture

A common reaction to dry climates is to add more moisturizing products, but protein also contributes to the hair’s overall health by adding missing proteins within the hair’s natural structure. Talk with your stylist  on how to properly find a balance of protein and moisturizing products to aid in longevity of styles and hydration retention.

• Protein products add structure to the hair and help against damage. Too much protein can make hair feel stiff and brittle. Be sure to balance with moisturizing products.

• Moisturizing products seal in hydration but can be heavy if overused. Over moisturized hair feels mushy, falls limp easily, and has difficulty maintaining its shape. If this occurs, balance with protein or use a lighter moisturizer on your next wash.

Combat Hard Water for Softer Hair

Mineral rich water can leave trace deposits in the hair that build up over time, leaving hair feeling brittle, dry, and dull. Here are some of the ways you can remove mineral build up to refresh your hair and make your follow up products more effective.

• Incorporate an apple cider vinegar rinse once a month to remove mineral build up that can contribute to dryness and seal the cuticle to lock in hydration. Always use a diluted solution.

• Use a chelating shampoo specifically designed to draw out tough to remove minerals from the hair.

• Install a shower head filter that incorporates a vitamin c or carbon filtration system to remove heavy minerals from your shower water.