8 essential tips for maintaining healthy hair during harmattan season

• The harmattan season is here, and it comes with its fair share of challenges, such as hair breakage, skin dryness, and dehydration
• The dry and cold winds during harmattan can strip your hair of moisture, leading to dryness, frizz, and breakage
• To avoid hair dryness and breakage during this period, TheRadar has gathered some tips to help you maintain healthy hair throughout the season 

The harmattan season in Nigeria is a unique and challenging period marked by a drastic change in weather patterns. 

Typically occurring from late November to early March, harmattan is characterised by dry, cold, and dusty winds originating from the Sahara Desert. 

During this time, temperatures drop significantly, and the air becomes extremely dry, with low humidity levels. The dry winds can sap moisture from hair strands, increasing dryness, brittleness, and breakage. 

A proper hair care routine is crucial to maintain healthy and moisturised hair during this time. 

Here are some essential tips and strategies for keeping your hair in shape throughout the harmattan season.

Understanding the effects of harmattan on hair

Before diving into the hair care tips, it’s essential to understand how the harmattan season impacts hair:

1. Dryness: Low humidity and dry winds strip moisture from hair, leading to dryness and frizz. This is especially problematic for people with naturally curly or oily hair, as these hair types are already prone to dryness.

2. Breakage: Dryness can cause hair to have a brittle texture, making it more susceptible to split ends and breakage.

3. Scalp issues: The cold, dry air can also affect the scalp, leading to itchiness, dandruff, and flakiness.

4. Dirt and dust: The dusty air can clog pores and settle on the hair, making it dirty more quickly and causing scalp irritation.

8 essential hair care tips for harmattan season

1. Deep moisturisation: Deep moisturisation should be the most essential part of your hair care routine during harmattan. The goal is to lock in as much moisture as possible. Include a weekly deep conditioning treatment and use leave-in conditioners to help seal in moisture and provide a protective barrier against dry air.

2. Seal moisture with oils and butter: After moisturising, it's crucial to seal in that moisture using natural oils and butter. This is especially important for those with natural hair, as it tends to lose moisture faster. These oils are great for protecting the hair from environmental damage. While butter is excellent for creating a barrier against the dry wind, it also adds shine and softness to the hair.

3. Protective hairstyles for the season: Protective styles help shield the hair from harsh weather conditions while minimising manipulation, which can lead to breakage. Styles like box braids, twists, cornrows, and buns are great protective styles. Ensure these styles are not too tight, which can lead to hair loss, especially around the edges.

4. Cover your hair: Wearing headwraps, scarves, or hats made from satin or silk can help protect your hair from the dry, dusty air. Avoid cotton headwraps, as they can absorb moisture from your hair.

5. Avoid frequent washing: While keeping your hair clean is essential, excessive washing can strip the natural oils that help moisturise your hair. Aim to wash your hair once a week or once every two weeks during the harmattan season.

6. Proper hydration: The harmattan season can also cause dehydration, which can affect hair health. Aim to drink at least two to three litres of water per day to help keep your hair and scalp hydrated.

7. Scalp care: The dry air during harmattan can lead to scalp issues like dandruff and itchiness. Regular scalp massages with natural oils like tea tree, peppermint, or eucalyptus can help soothe irritation and improve blood circulation.

8. Use humidifiers at home: If possible, use a humidifier indoors to add moisture to the air. This is especially helpful at night, as it prevents the dry air from stripping moisture from your hair while you sleep.

The harmattan season can be harsh on your hair with its dry, cold, and dusty weather. However, with the proper hair care routine focused on moisturising, protecting, and nourishing, you can keep your hair healthy and beautiful throughout the season. 

Remember, hydration is key, both externally and internally. By incorporating these tips and using natural, nourishing products, you can prevent dryness, breakage, and scalp issues, ensuring your hair remains strong and resilient.

Skincare during harmattan: a complete guide for glowing, healthy skin

In an earlier report, TheRadar curated a tailored routine to help you maintain a glowing complexion throughout the harmattan season. 

Cold, dry winds and a drop in humidity characterise the harmattan season.  The dry and dusty conditions can strip your skin of moisture, leading to dryness, flakiness, and irritation. Adopting a tailored skincare routine during harmattan is essential to maintain healthy, glowing skin.