11 Proven Tips to Care for Your Hair in a Monsoon

Co-authored by Jamie Bushman and Amber Crain

Last Updated: September 24, 2021 References

If monsoons are a part of your local climate, you're familiar with the havoc all that dirty water, wind, and humidity can wreak on your hair. You can't do much to change the weather, but there are lots of ways to protect your hair and prevent frizz during monsoon season! The easiest and most effective defense against monsoon damage is keeping your hair clean and hydrated.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:
Damage Protection

1
Shampoo your hair at 2-3 times a week to keep it healthy. Because of air pollution and other factors, rainwater is pretty dirty and can damage your hair cuticle. During monsoon season, wash your hair 2-3 times a week to get rid of any pollution or grime buildup.^{[1]
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- If you're outside a lot, you may want to wash your hair every day.^{[2]
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2
Wash your hair as soon as possible after being out in monsoon weather. Dirty rainwater can be hard on your hair, make it look greasy, and may even cause infections if you let it sit on your scalp too long. Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo as soon as you can after getting your hair wet in a monsoon.^{[3]
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- Look for a hydrating shampoo designed to fight frizz for the best results. Avoid harsh, drying ingredients like sulfates and alcohol.^{[4]
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3
Blow dry or blot your hair with a microfiber towel right away. If you aren’t able to wash your hair immediately, blow drying it right away is the next best thing! Drying it prevents the dirty rainwater from setting into the open shaft and also helps to prevents frizz. If you can't blow dry your hair immediately, gently dab or squeeze it with a microfiber towel to get rid of excess water.^{[5]
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- Apply heat protectant before blow drying your hair for extra damage control.^{[6]
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- Don't rub too vigorously with the towel since this causes tangling and breakage.
4
Wait until your hair is dry before detangling with a wide-toothed comb. Hair is at its most vulnerable when it’s wet. If you just walked indoors after being caught in the rain and your hair is absolutely soaked, resist the urge to comb through it! Blow dry it first or let it air-dry naturally before running a wide-toothed comb through it.^{[7]
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- Use a spray-on detangling product before combing it out if you have a lot of tangles to work through.
5
Avoid chemical treatments during monsoon season to keep hair strong. Chemical treatments like straightening, coloring, and perming can be harsh on your hair even at the best of times. Your hair is already being exposed to a lot during monsoon season, so skip the harsh chemical treatments to avoid additional stress.^{[8]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:
Frizz Prevention

1
Use a deeply hydrating conditioner to fight frizz. Moisture is your friend when it comes to preventing frizzy hair! One of the easiest ways to keep your hair hydrated is to use a high-quality, deeply moisturizing conditioner every time you wash it.^{[9]
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- Look for hydrating ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil.
- If your hair gets extremely frizzy, try a leave-in conditioner.^{[10]
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- Use a frizz-fighting shampoo, as well.^{[11]
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  Jamie Bushman
  Master Hair Stylist
  Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.}
- For extra moisture, use a deep conditioning treatment to your hair once a week.
2
Apply a nourishing hair oil before or after washing your hair. Oil hydrates your hair and prevents flyaways when you're out in the elements. For normal, dry, or brittle hair, apply a few drops of oil after washing your hair to add moisture and make detangling easier.^{[12]
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Jamie Bushman
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Expert Interview. 15 September 2021.}^{[13]
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Research source} If your hair tends to get oily fast, massage a few drops of oil into the lengths of your hair as a pre-shampoo treatment.^{[14]
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- For deep hydration, apply the oil and let it soak into your hair for an hour before shampooing.^{[15]
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- If you have very dry hair, try using oil every day. Otherwise, go with 2-3 times a week.^{[16]
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3
Touch your hair as little as possible during humid weather. Being out in the rain makes your hair porous and vulnerable. Your hands transfer sweat and heat to your hair, which causes the hair shaft to swell up and frizz out even more. To prevent this, keep your hands off your hair as much as you can.^{[17]
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- Set your style with frizz-control or humidity proofing hairspray so you don't need to touch it as much later on.
4
Bring a small bottle of smoothing serum with you when you're on the go. Buy a travel-sized bottle of smoothing serum and tuck it into your bag or purse before you head out. After you come in from the rain, pour a few drops of serum into your palms and rub them together. Quickly work the serum into your hair, starting at the ends and moving up the shaft.^{[18]
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- Avoid applying serum to the roots, especially if your hair is on the oily side.
5
Pull your hair into a loose up-do before heading outside. It’s best to stay out of the rain and wind completely during monsoon season, but that’s not always an option! If you absolutely have to go out in the pouring rain, pull long or shoulder-length hair up into a loose ponytail or topknot first.^{[19]
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Research source} For shorter hair styles, try pulling the top layer up into a half ponytail instead.^{[20]
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- Bring a hat or scarf with you when you’re on the go to cover your hair.
- When you get back inside, let your hair down and fluff it out with your fingers.

Community Q&A

Question

What is the best shampoo to get rid of frizzy hair?

Jamie Bushman
Master Hair Stylist
Jamie Bushman is a Master Hair Stylist and the Owner of The Circle Salon, an eco-friendly salon in Chicago, Illinois. With over 22 years of experience, she specializes in cutting hair, styling hair, coloring hair, hair care, waxing, and makeup. Jamie has been featured in multiple publications such as Allure and Elle, and her salon has been recognized as one of Salon Today’s Top 200 Salons. Jamie received her cosmetology training at The Aveda Institute Minneapolis.

Jamie Bushman

Master Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Frizz-reducing shampoo is great! After just 1 use, your hair will feel a lot smoother. You can even pair it with frizz-reducing conditioner.
Question

Should I oil my hair in monsoon?

Jamie Bushman
Master Hair Stylist
Jamie Bushman is a Master Hair Stylist and the Owner of The Circle Salon, an eco-friendly salon in Chicago, Illinois. With over 22 years of experience, she specializes in cutting hair, styling hair, coloring hair, hair care, waxing, and makeup. Jamie has been featured in multiple publications such as Allure and Elle, and her salon has been recognized as one of Salon Today’s Top 200 Salons. Jamie received her cosmetology training at The Aveda Institute Minneapolis.

Jamie Bushman

Master Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

Oil is a great way to finish off your styling regimen! Oil can help seal down the outside of your hair while adding a bit of shine. Best of all, it locks in all of your hair's moisture and styling products, creating an effective barrier against the humid environment.