Spring Hair Care: How the Changing Weather Affects Your Hair

Spring is a time of new beginnings. Longer days and warmer weather means flowers and more time spent outdoors, but the changing environmental factors also spell changes for your hair. Do rising temperatures and humidity plus the combination of sun and rain leave your hair looking limp, frizzy, thin, or overall just not its best? We’ve got you. In this article, we’ll provide you with our favorite spring hair care tips on how to combat these hair challenges and highlight how Toppik products can help you maintain confidence throughout the season. 

The Effects of Spring Weather on Your Hair

What does spring do to your hair? Changing weather conditions in spring may cause frizziness, shedding, dryness, and scalp issues. In this section, we’ll explain these common seasonal hair changes and how you can tweak your spring hair care routine to eliminate them. 

Increased Humidity Can Cause Frizz

Why Does Humidity Cause Frizz?

Many people, especially those with fine or curly hair, experience frizzy hair in spring. Why? Because as the weather warms up, humidity levels rise. Hair absorbs this extra moisture, swelling and disrupting the cuticle layer that usually keeps strands smooth. Each strand develops a tighter, temporary curl pattern than usual, which causes the flyaways you see on a warm and humid day. 

 

How to Prevent Frizz in Spring

Solution: Use anti-frizz serums and leave-in conditioners, which coat the hair to lock out humidity. But be aware that many of these products coat the hair with silicone, which can build up on the hair and make it look limp or flat. To combat this, use a clarifying shampoo when you notice buildup. 

To learn more, check out our guide to fighting static and frizz.

Seasonal Shedding

Is it normal to lose more hair in spring? Maybe. A 2009 study found that season shedding is most common in summer and spring. However, more research is needed and there is no known explanation for hair shedding in spring and summer. Some experts hypothesize that longer days trigger more hair follicles to go into the resting phase (after which they shed). However, some types of hair loss like alopecia areata are actually triggered by cold weather. 

Solution: If you are experiencing hair shedding in spring, focus on maintaining a diet rich in hair-healthy vitamins and minerals like biotin and iron. Try using Toppik Hair Building Fibers as a quick, effective way to conceal thinning areas or scalp show-through caused by shedding. Hair Building Fibers are made from keratin, the same protein as hair. They have a natural electromagnetic charge that allows them to cling to your existing hair, making it appear thicker and fuller instantly. And they last until your next hair wash. Toppik Hair Building Fibers come in nine shades and work for all hair types. 

To learn more about seasonal hair shedding, check out our article “Seasonal Shedding: Understanding and Managing Hair Loss in Autumn”.

Sun Exposure Can Dry Out Hair

With longer days and more time spent outdoors, your hair faces increased exposure to harmful UV rays. Just like your skin, your hair needs protection from sun damage. UV rays can leave hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. If you have color-treated hair, UV exposure can also cause fading, making your expensive salon color look dull and brassy before its time. 

Solution: The best UV protection for hair starts with physical barriers. Wearing a hat or scarf while spending extended time outdoors provides the most effective defense against sun damage. For times when a hat isn’t practical, try using a hair sunscreen or leave-in condition with UV filters. 

Common Spring Scalp Issues and Solutions

As the weather gets warmer, you may notice that your scalp is producing more oil. The result? Hair may look greasy and limp, especially if you have thin or fine hair. Excess oil may even lead to dandruff. 

Solution: You may need to simply wash your hair more often. Try adding one more wash day to your spring hair care routine. If you’ve been using heavy moisturizing products throughout the winter, try switching to lightweight hair products instead. When showering, try applying conditioner to your hair at ear level and below, avoiding the roots which are more prone to greasiness. 

How to Protect and Style Your Hair This Spring

On the bright side, if you struggle with dry hair in the winter, spring’s humidity means more hydration and softer hair. That extra hydration can also soothe scalps left flaky and dry by winter’s cold. Here are some other tips for styling your hair in the spring:

Embrace Your Natural Texture

As we mentioned above, higher humidity levels can give your hair a bit more curl than in the winter months. If you have wavy hair and struggle to maintain smooth, sleek styles in the spring, why not embrace your curly side?

Swap out your shampoo and conditioner for lightweight alternatives. Apply a curl cream or mousse to damp locks (hint: look for “light hold” formulas) then scrunch hair and allow it to air dry. A diffuser will add more volume to your hair and speed up drying time. If you want to make your hair look fuller, try Toppik Hair Building Fibers. Toppik Hair Building Fibers are lightweight and blend seamlessly into natural hair. Once hair is completely dry, use the sifter cap to apply Fibers, then gently pat hair to disperse the fibers. 

Get Ready for Rain

Spring showers might bring May flowers, but they can also wreak havoc on your hairstyle! Protect your hair from tangles and frizz with smart preparation. 

The key to managing spring weather is preparation. On days when rain is in the forecast, opt for protective hairstyles like braids or a sleek bun – these styles not only look polished but also help prevent tangles and frizz. Keep an umbrella in your bag and in your car. Pack a wide-tooth comb to manage tangles on-the-go. If applying Toppik Hair Building Fibers, finish your look with Toppik FiberHold Spray, which strengthens the bond between Toppik Hair Fibers and your existing hair and helps Hair Fibers resist wind, rain, and perspiration.

How to Get Your Hair and Beauty Stash Ready for Spring

 

Spring Clean Your Products

Now is the time to purge your beauty stash and get rid of old, expired hair care products. How to tell if it’s time to toss your products:

• The product smells bad

• The product’s color or texture has changed

• The product is expired according to the item’s use by date

• There is hardly any product left in the container

Many hair care product containers are recyclable, so give them a good scrub in the sink and put them in the appropriate recycling bin!

Clean Your Styling Tools

When was the last time you cleaned your hairstyling tools? If you can’t remember, now is a great time to remove buildup and start fresh. Here’s how to clean common hair tools:

Brushes – Pull out any hair, then use the end of a rattail comb to remove any dust, hair, or grime from the bristles. Wet the hair brush and use your fingers to massage a small amount of clarifying shampoo to the bristles. Rinse, then let brushes dry on a fluffy towel.

Hot Tools – Use rubbing alcohol to wipe away product build up from the surfaces of your flat irons and curling irons. Just make sure to do this with the tools unplugged.

Hair Dryer – Unplug the hair dryer and use an old toothbrush or cotton swab to gently remove dust and debris from the filter. Keeping the filter clean will help improve the efficiency of your hair dryer and speed up dry time. 

Hair Clips – Use rubbing alcohol to remove product buildup and sebum from your hair claws and clips. 

Finally, wipe down your hair product storage area and put everything back into place.

Get a Trim

While you’re at it, add a trim to your spring cleaning list! Removing all the dead ends from winter’s frigid air will help hair to look healthier and fuller. Plus, trims can prevent breakage from split ends moving up the hair shaft. 

Stock Up on Spring Hair Care Ingredients

As the seasons change, so should your hair care routine. Understanding which ingredients work best for spring weather conditions can help you choose the right products for your hair type and combat common seasonal challenges. Here’s what to look for when shopping for hair care products in spring. 

As the temperatures rise, your hair needs different care than during the harsh winter months. Heavy products that protected your strands from cold weather may now leave hair looking flat and greasy. Switch to lightweight moisturizing ingredients that provide hydration without wearing hair down, such as:

• Hyaluronic Acid – This powerful humectant can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water, providing moisture without heaviness. 

• Glycerin – A lightweight, plant-based ingredient that helps hair retain moisture. 

• Aloe Vera – This natural ingredient soothes the scalp and provides natural moisture. 

• Panthenol – Also known as pro-vitamin B5, this vitamin strengthens hair while adding moisture. 

• Amino Acids – The building blocks of hair, these compounds help repair damage while maintaining hair’s natural moisture balance. 

• Light Oils – Lightweight oils like grapeseed or jojoba oil closely mimic hair’s natural oils.

Spring Hair Care Don’ts:

Avoid these common mistakes during the seasonal transition:

1. Skipping Heat Protectant – Just because it’s warmer outside doesn’t mean your hair no longer needs protection from styling tools!

2. Over-Washing – Even if your scalp feels oilier, resist the urge to wash daily. Overwashing can strip hair of natural oils and lead to increased oil production. Try adding just one additional hair wash per week to your routine, and use dry shampoo in between washes. 

3. Neglecting Nighttime Protection – If you struggle with frizzy hair in spring, opt for a silk or satin pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases can rough up the hair cuticle, leaving it more vulnerable to frizz. 

4. Aggressive Detangling – Wet hair is more fragile, so be extra careful when detangling. Always use a wide-tooth comb and start from the ends when detangling your hair, gently working your way towards the roots. 

5. Using Winter Products – Continuing to use heavy winter products can lead to buildup and flat, lifeless hair. Reassess your product lineup when the seasons change. 

Spring Hair Care: Frequently Asked Questions

What does spring do to your hair?

Spring weather conditions can impact your hair in multiple ways:

Frizz: Higher humidity disrupts the cuticle layer, causing flyaways and unruly strands.

Shedding: Seasonal changes may trigger more hair follicles to enter the resting phase, leading to temporary shedding.

Dryness: UV rays can strip moisture from your hair, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage.

Oiliness: Warmer temperatures stimulate scalp oil production, making hair appear greasy.

How do you treat spring hair?

Treat spring hair by:

• Using lightweight moisturizing products. 

• Applying UV protection or wearing a hat when outdoors. 

• Adding a clarifying shampoo to remove buildup. 

• Using anti-frizz products for humidity control. 

• Protecting hair from rain and wind with appropriate styling. 

• Getting regular trims to maintain hair health. 

What’s the best sun protection for hair?

The best sun protection for hair is wearing a hat or scarf to provide physical protection from UV rays. Additionally, using hair care products with UV filters, such as leave-in conditioners or specific hair sunscreens, can help protect against sun damage. 

Conclusion

While changing weather conditions can present challenges for your hair, understanding these seasonal shifts allows you to adapt your spring hair care routine effectively. With the right combination of protective products, styling techniques, and maintenance habits, you can maintain healthy, beautiful hair throughout the season. 

Remember these essential spring hair care tips:

• Adjust your product lineup for warmer, more humid weather

• Protect your hair from UV damage

• Keep styling tools clean

• Schedule a trim to remove winter damage

• Embrace your natural texture while managing frizz

• Be prepared for unpredictable weather

Ready to tackle spring with confidence? Explore Toppik’s range of innovative solutions, from our signature Hair Building Fibers to our weather-resistant FiberHold Spray. Visit Toppik.com today to discover how our products can help you achieve fuller-looking hair. Your best hair days are ahead!