Spring: What haircare routine should you have?

The wind, freezing temperatures, and the wearing of hats and scarves have put hair through a tough test during the winter. These various elements have damaged the cuticle, the protective layer of the hair, weakening it and making it more vulnerable to the appearance of split ends. To take care of your hair in the spring, it is first necessary to repair it with the help of nourishing treatments. The application of this type of treatment will help to rebuild the hair's protective envelope and to reattach the scales of the cuticle that will have "peeled off".

• Performing oil baths.

  You can perform vegetable oil baths, one to two times per week. Avocado, argan, and sweet almond oils are among the most favoured for this use, where they act on two levels.

  Enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids, they repair the cuticle and strengthen the cohesion of the scales thanks to their re-lipidising action. Linoleic acid (omega-6) can be mentioned, which is involved in the synthesis process of ceramides, resulting from an amidation reaction between a sphingoid base and a fatty acid. Ceramides carrying linoleic acid are referred to as acylceramides. These molecules are naturally present in the hair fibre, particularly in the cuticle where they help to seal the keratin scales to each other by playing the role of intercellular cement.

  Vegetable oils also contain monounsaturated fatty acids, which are naturally found in sebum, one of the components of the hydrolipidic film. This film forms a veil around the hair fibres and prevents their dehydration. It also helps to protect them from daily aggressions (repeated brushing, hairdryer, colouring/bleaching, UV, perm, straightening...).

  To perform an oil bath, take a few drops of nourishing oil and apply them to your hair, from mid-lengths to ends. Be careful not to apply too much as this could weigh down your hair. Then leave it on for about fifteen minutes before doing your shampoo.

• Creating a nourishing and restorative mask.

  To deeply nourish and repair the hair fibre, you can also apply a mask to your ends, as a substitute for an oil bath. This action should be performed once or twice a week on washed hair, before rinsing thoroughly. These treatments usually contain vegetable oils and butters, which help to fill in the hair scales, and provide them with shine and flexibility.

  At Typology, we have formulated a restorative hair maskto address the issue of dry and brittle hair. Enriched with biomimetic ceramides (INCI name: Behenyl/Stearyl Aminopropanediol Esters) and mango butter (INCI name: Mangifera Indica Seed Butter), it softens the hair and prevents the formation of split ends.

The transition from winter to spring is often accompanied by a more or less significant hair loss. This can be primarily explained in two ways:

• The lengthening of daily sunlight characteristic of spring results in a decrease in the production of melatonin within the body. Also known as the "sleep hormone", melatonin has a chronobiotic role and is only released in darkness, by the pineal gland of the epithalamus. It is also involved in the hair cycle and stimulates hair growth. Lastly, it acts as an antioxidant and combats free radicals that weaken the hair. In spring, hair thus becomes weaker, more brittle and grows more slowly.

• The change of season also brings with it a change in climate and temperature. This transition can sometimes be challenging for the body, which requires a certain period of adjustment. The body is then temporarily weakened, which also impacts hair health.

There are several measures that can be taken to limit this springtime hair loss. Firstly, it involves a diet that is balanced, rich in zinc (beef, oysters...) and in vitamin B (fatty fish, whole grains...). Indeed, zinc is a trace element that plays a crucial role in the synthesis of keratin and collagen. It protects the hair bulb and strengthens the fibre, which prevents future hair loss. Vitamin B, on the other hand, promotes the renewal of hair follicles due to its stimulating effect on blood circulation. You can also consider taking dietary supplements.

We also advise you to rinse your hair with warm or cold water to avoid weakening it. While this action does not directly combat hair loss, it contributes to its prevention. Similarly, when using a hairdryer, avoid using excessively hot air. Lastly, refrain from rubbing your hair during drying and opt for absorbent towels instead.

Following the various aggressions they have endured during the winter, hair typically exhibits split ends in the spring. These are, among other things, caused by the various frictions to which the hair has been subjected, such as scarves and wind. From a microscopic perspective, split ends occur when the scales of the cuticle, normally tightly interlocked, "detach". Exposed, the hair fibre is weakened and splits into several fragments.

To rejuvenate and revitalise your hair, it is recommended to trim all damaged parts. Indeed, once formed, a split end is impossible to eliminate. A quick snip will also provide a good foundation to face the new season and the return of warmer weather.