You step off the airplane feeling ready for your adventure, but a quick glance in a reflective surface reveals a different story for your hair. Your beautiful waves have transformed into a frizzy, dry, and strangely shaped mess. What happened? The cabin of an airplane is an incredibly dry environment, essentially sucking all the moisture out of your hair strands. This lack of humidity causes the hair cuticle to lift, leading to that all-too-familiar frizz and flattening your wave pattern.
The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can rescue your waves and have them looking their best in no time. It’s all about replenishing that lost moisture and giving your hair some gentle, loving care.
Your Post-Flight Hair Rescue Routine
As soon as you can after landing, your first mission is to rehydrate your hair. If you’re heading straight to a meeting or event, a travel-sized leave-in conditioner or a hydrating mist is your best friend. Lightly spritz your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. For a quick fix, you can even dampen your hands with water and gently smooth them over your hair to reactivate any stylers you used before your flight.
Resetting Your Waves with a Proper Wash
When you get back to your hotel or home, a proper reset is the way to go. Start by thoroughly cleansing your hair with a gentle, moisturizing shampoo to remove any buildup. Follow with a rich conditioner, allowing it to sit for a few minutes to deeply hydrate your parched strands. After rinsing, apply your favorite curl cream or mousse to wet hair to redefine your wave pattern and lock in moisture.
Protecting Your Hair Before You Fly
A little preparation can make a world of difference for your next trip. Before you board, consider applying a light leave-in conditioner or a protective hair oil to create a barrier against the dry air. A loose, comfortable braid or a pineapple bun is also a great way to prevent your waves from getting tangled and crushed while you nap. Keeping a small bottle of water with you to sip on helps with hydration from the inside out, benefiting your hair and skin.
Caring for wavy hair after a flight doesn’t have to be a struggle. By focusing on quick rehydration and a thorough reset, you can easily banish post-flight frizz and bring your beautiful waves back to life.