Travelling is exciting, but let's be honest, our hair doesn't always enjoy the journey as much as we do. Changes in climate, water quality, sun exposure, long flights and stress can all leave your hair dry, frizzy, and prone to breakage.
However, with a few simple routines and the right products, you can maintain healthy, shiny, manageable hair wherever you go.
Why travel affects your hair
It’s normal for your hair to react when it’s suddenly exposed to a new environment, so knowing what causes these changes can help you minimise any potential damage.
Changes in climate and humidity
Different types of weather can affect your hair more than you might expect.
When the air is humid:
Curly or wavy hair types can become frizzy and harder to control.
Your hair may feel puffier or lose its shape more easily.
When the air is cold or dry:
Moisture is pulled out of your hair.
This can make strands feel rough, brittle, and more likely to break.
Even small shifts in humidity can affect your hair’s natural oil balance, leaving it frizzy, tangled, and harder to work with. By preparing with proper hydration and protective styling, you can keep hair smooth and resilient, no matter the weather.
Different water types and quality
Water varies significantly across regions. Hard water, which contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium, can leave your hair feeling rough, dry, or weighed down. These minerals can also react with shampoo, creating residues on your scalp that reduce your hair's softness and shine.
Even hotel shampoos may not match your usual hair routine, so bringing your own shampoo and conditioner can help maintain consistency and protect your hair.
Stress and irregular routines
Travel can affect your routine, your sleep changes, you eat at odd hours, and stress levels may rise. These shifts can sometimes lead to temporary hair shedding or hair loss, a condition called telogen effluvium. This condition happens when more of your hairs move into the “resting” phase and fall out naturally.
It can feel scary to notice extra shedding, but it’s usually short-term and improves on its own within a few months.
Haircare routine during travel
Travel can disrupt your usual hair routine, making it easier for hair to become dry or damaged. Being mindful of washing frequency and techniques helps protect your hair while keeping it healthy and shiny.
Washing frequency and techniques
Travel often disrupts your usual haircare routine. Overwashing can strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to breakage. Most people find washing 2-3 times per week is enough, though this can vary depending on hair type, activity level, and climate.
Tips for gentle cleansing include:
Use lukewarm water to avoid drying the hair
Massage your scalp with gentle circular motions instead of scrubbing harshly
Avoid piling hair on top of your head while washing to prevent tension on the strands
Conditioning tips for on-the-go
Always follow shampooing with conditioner, focusing on mid-lengths and ends. For extra hydration, apply a leave-in conditioner or lightweight serum, which can help smooth frizz, lock in moisture, and protect against environmental stressors like sun, wind, or dry air.
Minimising heat and styling damage
Flights, hotel dryers, and long days under the sun can all contribute to dryness and breakage. To keep your hair strong:
Try protective hairstyles such as braids, buns, or twists. They reduce friction and tangling while keeping hair looking polished.
Allow hair to air-dry whenever possible instead of relying on blow dryers.
If styling tools are necessary, always use a heat protectant to shield your hair from damage.
Small changes like these can help prevent stress on your hair, keeping it soft and manageable even after long travel days.
Sun and wind protection
Hats, scarves, or UV-protective sprays shield hair from harmful rays and reduce frizz caused by wind. Even loosely tying hair can reduce tangling and breakage.
With these habits, your hair stays strong, hydrated, and manageable, so you can focus on enjoying your trip rather than worrying about its condition.
For tips on protecting your hair from sun and wind, schedule a consultation with Thomson Medical. Our dermatologist can offer advice on haircare products and routines to help you maintain healthy hair while travelling.
Our hair specialist in Singapore
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What to prepare before travel
Preparing your hair before your trip can prevent damage and ensure it stays healthy while you’re away. Think of this as giving your hair a little extra support before it encounters new conditions.
Deep conditioning or hair masks
Using deep conditioning or a hydrating hair mask treatment a week or two before travel is a gentle way to protect your hair. Doing this about one to two weeks before your trip helps your strands soak up moisture, feel stronger, and stay smoother when you face new climates.
You should consider this treatment if you have:
Dry or dehydrated hair
Curly or wavy hair that frizzes easily
Colour-treated or chemically processed hair
By including this simple step in your travel haircare routine, you’re giving your hair the comfort, hydration, and protection it needs to stay healthy.
Protective hairstyles
Using protective hairstyles can make travelling much easier on your hair. These styles help minimise tangling, reduce friction in clothing or aeroplane seats, and limit exposure to wind, sun, and humidity.
A few simple options:
Loose braids
Low buns
Twists or rope braids
These hairstyles are especially helpful on long flights or busy outdoor days, keeping your hair neat and polished without the need for constant restyling.
Trim split ends
A small trim before travelling can make a big difference. Split ends tend to become more obvious when you’re in dry air, changing climates, or constantly on the move.
Trimming them keeps your hair looking healthy, easier to manage, and more resilient against breakage during your trip.
Scalp preparation
A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair growth. Consider performing a scalp treatment by gently exfoliating your scalp before travel to remove dead skin cells or product build-up, then nourish with a hair serum.
These steps can help:
Improve circulation
Reduce dryness or itchiness after travel
Support healthier hair growth and follicles
By taking these steps, you can be sure that your hair is well-hydrated and strong and ready to handle new climates and conditions, while also avoiding potential scalp issues.
For personalised advice on haircare and treatments, schedule a consultation with Thomson Medical. Our specialists understand your hair concerns and can recommend the most suitable products and routines for keeping your hair healthy and protected.
Packing travel-friendly haircare products
Bringing the right haircare products can make all the difference in maintaining your haircare routine while away from home. Travel-sized items and multipurpose products can help you stay consistent without overpacking.
Travel-sized shampoo and conditioner
Packing gentle, sulphate-free travel shampoos and conditioners is an easy way to keep your hair healthy on the go. These products cleanse without stripping your natural oils, which helps your hair remain soft and balanced, even when you wash more frequently or encounter unpredictable water quality, including hard water.
Leave-in conditioners or hair oils
Lightweight leave-in conditioners and natural oils are ideal for travel. It provides hydration, reduces frizz, and protects your hair from UV radiation, wind, and chlorine. A few helpful options include:
- Lightweight serums
- Leave-in sprays or creams
- Argan, jojoba, or coconut oil
Heat protectants
Even if you only use styling tools sparingly, it's still essential to use a heat protectant, such as a heat protection spray, to shield your hair from damage caused by straighteners, curling irons, or the hot sun.
Hair accessories
The tools you pack can make caring for your hair much easier on the road. Gentle hair accessories help prevent tugging, snagging, and unnecessary breakage, which is especially important when your hair is exposed to new environments.
Here are some helpful accessories to bring along:
Soft hair ties or silk scrunchies
Wide-tooth combs
Snag-free clips
Extras for convenience
A few thoughtful extras can take the stress out of travel haircare. Necessary items include:
Dry shampoo
Travel-friendly conditioning masks
Compact brushes
These small additions keep your hair feeling clean, nourished, and tangle-free without needing long showers or complicated routines.
If you want guidance on caring for your hair while travelling, schedule a consultation with Thomson Medical. Our specialist can help you create an effective haircare routine that works for your hair type and lifestyle.
Post-travel hair recovery
After a trip, your hair may feel dry, stressed, or more fragile than usual. A thoughtful post-travel haircare routine can help repair damage, restore moisture, and keep your hair healthy and strong for your next adventure.
Hydrating and nourishing treatments
Travelling can expose your hair to the sun, chlorine, high water pH levels, and even dry aeroplane air. Using deep-conditioning masks, leave-in conditioners or lightweight hair oils can help to replenish lost moisture.
Focus on the areas that were most exposed, such as the ends and mid-lengths, to restore softness, shine, and manageability.
Trimming split ends
Trips can make existing damage, like split ends, more noticeable. A quick trim prevents further breakage, keeps your hair looking polished, and makes styling easier. Even a small trim can make a noticeable difference in your overall hair health.
Scalp care
Scalp treatment following your travel, such as cleansing and exfoliating, can help remove product buildup, mineral deposits, and dead skin cells. Following up with a nourishing scalp serum or lightweight treatment helps maintain a healthy scalp environment and reduces dryness, as well as preventing itchiness and flaky scalp.
By paying attention to hydration, trimming, and scalp health, your hair can bounce back quickly, feel stronger, and look its best and fully ready for your next trip or daily routine.
FAQ
How often should I wash my hair while travelling?
You usually don’t need to wash your hair every day. 2-3 times a week is enough for most people. When you’re on the move, it’s easy to overwash without realising it, and that can make your hair feel dry or rough.
But if you’re sweating more, swimming, or in a humid climate, it’s completely okay to adjust. Listen to your hair and do what feels best for you.
Can travel cause hair loss?
Travel itself doesn’t cause hair loss, so try not to worry. Sometimes your body gets stressed from long flights, disrupted sleep, or changes in routine, and you might notice a little extra shedding. This process is usually temporary and gradually resolves once your routine returns to normal.
Are hotel shampoos safe for hair?
They’re safe, but they may not feel the best for your hair. Many hotel shampoos are a bit more alkaline or contain ingredients your hair isn’t used to, which can make it feel dry.
If you can, bring your own travel-sized shampoo and conditioner so your hair stays soft and predictable wherever you go.
How can I protect my hair from the sun and wind?
The sun and wind can be surprisingly harsh when you’re outdoors all day. A hat or scarf makes a big difference, and a quick spritz of heat protection spray helps prevent dryness and colour fading.
Simple protective styles such as a loose braid, bun, or ponytail also keep tangles under control and make your hair easier to manage after a long day.
Can I style my hair while travelling?
Absolutely. You don’t have to give up styling; just be gentle with it. If possible, minimise heat and let your hair air-dry more often. When you do reach for a straightener or curler, use a heat protectant so your hair stays healthy throughout your trip.
What travel-sized hair products are recommended?
You don’t have to overpack hair essentials for your trip. Here are some recommendations for packing quickly but still meeting your hair’s needs:
- Conditioner
- Dry shampoo
- Heat protectant
- Small gentle shampoo
- Leave-in or lightweight hair nourishing oil
Hair accessories such as soft scrunchies, clips, or a wide-tooth comb can also help you manage your hair without causing breakage.
How do I revive my hair after long flights?
Plane cabins are extremely drying, so it’s normal for your hair to feel a bit dull afterward. Here’s what you can do to cope with post-flight hair damage:
- Rehydrate your hair by drinking water and keeping yourself hydrated.
- Smooth a little leave-in conditioner or hair oil over your ends to restore moisture.
- Gently massage your scalp to boost circulation and help you feel relaxed.
Once you’re home or settled, a deep-conditioning treatment can bring your hair right back to life. Loose hairstyles or braids during your flight also help prevent tangles.
The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised recommendations and advice tailored to your hair concerns while travelling, request an appointment with Thomson Specialist Skin Centre today.
Dr Tan Hiok Hee
Dermatology (Skin)
Thomson Specialist Skin Centre (Novena Specialist Center)
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