- Clean rainwater acts as a moisture source to help maintain hair health
- However, rainwater has its fair share of pollutants and can strip moisture instead (e.g. acid rain)
- What to do when rain falls on your hair?
Clean rainwater acts as an insulator that protects hair from cold weather and provides a moisture source to help maintain hair health. In fact, some of the common reasons people complain about hair being curly are due to the fact that it doesn't get enough rain or that they just don't shower that often and thus can't get enough water. The reason hair doesn't grow back properly after being exposed to so much dry weather is that the proteins in hair fall off and the resulting curl pattern develops.
However, rainwater can damage your hair when it is contaminated by pollutants. If you are sick of dealing with shiny skin, oily hair or even damaged hair from time to time, then you have to start by looking for the main contributors.
The reality of the matter is that most people have never even bothered to know what rainwater can do to their hair. In this brief, we will try to give you a good reason why rainwater will have an impact on the texture of your hair.
Before we start, let’s not leave all the blame of dry hair on hard water; It may as well be caused by the chemicals contained on shampoos and conditioners. The best alternative here is to keep your hair balanced to a certain pH level.
The simple answer that I gave above is that the absence of these additives makes rainwater softer which later leaves your hair feeling softer. It also doesn’t contain chemicals that are so drying.
Is rainwater damaging your hair?
While walking in rain and splashing in puddles can look inviting, you should be ready for the repercussions on your hair. As a matter of fact, rainwater is known as the purest water that we have around. It’s also the softest water because it doesn’t contain any minerals. Though many people think that rainwater may not damage their hair, there are some of the instances when it may collect some chemicals and particles before it hits the ground or even after coming into contact with tanks. This happens when this water comes in contact with surfaces and pollutants.
When contaminated with pollutants and chemicals, rainwater can have some negative effects on your hair. The first rain is known to have some remnant impurities that lead to acid rain.
How does rain water affect your hair?
Now that you know rainwater can make your hair softer but at the same time affect your hair negatively if it’s contaminated, we need to check how rainwater is likely to affect your hair.
First and foremost, we have to make it clear that direct rainwater is known to be pure and unpolluted which makes it perfect. However, as it comes down, no one is sure what it collects on the way. For this reason, it may have some impacts when hair is exposed to it. As a matter of fact, when hair is exposed to rainwater in some situations, it may be damaged to some extent.
When acid rain comes into contact with the hair, it strips the moisture from it. The results here are frizzy and rough hair. In some other instances, when the hair gets wet, it may weaken the roots and eventually allow bacteria to breed in that moist environment. If the hair is not dried evenly, then it may be damaged on the strand. This leaves hair dull, dry and knotted.
Hard water may have additional effects on your hair. As a matter of fact, it is one of the leading causes of hair drop and bacterial infection in the hair. Some research shows that hard water has some impacts on your skin and hair because it causes dryness or even damages from the chemicals and minerals it contains.
What to do after hair is wet from rainwater?
As I had already stated, pure rainwater may not have any problems with your hair. However, if your hair is wet, there are chances of bacteria breeding inside which can cause more trouble. However, there are several things you can do to avoid all these repercussions with your hair. It’s very important to carry a raincoat or umbrella wherever you are outdoors during the rainy season. Though, sometimes when you won’t remember to carry an umbrella or even to do something about it.
If for any case you are caught up in a rainy situation, then follow the below instructions: ‘
- Leave your wet hair loose - The main reason for this is to allow more room for it to dry as you continue. The moistened traps can trap bacteria in the scalp and cause breakage when tied up tightly.
- After you are somewhere comfortable, get some intense repair shampoo and use it to repair damages on your hair. Nourish your hair deeply and leave hair smooth and strong. Repair shampoos and conditioners also make your hair manageable.
- However, if you noticed that the rainwater contained any impurities and it had some intense damages to your hair, start by using soft water to rinse your hair. You can as well use a weak acid rinse either vinegar or lemon juice to rinse before applying any shampoo or conditioner.
- If the rainwater didn’t feel so hard or if it didn’t damage the hair completely, then you can use your all natural shampoo and a bit of conditioner. As a matter of fact, the conditioner will make the scales on your hair lay flat.
Now you know the reasons why rainwater leaves your hair softer and curly. You have also known what other effects do rainwater has on your hair especially if it’s not pure.
What should I do if my hair looks strange?
If your hair looks strange or smells odd, it's probably because of your scalp going through a hair break. These hair breaks are caused due to the combination of the sun's heat and your scalp's ability to accept moisture, resulting in hair that is dry. Hair break can also be caused due to too much of a relaxing bath (bath mitt) or too much of a bathing (bath soap) for your hair.
If you've found problems with your scalp, try an anti-break agent like shampoo.
Next time you see other girls and women cover their hair when it’s raining innocently, know that there are very good reasons to do it besides the discomfort of rainwater.