It’s party season, which means the drinks will be flowing until New Year’s Day. But a headache may not be the only thing you wake up with after partying hard.
After a night out, locks can be left tangled, dry and screaming for some TLC. Hair expert Nicole Petty of Milk & Blush has shared everything you need to know about ‘hangover hair’ and how to cure it.
What is hangover hair?
While not a medical term, it’s an accurate description of what happens to your hair after a long night of partying.
It’s what you wake up to the morning after – dry strands, frizz and knots. Your hair will look as tired and frazzled as you most likely feel.
Whether it’s sweat from dancing, alcohol-induced dehydration or simply collapsing into bed without care, hangover hair is your mane’s way of asking for a little extra love.
This post-party phenomenon can affect everyone, though some hair types are more vulnerable to the dehydration and damage caused by a night of indulgence.
Curly hair is typically a drier hair type due to its structure as it can lose moisture quickly, leaving it prone to frizz and tangling.
Colour-treated locks could also fall foul of a ‘hangover’ as dyes and bleach are typically drying and can cause manes to become brittle, which can become worse with alcohol consumption and dehydration.
The worst drinks for you locks
We all love a festive tipple, but your hair will be less enthusiastic about alcoholic beverages. Some drinks are worse than others, so which ones should you be wary of?
Champagne is typically the drink of choice on festive occasions like Christmas and New Year’s Eve, but its high sugar content and carbonation can cause dehydration.
Cocktails, while delicious, are loaded with fruity and sugary syrups and mixers, not to mention loaded with alcohol, so they can become a double threat to moisture levels.
It’s no surprise that both red and white wine are key culprits for hangover hair – wine is acidic, so it will naturally dry out your hair with high consumption.
Major spirits like vodka, gin and rum can drive your party spirit, but they’re also a nightmare for dehydration, especially when mixed with sugary mixers.
Of course, alcohol should be consumed responsibly but you can also back this up with rehydration by drinking plenty of water alongside any alcoholic beverages. Your hair will thank you for it!
The hangover hair cure
#1 Hydration, hydration, hydration
The cure starts from within. Drink plenty of water to replenish your body and hair after a long night of festivities. Dehydration can cause your scalp to dry out, increase shedding and reduce the flow of nutrients to follicles.
Eating hydrating foods like cucumber, watermelon and coconut can also boost water intake. Plus, it may help to treat your physical hangover as well.
Hydration also extends beyond water intake. Apply a moisturising hair mask or leave-in conditioner and leave it for several hours to revive your mane. Choose a mask with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, argan oil, glycerin and shea butter to maximise results.
#2 Detangle with care
If you wake up in a knotted mess, avoid reaching for the hairbrush and harshly tugging at your hair.
Applying a hair mask first can make detangling much easier and starting with your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to gently work through tangles can help you avoid damage and pain.
A detangling spray or lightweight oil can also make this process easier and minimise breakage.
If you have hair extensions, be extra careful as too much force could loosen bonds and reduce their longevity, especially if you’ve had them for a while.
#3 Cleanse without stripping
A post-party shower can work wonders for a hangover and it will do just the same for your hair.
After dancing the night away, your hair will surely crave a refreshing cleanse. But when it comes to washing your hair the next day opt for a sulphate-free shampoo that effectively removes sweat and product buildup without stripping your hair.
Sulphates can be incredibly drying in hair products, so it’s important to prioritise hydration and gentle scalp clarifying for that refreshed and revitalised feeling.
#4 Avoid heat but don’t sleep
After a hangover hair wash, make sure to remove excess water from your hair by using a microfibre towel or a cotton t-shirt, but then the best thing you can do is let your hair naturally dry.
If you’d rather style your hair, apply plenty of heat protectant and stick to blow-drying over straightening or curling to give your hair a break.
You may be tempted to collapse into bed after a hair wash, but sleeping with wet hair can be incredibly damaging. Let it dry at least 80-90 percent before taking a post-party snooze.
