period hair
Special treatment for our hair every month
© eldar nurkovic / Adobe Stock
It’s once a month. A very special season is beginning: the strawberry season! It gives us dynamic hormones that not only leave our skin untouched, but also our hair. That’s what period hair is all about.
Something is different, … but only what? The mood is changeable, a new pimple is looming on the chin and the hair is somehow not sitting. This connection is no coincidence! Rather quite natural. All of this is related to the female cycle, which is at its best during the period. That changes when our period hair gets on our last nerve.
Period hair: change your cycle!
Scalp is skin – that much is certain. We (unfortunately) already know that facial impurities increase during our menstruation. It is therefore also conclusive that the scalp undergoes changes due to hormonal changes. Skin expert and medical beautician Susanne Martens explains the scientific background in an interview with BRIGITTE:
Medical beautician and skin expert Susanne Martens.
An increasing sebum production in the luteal phase, which lasts after ovulation until the onset of the period, can be explained on the face and scalp by the falling estrogen level and the increase in progesterone.
Because sebum and hair follicles emerge from the same opening in the skin, our hair is directly affected by the increased oil production from our sebaceous glands. The scalp becomes greasy faster, which affects the appearance of our hair: the result is flat hair with less volume and greasy shine. But don’t fret about a bad hair day, because these tips won’t make it half as bad.
Bad hair day during menstruation – that helps!
In the first step, we try to get the excessive sebum production under control. Skin care expert Susanne Martens tells us what really helps:
Active ingredients such as salicylic acid (BHA) and fruit acids (AHA) can have a supportive effect on excessive sebum production and cornification, and not just on the face and body. The dosed application (1-2 times a week) of shampoos with salicylic acid and scalp peelings with mild fruit acids regulate the accumulation of sebum in the hair follicle and gently remove cornifications, which can also lead to dandruff and irritation in addition to an oily scalp.
If you generally have a problem with quickly greasy scalp, the described chemical peels with BHA and AHA can help. If you are only affected during your menstrual period, you can integrate it days before or during it to keep sebum production in check.
Hairstyle ideas for period hair
No time to wash hair? No problem with these hairstyles for period hair! Our all-time favorite: the sleek bun. All you need is a brush – preferably with (synthetic) boar bristles – and a braid or hair clip. Simply comb your hair back with some gel so that even the smallest hairs are laid out and tie them together. This hairstyle not only looks stylish, it is also quick to do. Alternatively, you can, for example, just style the hair on top of your head sleekly back and tie it together. Then the greasy approach is hidden and you could wear your mane half open.
Of course, dry shampoo is also our savior in need. Spray on the night before before bed and your hair will look even fresher the next morning. A dry shampoo foam, which you either leave on overnight or dry with a hair dryer, is a great solution to counteract period hair.