How to Take Care of Wavy Hair After an Airplane Ride: You’ve just stepped off the plane, ready to start your vacation or head to an important meeting, but your wavy hair has other plans. Instead of the defined, bouncy waves you started with, you’re greeted by a reflection showing flat roots, frizzy ends, and a generally lifeless mane. The dry, recycled air in an airplane cabin is notorious for wreaking havoc on hair, and wavy textures can be particularly susceptible to its effects, becoming dehydrated and unpredictable.
But don’t let post-flight hair woes ruin your arrival. Reviving your waves is easier than you think. With a little preparation before you fly and a simple recovery routine upon landing, you can quickly bring your hair back to its beautiful, defined state. This guide will walk you through the essential steps for pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight care to ensure your waves look great no matter how long you were in the air.
Pre-Flight Preparation: Setting Your Waves Up for Success
The battle against airplane hair is often won before you even leave for the airport. Creating a strong, moisturized foundation is the best defense against the cabin’s drying environment.
1. Deep Condition and Hydrate:
In the 24 hours before your flight, treat your hair to a deep conditioning mask. Wavy hair thrives on moisture, and giving it an extra dose will help it resist the dry cabin air. Look for masks with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or glycerin. This step infuses your hair with the moisture it will need to endure the flight.
2. Style with Moisture in Mind:
When styling your hair for travel day, focus on moisture-locking products. Apply a leave-in conditioner to damp hair, followed by a curl cream or mousse that provides a soft, flexible hold. Avoid products with a high alcohol content, as they can be drying. The goal is to seal the cuticle and keep as much hydration in the hair strand as possible.
3. Choose a Protective Style:
Leaving your waves down and loose on a flight is an invitation for tangles, frizz, and flatness from leaning against the headrest. Instead, opt for a protective style. A loose braid, a high bun (a “pineapple”), or a few gentle twists will protect your ends, minimize friction, and help preserve your wave pattern. This prevents your hair from being crushed and keeps it contained.
In-Flight Care: Small Steps for Big Impact
You don’t need a full salon in your carry-on, but a few small actions during the flight can make a significant difference.
1. Hands Off:
It can be tempting to touch or play with your hair, but try to resist the urge. The more you touch your hair, the more you disrupt the cuticle and transfer oils from your hands, which can lead to frizz and weigh your waves down.
2. Pack a Silk or Satin Accessory:
The rough fabric of an airplane seat’s headrest is a major source of frizz-inducing friction. If you plan to sleep, bring a silk or satin pillowcase to slip over the headrest or use a silk-lined travel pillow. A silk scarf or bonnet works just as well. This small luxury allows your hair to glide smoothly, preventing breakage and frizz.
3. Mist Lightly (If Needed):
For long-haul flights, your hair might start to feel parched. A small travel-sized spray bottle filled with water, or a facial mist with gentle ingredients like rosewater, can be a lifesaver. A light spritz can reintroduce a bit of moisture without ruining your style.
Post-Flight Recovery: Reviving Your Waves
Once you’ve reached your destination, it’s time to release your hair and assess the situation. Your waves will likely be a bit compressed and sleepy, but they are easy to revive.
1. The Shake and Fluff:
First, gently take down your protective style. Use your fingers to shake your hair out at the roots, which will help restore volume. Avoid using a brush on dry wavy hair, as this will break up your wave clumps and cause frizz. If you have any tangles, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to gently work through them.
2. Refresh with a Spray:
This is the most crucial step for bringing waves back to life without a full wash. Use a curl-refreshing spray or create your own by mixing water with a small amount of leave-in conditioner in a spray bottle. Lightly mist your hair until it’s slightly damp, but not soaking wet.
3. Scrunch to Redefine:
Once your hair is damp, it’s time to scrunch. Cup sections of your hair in your palm and gently squeeze upwards towards the scalp. This technique encourages your wave pattern to reform and spring back into place. You can do this with your head flipped upside down for extra volume at the root.
4. Add a Finishing Touch:
If your ends still feel a little dry or frizzy, apply a tiny amount of lightweight hair oil or serum. Rub a drop or two between your palms and smooth it over the mid-lengths and ends to seal in moisture, add shine, and tame any remaining flyaways.
5. If All Else Fails, A Quick Co-Wash:
If your hair feels beyond saving with a simple refresh, a “co-wash” (washing with conditioner only) is a fantastic option. It will cleanse away any travel grime without stripping your hair of its natural oils. It’s quicker than a full wash and shampoo cycle and is exceptionally gentle on dry, tired waves.
Frequently Asked Questions (Wavy Hair After an Airplane Ride)
Q: How can I prevent frizz during a flight?
A: The best way to prevent frizz is a combination of pre-flight moisture and in-flight protection. Start with a deep conditioning treatment before you fly. Style your hair in a protective style like a loose braid or bun to minimize friction. Using a silk scarf or silk-lined travel pillow will also significantly reduce the friction that lifts the hair cuticle and causes frizz.
Q: What are the best travel-friendly hair products for wavy hair?
A: Look for multi-purpose products in travel sizes (under 3.4 oz or 100 ml). Key items include:
- A leave-in conditioner spray: Great for pre-flight prep and post-flight refreshing.
- A curl cream: Can be used to style before and after the flight to define waves.
- A lightweight hair oil or serum: Perfect for taming flyaways and sealing ends.
- Dry shampoo: While not ideal for moisture, it can be a lifesaver for absorbing oil at the roots after a long journey, especially if you have fine waves that get greasy easily.
Q: Should I wash my hair right after I land?
A: Not necessarily. Over-washing can strip wavy hair of needed moisture. Try a spray-and-scrunch refresh first. This is often enough to revive your wave pattern and get you through the day. If your hair feels excessively dirty, greasy, or flat, a co-wash is a better alternative to a full shampoo, as it will cleanse gently while maintaining hydration.
Q: My waves fall flat no matter what I do. Any tips for volume?
A: Flatness is common after leaning against a seat for hours. To revive volume, flip your hair upside down and gently shake it out from the roots with your fingertips. You can also use root-lifting clips at your scalp for 10-15 minutes while your hair air-dries after being refreshed with a spray. Focusing your scrunching efforts at the root area will also help create lift.