Keep Straight Hair Smooth in Humidity

Rain, sweat and damp air can change a smooth finish. I would plan how to dry it again, rather than promise a bottle will make it waterproof.

Start with your service

With fresh Permanent, keep to the 48-hour advice and leave hard sweaty workouts for the first two days. I do not give my usual Semi and Demi a special gym ban. Another treatment needs its own advice. Getting caught in rain is not a reason to choose a wash during the wait.

My approach: put the shape in while you dry, rather than keep rescuing it with heat.

Before you leave the bathroom

1. Choose the necessary product jobs. A conditioning heat protector may do enough on its own. A separate leave-in and heat protector already make two.
2. Give roots and lengths a little direction. Point the dryer down the length, guide gently and keep it moving. Do not let a shape you dislike dry hard, then keep ironing it out.
3. Leave optional finishing optional. A humidity product may help the finish for a while. Keep it within your two products and follow the bottle. I cannot promise the weather will leave it alone.

Caught in rain

Use a hood or umbrella if you can. At home, gently dry and guide it back towards the finish I showed you. Never put ordinary irons on wet or damp hair.

If the same bit needs correcting every day, stop and look at why. You might need a different method, a more achievable finish or a look at the hair, rather than one more pass with the iron.

Gym days after restrictions end

Tie or arrange it comfortably without pulling. Deal with sweat and the scalp instead of always adding dry shampoo. Gently drying the roots can help the finish. Wash when the scalp needs it and the treatment allows it.

Go gently while it’s wet. Hair is especially fragile when it is wet. Squeeze or blot, do not rub, and never pull through a knot.

Keep helmets and other protective equipment fitted properly. We can plan a hairstyle around safety; we do not change the safety for a hairstyle.

What if you actually want waves?

Then I would not make you follow this routine. If you like the movement left after Straightment, use my curly/wavy method. Less frizz and less curl are different requests.

If your hair is naturally curly or coily and you want very little styling, I cannot promise completely straight hair through wet weather. I would explain the work involved rather than send you home with five products.

Questions

Will a serum make hair waterproof?

I would not promise that. Rain, sweat and damp air can still change the finish. Judge the particular product.

Should I iron rain-damp hair?

No. Ordinary hot irons go on fully dry hair, with the product used as directed.

Can I go to the gym after Semi or Demi?

I usually give no special gym restriction for Demi. Keep any different advice I gave you, then look after the scalp afterwards.

What about fresh Permanent?

Leave hard sweaty workouts for the first two days. Keep to the washing and pressure advice as well.

Do I need a separate anti-humidity layer?

Only if it does something you need and fits within two leave-on products. It is not compulsory.