Our top hair + home hacks for surviving allergy season

Spring has sprung and that means pleasant temperatures, patio season, and unfortunately POLLEN! Just as it’s finally the perfect weather to enjoy the great outdoors, you’re hit with itchy, watery eyes, and incessant sneezing. While you can’t control the weather, there are some steps you can take to minimize the amount of pollen you take in each day.

 

Let’s start with your hair.

 

Typically, we do not recommend washing your hair daily, but during allergy season you may need to get that pollen out of your locks at the end of the day. If you start washing daily, just remember to incorporate hair masks and hydrating conditioners into your routine.

 

Another helpful hair tip involves washing your pillowcases every 2-3 days. Any pollen that’s left in your hair at the end of the day, will get transferred to your pillowcase, causing you to breathe it in throughout the night. Frequently washing will help minimize the amount of pollen on your pillowcases. We recommend silk or satin pillowcases as they are super gentle on your hair and scalp, plus help reduce frizz and breakage.

 

When you’re going to be spending time outdoors, pull your hair back into a claw clip or bun and wear a hat. This can reduce the amount of pollen getting onto your hair. Once you come inside, if you won’t be washing your hair, use your blow dryer (on a cool setting) to gently blow the pollen away.

 

Last, if you don’t already have a boar bristle brush, you are missing out! A boar bristle brush has the perfect texture for removing pollen from your hair. It also helps to spread your natural oils throughout your hair, keeping it smooth and shiny. Plus, it helps with frizz and static - keeping your strands looking flawless.

 

Protect your face outside.

 

When the pollen counts are high, it’s best to stay indoors as much as possible. That’s easier said than done for those of us who love our daily walks or have children busy playing outdoor sports. If you’re going to be outside, wear some sort of face covering whether it’s a bandanna, face mask or neck gaiter. Wearing sunglasses also helps to reduce the amount of pollen entering your eyes.

 

Don’t forget your furry friends!

 

Every time your dog goes outside, their fur collects pollen. And if you’re one of the crazy ones (no judgement - we are guilty of this!) who lets their dog sleep with them, you’re literally sleeping with a little allergy bomb every night. So, what can you do? At the very least try to brush the pollen out of their hair (do this outside) as much as you can every time they go for a walk or out to use the bathroom. You will also need to bathe your dog more frequently to try to keep the pollen at bay.

 

Nasal rinses are your best friend.

 

Saline nasal rinses, while they aren’t always the most pleasant experience, can make a huge difference. It’s a cost-effective, drug-free way to clear your sinuses and reduce your allergen load.

 

We’ve barely scratched the surface of steps to help with allergies, but these are all relatively easy ways to make a big impact. What did we miss? Leave us your best tips for combating seasonal allergies below.