How people acclimate to their environment can be what makes or breaks them—and the same can be said of their hair. Whether straight, frizzy, or curly, our locks and tresses require specific care depending on how they react to the sometimes-intense Tokyo climate—a fact the city’s stylists know all too well.

The humidity Tokyo is infamous for can prove to be an obstacle for curly hair, sending the normally neat wavy strands into a fluffy mess. And while treatment would vary depending on a person’s hair type and texture, Harajuku salon Watanabe Hair Dressing recommends finding a procedure that would take advantage of an individual’s hair.

“Aveda’s Brilliant Serum or oil would make the hair more glossy and would suppress the volume,” a staff member at the salon says. “Also, if you’re very busy in the morning and want to make it quick, you can get a hair straightening perm every six months.”

If dryness is your hair’s nemesis, Azabu-Jūban-based Kenji Hairstylist confirms that the most effective way to keep your hair hydrated is having a set of effective, high-quality products for “three stages” of daily life: cleansing (shampooing), treating (rinsing or conditioning), and caring (leave-in treatments).

“Loving your own hair is the key to finding the right tools for you. Then, hair will start responding beautifully—it’s just like the hair starts loving you back,” Kenji Hairstylist states. “The best person to ask for the right products is your hairstylist!”

The Tokyo heat can also be problematic, whether under the summer sun or due to electronic beauty appliances such as curlers or straighteners.

When it come to perms, hair protein is vital. But there are still other ways to adjust hair volume.

“People who do not have protein denaturation with their hair will be able to do perms,” says VIP Creative Hair Salon, located in Moto-Azabu. “If you want to bring volume to your hair, highlights may be good.”

VIP also stresses the importance of personal hair care at home.

“For example, if you have thick hair and want to make it softer—or would want to make your fine hair firmer—it’s best to use shampoo and conditioner hair care items that would match your needs. Other than that, procedures before the perm are very important, and removing extra silicone will also reduce the damage when you perm your hair.”

Sin Den, a Jingūmae salon, states that the process of shampooing is also vital but often not considered.

“Points to consider when shampooing: first, detangle your hair with a brush beforehand and make sure to wash your hair with warm—not hot—water. After wetting your hair, emulsify and warm the shampoo in your hands; then gently put the product on your hair, instead of slapping it onto your scalp, to prevent hair dryness and tangles. Massage your scalp when shampooing, which will also stimulate blood circulation. Using conditioner is always good, but apply after towel-drying your hair; if your hair is too wet, the conditioner will just drip off and be wasted. When you get out of the shower, don’t scrub your hair, but gently pat it with a towel.”

Sin Den also advises against washing hair every day, but rather doing so every two to three days. Sporty people and those with oily hair or dandruff, however, should shampoo daily.

As for the ultimate hair care tip, Hayato Tokyo in Roppongi says, “The Hairbeauzer hairdryer is a phenomenal product, great for hair care. Due to the Bioprogramming technology, the protein hair structure becomes firm, and although it’s a hairdryer, it will not damage your hair, but moisturize it. Conventional hairdryers would take away the luster from your hair after you dry it, and make it feel gritty. It’s also great for your skin. Just have the cool breeze on your face, and it will moisturize it and lift it up—a technology no other hairdryers have ever had.”

Thanks to these stylists and salons for their tips:

• Hayato Tokyo: The Roppongi Tokyo Plaza 206, 3-7-1 Roppongi, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-5574-8844. www.hayatosalons.com
• Sin Den: 3-9-3 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3405-4409. www.sinden.com
• VIP Creative Hair Salon: YS-Building 2F, 2-1-21 Moto-Azabu, Minato-ku. Tel: 03-6408-6132. www.vipcreativehair.jp
• Watanabe Hair Dressing: Sun Beauty Harajuku B1, 3-25-6 Jingūmae, Shibuya-ku. Tel: 03-3405-1188. www.watanabe-hair.com