My Journey with Gray Hair: Embracing Change and Finding Peace
June 3, 2025
Why Montrose’s High-Desert Sun Feels Like a Giant Flat Iron on Your Hair—and How I Keep My Strands Happy
Living at 5,800 feet in Montrose is dreamy—those epic sunsets, that crisp mountain air, the sunshine that makes everything sparkle. But here’s the flip side: our high-altitude UV rays and dry desert air are basically a flat iron for your hair, sucking moisture from root to tip and turning your lengths into crunchy straw by day’s end. If you’ve noticed your color fading faster than you’d like or your ends feeling rough, you’re not imagining things. Let me share what’s really happening—and exactly what I do (and recommend) to keep my hair—and yours—healthy and vibrant.
UV at Altitude = Extra Harshness
Did you know UV intensity goes up about 4–5% for every 1,000 feet you climb? That means here in Montrose we’re soaking up nearly 25% more UV than Denver, and almost 40% more than the coast. All that extra sun:
Weakens your hair’s proteins, so strands snap more easily
Fades color pigments, leaving reds and blondes looking brassy
Lifts the cuticle, which sparks frizz and that dreaded “straw” texture
Desert Dryness Drains Your Strands
On top of the UV, our humidity often dips below 30%. Dry air literally sucks moisture right out of your hair and scalp, so you end up with:
Tangly, parched ends that resist any styling
Flat, lackluster color within weeks of your appointment
An irritable scalp, since wind and dryness can lead to flakes or itch
Don’t Just Shade Your Scalp—Cover Those Lengths
A baseball cap only protects your crown—your long lengths still get scorched. Here’s how I shield every inch:
Wide-Brimmed Hats – I pick breathable fabrics (cotton or UPF-rated) that shade my forehead and my cascading lengths.
Loose Braids or Low Ponytails – Tucking my hair away prevents direct sun exposure without stressing my roots.
UV-Protectant – A few pumps of ELEVEN Australia Miracle Hair Leave-In Treatment: not only detangles and smooths but also gives your strands a UV-protectant boost—perfect for shielding every inch from those intense rays.
My Go-To Routine for Montrose Hair Health:
Hat + Loose Style: I grab a wide-brimmed hat and tuck my hair into a loose braid.
Quick UV Mist: Five spritzes of my go-to UV spray before I head out.
Deep-Condition Every 4–6 Weeks: My salon’s professional mask is non-negotiable.
Before you head out into our Montrose sunshine, don’t forget to swing by my online shop and grab the essentials that keep your hair looking—and feeling—its very best. My Miracle Treatment Mask is a game-changer for restoring moisture and shine after those high-desert days, and I’ve hand-picked a handful of other must-haves (think lightweight UV mists, ultra-gentle shampoos, and leave-in glosses) that work perfectly with your low-ammonia color. Treat yourself to a little at-home salon love—you deserve it.
