KEMA Column

For the Rainy Season. For Hair That Defies Humidity and a Mind That Stays Steady

Advanced · Quality · Oriented

We are told to expect higher-than-average rainfall this year's rainy season. Add to that a succession of approaching typhoons and the occasional news of earthquakes—the world both above and below us continues to feel unsettled. As air pressure drops and humidity rises, hair becomes frizzy and spirits grow heavy. It is precisely because of this season that the few minutes you spend grooming your hair can become an unexpected source of emotional support. Today, we’ll talk about how to create hair that won’t succumb to humidity and how to gently navigate this turbulent season.

"Heavy Rain" This Year. What Kind of Season Is It for Hair?

The rainy season is expected to arrive around early June, which is about average for Western Japan through the Kanto region. However, as the front is likely to remain stagnant near the main island, rainfall is predicted to be higher than usual this year. A long period of high humidity means that the "season where you can least afford to let your guard down" will be prolonged for your hair.

Hair frizz and expansion aren't just in your head, nor are they solely due to your natural hair type. Hair contains areas that easily absorb moisture and areas that don't; in high humidity, the more damaged your hair is, the more unevenly it absorbs moisture from the air. This inconsistency in absorption is what manifests as frizz and volume—this is the primary reason your hair won't cooperate during the rainy season.

The Key Is the Concept of "Balance Between Moisture and Heat"

The shortest path to hair that isn't swayed by humidity is not to suppress it with external products, but to balance the moisture levels inside the hair itself. The concept of "Shitsunetsu" (Moist Heat)—the balance between moisture and heat, which KEMA deeply values—is a philosophy that seems tailor-made for this very season.

By carefully filling the hollow, damaged interior of the hair with the necessary components, the hair stops absorbing excess moisture even when external humidity is high, making it harder for frizz and expansion to occur. Rather than temporarily masking the hair with a surface coating, preparing your hair to be "moisture-balanced from within" is the foundation for getting through the long rainy season with the greatest ease.

Often Overlooked: "Scalp Humidity"

During the rainy season and typhoon weather, the scalp is something often surprisingly overlooked. When humidity and temperature rise simultaneously, the scalp becomes prone to stickiness, odor, and itchiness due to sweat and sebum. Leaving your hair damp after being caught in the rain isn't exactly ideal for your scalp environment, either.

If you want to keep your hair beautiful, start with your scalp, the foundation. This is a season to focus on a balanced cleansing method: thoroughly washing away excess sebum and impurities while being careful not to strip away necessary moisture. Using a scalp tonic after shampooing to replenish hydration will help keep your roots feeling light and fresh.

How Do They Spend the Humid Season in Korea?

Korea also has a rainy season known as "Jangma," and summer days can often be even more sultry than in Japan. Yet, Korean women's hair always looks lustrous, not because they treat humidity as an "enemy" to prepare for, but because they stay a step ahead with small, daily rituals.

They don't leave it unwashed, they don't leave their hair wet for long, and they apply a protective layer of leave-in treatment before heading out. It’s not about doing anything extraordinary; it’s about taking those everyday habits and performing them with a little more care to match the season. At the heart of Korean hair care is that sense of "making grooming a part of life." It is precisely because the rainy days continue that they don't cut corners on care. That accumulation makes a huge difference in how your hair looks once the rainy season ends.

A Little Effort in the Morning Prevents Frizz

Everyone has had the experience of trying to fix their hair in the morning and failing. On humid days, rather than trying to salvage hair that has already expanded, it is significantly easier to prepare it so it doesn't frizz in the first place.

The key is to apply a small amount of oil to dry hair before starting your day. Creating a thin barrier on the surface of your hair helps prevent external moisture from entering the hair shaft. Just a few drops of a non-sticky oil, focused on the ends, work wonders. If you use a flat iron, applying a heat-protective oil beforehand will help ensure your shine and manageability last until evening. "Prevent" rather than "correct." Let this be your mantra for rainy mornings.

How You Dry Your Hair at Night Affects the Next Morning's Frizz

It may be surprising, but the condition of your hair during the rainy season is almost entirely determined at night. Fresh out of the shower, your hair is vulnerable with its cuticles open. If you go to sleep with damp hair, it will set in strange patterns while you sleep, leading to frizz and puffiness the next morning.

After gently towel-drying, apply a leave-in treatment from the mid-lengths to the ends, and dry it thoroughly starting from the roots. Finally, use a blast of cold air to tighten the cuticles; this smoothes the surface and makes it harder for moisture to enter. Not skimping on these few minutes at night will save you on rainy mornings.

Why Do Rainy Seasons Make Us Feel Down?

It is definitely not your imagination that you feel down during the rainy season. When low pressure persists, the balance of the autonomic nervous system is easily disrupted, leading to increased feelings of lethargy, headaches, and general heaviness—a reaction often called "weather-related illness." Furthermore, when sunshine hours are reduced due to rain and clouds, the brain produces less serotonin, a substance linked to emotional stability, making you more prone to feeling melancholy or unmotivated.

When you add a series of typhoons and earthquake reports on top of that, tension and stress accumulate without you even realizing it. In other words, feeling a bit low during this season isn't because you are weak; it is a perfectly natural reaction due to the interplay between your body and the environment. First, tell yourself, "It’s only natural, it’s that kind of season," and don't blame yourself. Just that alone can help release some tension.

The secret to lightening your mood isn't complicated. Open your curtains in the morning and soak up what little light there is. Move your body for even just a few minutes. And cherish small routines like grooming your hair and skin. Seeing yourself looking slightly more put-together in the mirror can surprisingly shift your mood forward. The time you spend on hair care isn't just for appearances; it’s time to reclaim the sense that "you are properly taking care of yourself." If your low mood persists or feels overwhelming, please do not try to carry it alone; reach out to someone close or a trusted professional.

For Peace of Mind in Times of Need

When typhoons and earthquakes continue, the rhythm of life and our peace of mind tend to get disrupted. So, here is one thing that might bring a little comfort in an emergency: In situations where you cannot wash your hair due to water outages, simply tying it up loosely—rather than tightly—to prevent scalp humidity can significantly ease discomfort. Gently blotting the scalp sebum with a dry towel or using a brush to lift and clear away dirt is also effective. Keeping your hair in good condition on a daily basis makes life just a little easier even in such emergencies. Please, take care of yourself within your limits.

For Your Daily Routine: KEMA's Rainy Season Care Items

KEMA Scalp Shampoo

★★★★★ Scalp Care

For humid, muggy rainy-season scalps. Thoroughly removes excess sebum and dirt while retaining moisture. Addresses stickiness, odor, and itching, leaving hair light from the roots. Features a refreshing light mint scent.

¥9,020 (tax incl.)

KEMA Penta S Oil

★★★★★ Frizz & Humidity Protection

Non-sticky, despite being an oil. A morning application protects hair from humidity and serves as heat-protection before using an iron. Use it as a finishing touch for an elegant shine and silky texture.

¥5,940 (tax incl.)

KEMA Miracle Bond Balm

★★★★★ Repair for Expansion & Dryness

A highly restorative, leave-in treatment that rebuilds damaged hair from within. Perfect for your nighttime routine. Transforms hair prone to rainy-day expansion into a sleek, cohesive texture.

¥4,290 (tax incl.)

KEMA Trial Set (50mL×3)

★★★★★ Limited Quantity · Free Shipping

Start your KEMA journey here. Try our 3 popular items in generous 50mL sizes—enough for about 7 to 10 days of use. Experience structural care this rainy season with ease.

¥2,980 (tax incl.)

The Korean Aesthetic Inherited by KEMA

Rain, wind, and instability—we cannot stop these things. However, there is much more that we can control with our own hands. Hair is one such thing. Rather than steeling yourself to fight humidity, gently maintain the balance of moisture and heat within your hair—this is the very essence of the Order, Balance, and Harmony philosophy championed by KEMA.

Using advanced liposome technology to deliver ingredients to the deepest parts of the hair and restoring it from within. It is precisely during turbulent seasons that well-groomed hair becomes a source of quiet confidence. With hair that isn't swayed by the weather, make your rainy days just a little bit lighter.

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