Santiago
Chile · Latin America
The water
394 mg/LVery hard
Source: Superintendencia de Servicios Sanitarios (SISS) · Official figure. Hardness counts dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water; it is the number your hair meets in the shower.
What very hard water does to hair
Build-up arrives quickly at this level: minerals coat the strand wash after wash, and porous or bleached hair suffers most, going rough, dull and brittle. Weekly chelation and richer conditioning are worth it on long stays.
The washing routine for Santiago
Chelating (detox) washes do the heavy lifting here: about every second wash, with a gentle shampoo between and rich conditioning afterwards. On a long stay, add a weekly deep treatment so porous or bleached hair does not turn brittle under the build-up.
Climate, from recent records (Open-Meteo, ERA5 2015-2024): January is the warmest month, averaging 30°C by day, and humidity peaks in September at about 69% on average. Day to night swings reach 15°C, which dries hair out between washes; the plan adds moisture and a sealing leave-in when a stop spans those months. In the hot months, sun and sweat do as much damage as the water: shade, a hat and a rinse after swimming carry the routine.
Plugs and power for your tools
Sockets: Type C and L. Supply: 220 V, 50 Hz.
A 120 V only dryer or styler (North American) will burn out on this supply, and a plug adapter does not change voltage. Check the label for dual voltage (100-240 V) before you plug in.
Plug, voltage and frequency: IEC World Plugs and national standards.
Plan Santiago properly
The trip planner turns this water profile into a wash plan for your hair type, a chosen kit and a packing list, month by month.