“Winter Hair Wellness: 13 Expert Tips for Maintaining Healthy Locks in the Cold Season”
Sitting by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa and under a warm wool blanket – there is nothing better than winter. Even if you’re having the time of your life, that’s not the case with your hair! With the right hair care tips for winter, you can protect your hair from becoming brittle and prone to breakage.
The cold can make your scalp dry and flaky and your hair rough and brittle! Just as we protect our bodies from the cold, our hair also needs protection in winter. So despite the colder temperatures, keep your hair strong, supple and moisturized. Scroll down to read our hair care tips to ensure your hair and scalp stay as happy as you this winter!
1. Moisturize your scalp with hair oil
During winter, your scalp becomes dry and itchy due to the lack of moisture in the air. This can cause dandruff, scalp irritation and dandruff, which can lead to hair loss. A hot oil massage with nourishing hair oils such as coconut and olive oil works wonders. These oils penetrate the hair shaft and keep the hair moisturized (1). The massage improves blood circulation in the scalp, nourishes the hair follicles and stimulates hair growth.
2. Avoid washing your hair frequently
Washing your hair frequently with shampoo strips it of its natural oils, causing further dryness and irritation. Try extending the time between your washes. Don’t shampoo your hair more than twice a week. Always use a sulfate-free and mild shampoo to maintain the natural moisture balance.
3. Care for your hair properly
Never skip rinsing in the winter. Use a thick, creamy conditioner with natural oils like coconut, olive, jojoba and shea butter for deep hydration and nourishment.
How to use a conditioner
Shampoo your hair and rinse thoroughly.
Apply the conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends of the hair.
Focus on the ends to prevent dryness and split ends.
Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes and then wash it out with normal water.
You can finish with plain water to lock in moisture and prevent frizz (2).
4. Avoid heat styling tools
Your hair is already sensitive in winter and using heat styling tools can make it brittle, which can lead to hair breakage (3). Enjoy your natural hair texture and air dry your hair as often as possible. Avoid blow-drying as it strips your hair of moisture.
5. Apply a deep conditioning hair mask weekly
Weekly hair mask treatments are an excellent preventive measure to ensure overall hair health. Dr. Michael May, MD, a hair transplant surgeon, says, “In the winter, the cold air dries out the hair much faster. This is why you need to deep condition your hair more often than usual. This is meant to help replenish the moisture in your hair and scalp. Leave-in conditioners are also ideal for additional protection against dryness.” A hair mask with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients such as egg and honey nourishes the hair. These ingredients moisturize dry curls, promote hair growth, add shine and soften hair. Egg yolk contains water-soluble peptides that nourish and stimulate hair growth (4). Honey is rich in amino acids and vitamins and has hair conditioning effects (5). You can then apply hair oil or serum to moisturize the hair overnight.
6. Don't go out with wet hair
Cold air stretches hair shafts, making them susceptible to breakage and can cause color fading. Always dry your hair before going out in the sun. Give your hair more time to air dry or, better yet, adjust your winter hair care routine accordingly.
7. Cover your hair
Your hair becomes stressed when exposed to the cold and dry wind and snow. Cover it with a scarf or hat. You can line your hat with silk or satin fabric to prevent friction from the cotton and wool materials. You can also use a dry oil spray to combat static and tame flyaways.
8. Protect hair from static electricity
Static hair is the most annoying thing in winter. Lack of moisture combined with the friction caused by sweaters, scarves, hoodies, and hairbrushes causes your hair to become frizzy and static. In this situation, use a vented hairbrush with a combination of boar and plastic bristles. Apply a leave-in conditioner to prevent frizzy hair due to static electricity and keep hair supple. You can also take an anti-static tumble dryer sheet or anti-frizz hair towels.
9. Avoid hot showers
A hot shower in freezing weather is always tempting. But hot water can strip your hair of its natural oils and moisture, leaving it dry. It can also cause the scalp to dry out and become flaky. Always wash your hair with lukewarm water and rinse with cold water at the ends to seal the hair cuticle.
10. Switch to microfiber towels
Avoid using cotton bath towels to dry your hair. Use microfiber cloths instead. They are gentle on your hair, have a high water absorption capacity and help reduce friction and hair drying time. On the other hand, cotton or other materials can make your hair rough and lead to tangles, frizz, and flyaways.
11. Get regular cuts
The dry and cold air in winter leads to hair breakage and split ends. The friction from hats and scarves puts additional strain on your hair. To prevent this, cut your hair every four to eight weeks. This will keep your hair looking fresh in winter. Section your hair half an inch from the bottom to remove dry, split ends.
12. Eat healthy to keep your hair healthy
Protein-rich foods have a positive effect on hair health. Increase your intake of all essential, vitamin-rich foods such as carrots, eggs, pumpkins and berries. Follow a balanced diet that combines vegetables, leafy greens, dairy products, omega-3 fatty acids and meat to keep your body and hair healthy.
13. Get a humidifier
The sudden change in temperature can deprive your hair of moisture in winter. While a space heater can provide warmth when the temperature drops, it also dries out the air in your room and damages your hair. Humidifiers help balance moisture levels in the room to prevent dryness.
Just as the cold affects the skin on your body, it also affects your hair and scalp. This can cause dryness and flaking of the scalp, leaving your hair dry, rough and brittle. But a little TLC can go a long way toward revitalizing, strengthening, and replenishing your hair. If you add some of the recommended tips above such as: Such as moisturizing your hair with oil, you can keep your hair moisturized and healthy. Other tips include covering your locks, trying protective hairstyles like braids, and avoiding hot showers. These winter hair care tips are easy to follow and will keep your hair looking smooth and beautiful.