From the cold, dry air outside to the dehumidified air indoors, winter season is not only unkind to skin, but also to hair. The following tips will drastically help lessen winter hair damage during the colder months:
Cut down on hair wash frequency!
The most common recommendation universally shared by professionals is to cut down on the amount of times you was your hair during winter.
In fact, as the scalp does not produce enough natural oil during this season, daily or excessive shampooing can deprive the scalp of the limited moisture it has, leading to scalp conditions such as itchy scalp and dandruff.
For those who are not comfortable cutting down on their hair wash routine, dry shampoos can serve as an alternative to providing fresh hair without the loss of any natural oil.
Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
Contrary to any other season, it is essential to have a slightly heavier oil-based moisturizer for hair in winter, regardless of your hair type. All four hair types are in fact sensitive to the chilly, drying breeze of the cold weather and are at risk of premature hair loss, breakage, brittle texture, and split ends. Therefore, switching to hair moisturizing agents that are oil-based and evaporate at a much slower rate is a useful addition to your winter care routine. Regular application of hair oil directly to the scalp and hair can also help restore the lost moisture and shine to your hair. It can be any nourishing oil of your choice, such as coconut, castor, or argan oil, etc.
Commit to weekly moisturizing treatment in addition to a daily hair care routine. Try to keep up with the excessive moisture loss and replace it with a leave-in conditioner or nourishing hair serum.
Say goodbye to static hair
According to professionals, static hair is the characteristic sign of dryness. Rather than investing in fancy products to tackle this complaint, the easiest way to fix this is to ensure your hair is adequately hydrated. It may require the extra effort of using a regular conditioner followed by a leave-in product to lock in the moisture. You can also use a lightweight oil as an alternative to the leave-in conditioner if planning haircare on a budget. But remember, unlike any other time of the year, conditioning after shampooing is a must. Another quick fix to static flying hair, is to carry a regular anti-static laundry dryer sheet, that instantly settles down hair with a little sweep.
Minimize the heat
As our hair is composed of protein, heating, in general, is not ideal for it, especially during winter. Try to limit heat treatments as much as possible. When possible, opt for air drying over blow drying to protect its moisture and shine.
If unavoidable and necessary, then ensure you use heating devices only after applying heat protective products first (sprays, serums, and creams, etc).
No wet hair allowed outside
It is critical that you take the time to dry your hair completely before leaving home, as cold air can cause severe damage to your hair strands. It does so by expanding your hair cuticles, making them brittle and making you loose hair color faster, meaning that not only would you suffer hair loss at a quicker pace, but your hair dye would also fade away sooner than you would have expected.
Select your headwear smartly
It might seem a bit off the course for hair care, but beware that your headwear matters during winter. As much as you might be attracted to cute wool and cotton beanies, and colorful head scarves, remember these two materials cause split ends and breakage during the colder months. However, it is equally important to cover your head and hair from the cold air to maintain an adequate body temperature and avoid catching a cold and getting sick. A quick and easy fix to this dilemma is to line your favorite wool, cotton, or coarse material headwear with a silk or satin cloth. You can also select a smooth scarf to wear under your headwear to protect your styled hair from going haywire before reaching your destination.
