10 WINTER HAIR CARE TIPS: DO'S AND DON'TS

Winter can be a challenging time for our beautiful locks. Cold weather is harsh on all hair types, and, just like skin, our hair needs protection to remain soft and healthy. It needs protection from the icy air, whipping winds, and the drying heat from radiators. That's why, in this article, we're bringing together these hair tips to get you through the next few months.

 

1. DON'T OVER WASH

Most of us have probably made this mistake before – when our hair is not looking its’ finest, we tend to overcompensate it with shampooing and mad-applying conditioner. It can be difficult to fight the urge but, one of the best winter hair tips for you today is to let your hair have a break. Washing your hair too much will dry your scalp out even faster, which is accelerated by the cold, dry air. Give your new winter hair care routine a trial run. Experts recommended washing your hair every 5 days, or biweekly, depending on your hair texture and how your hair reacts. A reduced washing schedule allows time for your hair to retain its natural oils. After the trial run, you may find your hair sleeker, shinier, happier, and healthier.

 

2. DO BUILD YOUR OWN HAIR PRODUCT RANGE

Getting to know your hair type is often the best care you can provide for it. And because wintertime can potentially pose many challenges for your hair, it might actually be an opportunity for you to know it better. Generalized hair care recommendations are great and might be handy, but after all, the best hair tips are the ones that work for you. Once you've found your tried-and-true products, stick with them, keep re-stocking them, and start gathering your own hair product range at home!

 

3. DON'T WASH YOUR HAIR WITH HOT WATER

Okay, this is a difficult one. Because Winter calls for hot showers, baths, and saunas. The good news is that you can still enjoy a nice hot bath as long as you clip your hair up, or turn the water temperature down for your hair. Hot water strips away your hair's natural protein and breaks down the keratin bonds, which is damaging and exacerbates dryness in winter. So, preserve your hair's moisture by using lukewarm water at the beginning or the end of your shower or bath.

 

4. DO LOCK IN MOISTURE

In order to lock in as much moisture as possible, our experts suggest utilizing hair oils and serums in winter. Treat your hair to a moisturizing mask at least once a week and it will thank you. Curlier hair can do the same to captivate moisture but should avoid dry shampoo altogether to minimize scalp irritation, while oil-prone hair can benefit from hydrating shampoo formulas, but do not overuse, limit it to 1 to 2 times a week. Bonus tip: if you live in an area where the water is particularly hard (or mineralized), try to use a pitcher of filtered water to wash your hair.

 

5. DO COMBAT FRIZZ AND STATIC

Why do we always have frizzy hair in the winter? Well, cold temperatures cause the air to become dryer, which in turn causes our hair to pick up extra static electricity. The best way to fight frizz and static hair is to use moisturizing products which are designed to help seal your hair's cuticles. Lock the hydration and keep the frizz out! Invest in high-quality conditioner and oil treatments to get you through the winter. Most hair types can often benefit from using all-natural hair oils such as coconut, argan, and jojoba oil.

 

6. DO WEAR A HAT

Cover your hair to shield it from the moisture-robbing dry air when you go outside. Snow, wind, and rain, these harsh elements can dry your hair out, making it more prone to breakage. Woolly hats or cotton snoods, as cute as they might look, are not actually our hair’s best friend. Both wool and cotton absorb moisture from your hair which can eventually lead to breakage. Make sure your hat has a silk or satin lining to protect your locks. Also, use a dry oil spray. Dry oils help moisturize hair and bring back its shine.

 

7. DON'T OVERDO STYLING

Blow-drying and heat-styling can be damaging to hair all year round but is particularly bad news for your hair during winter. Frequent blow-drying can make frizz worse. Wash your hair in the morning, embrace your natural hair look and let the hair take its sweet time to dry out. Refrain from straightening or curling your hair too, as heat exposure causes hair to become brittle and even hair thinning or hair loss. Of course, there are occasions where we just must do some styling – don’t we all look forward to those holiday parties! If that’s the case, be sure to always protect your hair with a nourishing heat shield spray to minimize damage.

 

8. DON’T GO OUTSIDE WITH WET HAIR

Wet hair is more vulnerable dry hair. Walking outside with a wet head is a bad idea because it might cause you to catch a cold and cause hair to freeze and break! Slightly conflicting with what we said above, blow-dry your hair if you really don’t have to let your hair naturally dry before you go out. But, I mean, who wants to do this anyway… it’s way too cold to go outside in that icy weather with wet hair! Brrrr…..

 

9. DO LIMIT CHEMICAL USE

Our hair is experiencing a tough time during winter, so limit the amount of chemicals applied to the hair, which will improve moisture levels, decrease breakage and prevent further damage. We suggest using gentler products or seeing a professional for advice and application.

 

10. DO USE A HUMIDIFIER

Indoor heating causes the air to become dry, pulling moisture out of your hair and skin. Use a humidifier at home or at the office to fight dry hair. No, we don’t mean the scented diffusers. Just use a normal humidifier to rehydrate the air and keep your hair healthy. Use filtered or distilled water if possible. This not only helps you to have better hair but also helps you to breathe better and have more hydrated skin!