If you live in a place with winter weather, then you may be used to the damage your hair has suffered. Extreme winter weather on all textures and hairstyles. Just like skin, hair needs to be protected from the cold in order to stay soft and healthy. Protect your hair from arctic air, blowing winds, static electricity and even indoor heat. You want pretty locks to show off when spring (finally) arrives!
Try these 10 winter hair care tips to keep your hair in order – even in the cold:
- Wear a hat.
It is important to cover your hair during the winter months to shield it from the moisture-robbing dry air, snow, wind, and rain. This is not the time to worry about dreaded hat hair. The elements dry your hair out, making it more prone to breakage.
Wool, cotton, and other fabrics can cause breakage as well, so make sure to line your hat with silk or satin to help prevent damage. Fight static electricity under your hat by using a dry oil spray. Dry oils are weightless and contain natural oils that moisturize hair, bringing back its shine.
- Buy a humidifier.
Want to know a surprising way to combat winter dry hair? Use a humidifier. Indoor heating makes indoor air very dry, pulling moisture out of hair. A humidifier helps to rehydrate the air to keep your locks looking shiny.
- Get regular trims.
Trimming your hair every four to eight weeks is a great way to maintain your hair’s health and keep your curls looking fresh. Take off the bottom half an inch to reduce the risk of dry hair and split ends.
- Lower the water temperature when you shower.
Even though a steamy shower might be just what you’re looking for when the temperature is below freezing, hot water can zap moisture from your hair making it brittle and more vulnerable to breaking. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and follow with a cool rinse instead.
- Avoid heat styling.
Allowing your hair to air dry is best. Blow drying draws moisture out of your hair increasing the chance of breakage. Heat-free drying helps keep your hair shiny and healthy. Short on time? Try taking your shower in the evening so your tresses can dry naturally overnight. Embrace your natural hair and air-dry whenever possible. When your hair is already delicate in the colder months, heat styling amplifies the issue and sucks the moisture right out of your strands. Refrain from straightening or curling your hair during the winter. Use this time to explore new styles like twists, braids, and buns.
- Don’t leave the house with wet hair.
Wet hair is more vulnerable to damage than dry hair. Walking outside in winter with a wet head can cause hair to freeze and break. While air drying is best, it’s better to blow dry your hair than go outdoors with a saturated mane.
- Use an oil treatment.
When winter wreaks havoc on your hair, restore moisture with an oil-based hair treatment. Choose a lightweight leave-in formula with argan oil to instantly revitalize dry, damaged hair. Apply nourishing hair oil at the ends daily to help replenish moisture and protect your hair.
- Deep condition once a week.
Moisturizing is the name of the winter hair care game. Use conditioner weekly to replenish moisture and resist the effects of hot styling tools, indoor heating and cold winter winds. Static hair is a phenomenon that usually occurs when your hair is exposed to cold weather. Moisturizing your hair with conditioner will help protect it. You could also try gently swiping a dryer sheet through a flight to remove static electricity from your hair.
- Commit to a weekly hair mask.
Just like weekly face masks are essential for healthy skin, weekly hair masks can make a significant difference when it comes to dry, damaged hair. They can reverse the effects of dryness while making sure your hair is protected at an optimal level all year round. Hair masks are quick and easy to use. They are packed with tons of hair health benefits and are effective in under 20-minutes. Hair masks offer benefits like softening, hydrating and adding shine.
- Avoid frequent hair washes.
If you’re someone who washes their hair every day, it’s time to switch things up. Over-washing your hair will strip it of natural oils that help to keep hair moisturized and protected. This is especially bad in the winter when those oils are much needed. Try extending the time between your washes as much as possible. If you typically wash your hair every day then switch to every other day. If you find your hair is still very dry, try every three days. Another way to help extend the time between washes is to use dry shampoo. Dry shampoo opens up the hair shaft and brings life back to your hairstyle. It will also keep your hair smelling and looking fresh.