Winter is just around the corner and the cold months ahead mean chunky sweaters, snowfall, and quality time spent wrapped up in a blanket by the fireplace with your loved ones. However, as you revel in the winter activities and embrace the cozy change in weather, your hair might not share the same enthusiasm.
The drop in temperature and lower humidity levels can leave your hair drier than usual. If you don’t have a winter-ready hair care routine, this can lead to brittle hair, frizz, and excessive split ends. The best way to protect your hair from the colder climate is to switch up your hair care routine and prioritize moisture.
In the colder, winter months, whether it is dry skin or visual hair damage, it can be a real damper on your self-esteem. As easy as it is to throw your hair up in a bun and call it a day, take a step back and prioritize your self-care needs with a winter-ready hair care routine. With the right hydrating hair care products, you can maintain your confidence throughout winter and provide your hair with the love it deserves in the colder climates.
We put together a list of reasons winter may impact your luscious locks, plus three winter hair care tips you can use to get your hair winter-ready.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Winter’s Impact On Your Locks
Numerous factors can contribute to your hair not looking or feeling its best during the cold winter months. Whether you’re contending with hat hair due to frequent beanie use or dealing with dry and brittle strands, the harsh winter elements can take a toll on your hair if you don’t have the proper routine or hair care essentials in place. Here’s why this happens:
- The Drop in Temperature: The chilling winds and colder temperatures can strip your hair of its natural moisture. Prolonged exposure to cold air can lead to unwanted dryness, damage, and split ends.
- Use of Your Indoor Heater: During the winter, you’re more likely to use your heater to keep warm. When paired with the winter climate, your heater can reduce the humidity levels in your house, leaving your hair dry and more susceptible to damage. If you’re constantly using a heater indoors, it can also lead to static electricity and excessive frizz.
- Hat Hair: If you’re wearing a hat or a beanie to keep warm, this can cause your hair to get frizzy and tangled. Hat hair can also leave your hair lifeless and dull.
Three Winter Hair Care Tips
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your hair needs to suffer. With a few small changes to your routine, you can combat the winter weather and keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
Here’s what you need to do:
Prioritize Hydration
Keeping your hair, skin, and body hydrated should be your top priority. Low winter temperatures outside and constant heater use inside can lead to excessive moisture loss, which can suck the moisture from your skin and hair — leading to brittle ends and unnecessary damage.
There are many ways to protect your hair and keep yourself hydrated. This includes:
- Drink More Water: Keeping yourself hydrated will benefit your hair, skin, and overall health.
- Use a Humidifier: A humidifier will help add moisture back to the air in your home, helping you reduce dryness and keep your hair and skin happy.
- Switching to a Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner: Hydrating shampoos and conditioners can reduce your risk of breakage and keep your hair hydrated throughout winter. You’ll want to look for hydrating ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, or bamboo extract.
- Consider a Leave-In Conditioner: If your hair needs an extra moisture boost, consider adding a leave-in conditioner to your hair care routine to combat damage, eliminate frizz, and boost shine.
- Hydrate Your Scalp: If your skin is dry, your scalp probably is too. Consider adding a scalp treatment into your routine or switching to a hydrating shampoo to keep your scalp hydrated and eliminate dandruff/itchiness while maintaining your scalp’s natural pH balance.
Add Hair Oil to Your Routine
Nutrient-rich hair oil can help you overcome seasonal risks and help your hair look and stay healthy all season. These hydrating products, which you can easily add to your routine, can be applied from the mid-length to the ends of your hair. A nutrient-rich hair oil can help eliminate frizz, reduce breakage, and keep your hair smooth and shiny.
Consider also investing in a travel-size hair oil you can carry in your purse or bag while on the go. Having this will ensure you can always give your hair a quick pick-me-up when you have flyaways, frizz, or dryness while on vacation, at work, or out on the town.
Protect Your Hair From Heat Damage
Winter weather and the constant use of hot tools is a recipe for disaster. During the colder months, your hair becomes exposed to many damaging elements, and using a blow dryer, curling iron, or a straightener on your can exacerbate the problem and lead to excessive breakage and split ends.
However, that doesn’t mean you must say goodbye to your favorite hairstyles all season. Instead, consider this:
- Stick to Heatless Styling: Braids, buns, and ponytails are great heatless styles to switch to during winter.
- Use a Reliable Heat Protectant: If you can’t stick to heatless styling all seasons, you’ll want to always use a reliable heat protectant before using hot tools on your hair. This product is a must for protecting your locks from split ends and dryness.
- Try Different Blow Drying Techniques: When blowdrying your hair, keep the blow dryer a safe distance away and on a low heat setting.
- Get Regular Trims: Split ends are inevitable, especially during the winter. Remember to get regular trims to prevent split ends and keep your hair looking healthier. As a rule of thumb, we recommend getting a trim at least every six weeks.
Whether it’s a dry scalp, unwanted frizz, or brittle ends, never let winter impact your confidence or your hair health. The start of a new season is an opportunity to take a step back and assess your hair care routine. And with a few changes to your hair care regimen, you can protect your hair from damage and keep your hair looking and feeling great all winter.
show comments