THE ULTIMATE WINTER HAIR CARE GUIDE

Besides our skin and dress sense, our hair plays a vital role in defining our persona. However, we should also confess that we hardly take special care of hair during the winter months. Unlike our skin, we somehow fail to give our hair the attention and care they deserve when the winter strikes and leaves our hair dry and frizzy. Keep scrolling down to know some practical winter hair care tips to take care of your hair when the mercury starts falling.

Understanding the type of your hair 

It is crucial to know what type of hair you have before deciding on a standard hair care routine that should be helpful throughout the year.

Straight - Hair experts refer to straight hair as Type 1. This type of hair requires comparatively less conditioning, unlike curly or coily hair. Conditioning once a month and proper combing to allow the sebum to cover ends of all hair shafts will be sufficient hair care steps if you have straight hair.   

Wavy – Type 2 in the list of hair types is wavy hair. These are intermediate between straight and curly hair as the hair may have slight curls at the end. Wavy hair is a fascinating combination of straight and curly hair. Therefore, the problems of wavy hair are also a mix of concerns of straight and curly hair. Wavy hair can suffer from dryness near the roots and oily towards the curly ends. In winter, wavy hair is the first to suffer from frizzing and drying.

Curly- Curly hair is Type-3 hair that can appear voluminous with a natural bounce. However, you are prone to experience dryness, loss of hair shine, and frizz in the winter season if you have curly hair. The natural lack of luster is because of the uneven shape of hair that may not evenly reflect the light. Winter will make curly hair appear duller because dry winter weather will steal the moisture.

Special tips for dry hair

Exposing hair to excessive use of heat styling instruments or frequent coloring is sure to make your hair dry and flaky. Use blow dryers sparingly to maintain moisture and shine as these devices can weaken the hair shafts causing dandruff in winter. It is better to replace these electric devices after some time as the heat-regulating mechanism is prone to fail after frequent use. Overnight use of hair serum will ensure adequate hydration.

Covering your hair during winter

Resist the temptation of flaunting your beautiful hair when venturing out during the winter. Cold winds and dry weather rob the moisture leading to hair damage, dryness, and loss of natural luster. Go for some trendy hats or silk scarves to cover your crown and maintain healthy hair. Try to avoid cotton or woolen material. These fabrics result in breakages and split ends because of friction. Satin or silk is suitable for covering your hair during the winter.

Preventing dryness in an indoor setting

You are fortunate if you live in a coastal region as the air is usually humid because of the proximity to the sea. Taking extra precautions to prevent the dry climate from damaging thick hair is necessary if you live in a dry environment. Use a humidifier if you have a room heater to keep your room warm during the harsh winter. Humidifiers add moisture to the surroundings and maintain the natural shine of hair.  

Washing care guidelines

Resist the temptation of washing or shampooing hair frequently. It can lead to severe dryness of the scalp leaving your hair to appear dull and lifeless. The chemical ingredients in most shampoos and similar hair products aim to clean hair, and in the process, these products also strip your hair and scalp of natural oil content. Add to this the winter dryness, and you have itchy, flaky, and dry scalp hair.

A winter hair care routine by reducing the frequency of shampooing to less than two times a week helps seal natural moisture. Make sure that the shampoo is mild and free from sulfates. While minimizing the use of shampoo, you should however not neglect the use of conditioner.

Nothing can match the pleasure of immersing yourself in the warmth of hot water on a cold winter morning. Avoid using hot water because it may instantly strip the moisture from your hair. Finish the hair-washing routine with a cool rinse to help retain the moisture after a bath with lukewarm water during winter.

Hair conditioning tips

Using a conditioner that offers shea butter, jojoba oil, and coconut or olive oil is recommended as one of the important winter hair care tips. Choose a conditioner that nourishes and hydrates the scalp. Follow these hair care steps while using a conditioner:

1. Use a mild shampoo for rinsing hair
2. Gently apply the conditioner to cover hair from the middle portion to the end
3. Use more conditioner on ends if you have a have hair with split ends
4. Wash with lukewarm water after leaving the conditioner on hair for a few minutes

Once a week hair mask routine promises to be an appropriate option for maintaining overall health by preventing hair problems in winter. A combination of egg and honey is an ideal health supplement for your hair to retain the softness and luster during cold and dry winter weather. It nourishes hair and scalp with water-soluble peptides, vitamins, and amino acids. Use it regularly to condition your hair if you are losing hair in winter.

Styling tips during winter

Avoiding the use of heat styling instruments is the best styling tip for winter hair care. Keep all heat styling paraphernalia like curlers, blow dryers, and straightness away as soon as the winter arrives. Heat styling devices produce intense heat and dehydrate your scalp hair causing hair damage.

Heat styling worsens the hair problems because your hair is already fighting the dehydrating effects of cold weather. Experiment with some cool yet simple hairstyles in the winter season that do not require heat styling. Try twists, braids, or buns this winter to maintain shiny and smooth hair. Avoiding the use of a blow dryer does not mean that you have to leave your place while your hair is still wet. You should not keep your hair moist when venturing out of your home. Exposing your wet hair to the sun during winter can cause fading of color as the hair becomes more prone to breakage. It is better to dry your hair by using microfiber towels that possess excellent water-absorbent properties.

Focus on nourishment and hydration

The health of your hair is a reflection of your overall physical condition. Focus on eating nourishing food that is rich in proteins. Drinking an adequate amount of water is vital to keep your body hydrated. It will also help maintain the moisture content in the hair and scalp to prevent dryness and frizz. 

Static prevention

Static is an annoying winter menace that results as your hair rub against hairbrushes, hoodies, and sweaters. Using a leave-in conditioner or similar hair care products can help avoid the issue. It will ensure silkier hair and prevent frizz or breakage of hair. Static can also be the result of dry hair. Make sure to maintain proper hydration to avoid dryness.

Takeaway

The winter season need not be harsh on your scalp and hair if you follow some simple Winter Hair Care tips. Just a few hair care steps to retain moisture and a little more time are all you need to maintain a natural bounce, shine, and softness of your hair despite a chilling winter. Use only the best hair products to suit your hair type to prevent damage.