The most awaited time of the year is finally here! Longer nights, better sleep, cold weather and comfortable clothes - winter brings with it so many reasons to be happy. While you’re enjoying every bit of these colder months, your hair might have a different story to tell.
Winter can be harsh on your scalp and hair and cause a lot of dryness. But with the right winter hair care tips you can tackle this problem easily. All you got to do is make a few changes in your hair care routine.
The dry winter air can wreak havoc on your hair if you don’t take the right precautions. During these months, your hair finds it harder to retain moisture, making it brittle, prone to damage and frizzy. This not only leads to damage but also causes scalp dryness and invites issues like dandruff which can be quite embarrassing.
So, how do you take care of your tresses to reduce the harsh effects of winter and prevent damage? We’ve put together some effective winter hair care tips and tricks that you can follow to achieve healthy hair this winter.
1. Keep your hair and scalp nourished
Keep your winter outfits close and hair oils closer during this time. One of the most important winter hair care tips is to apply oil to your hair and scalp to combat dryness effectively. Concentrate on the tips as much as the scalp to avoid split ends during this time of the year.
If you have a naturally dry scalp that gets drier in winter, use oils such as coconut oil or castor oil to nourish your hair. Let the oil sink in for at least two hours before washing it off.
2. Reduce the use of styling tools
We know you have a lot of parties to attend and you can’t live without your favorite hair straightener or curling iron. But your hair becomes more prone to damage during the winter and overuse of heat styling tools will only cause further dryness and breakage.
Reduce the usage of these tools, but if you must use them, be sure to spritz some heat protection spray before styling to prevent damage.
This winter hair care tip will ensure your hair stays healthy throughout the season.
3. Avoid frequent hair washes
During winter, your scalp won’t get as oily as it usually does, therefore you do not need to wash your hair too frequently. Keep your shampoo sessions limited to twice a week to allow your scalp to distribute its natural oils effectively. Washing your hair too frequently can cause excessive dryness and lead to itchy scalp and dandruff.
Follow this winter hair care tip all through the season to prevent undesirable scalp problems. You can also invest in a mild, nourishing shampoo that won’t cause dryness.
4. Don’t step out with wet hair
Drying your hair in winter can be quite a task, especially if you have long and thick hair. An important winter hair care tip you must follow is to dry your hair completely before stepping out of the house. The cold weather outside extends the drying time and makes it more prone to damage.
Also, the cold expands your hair shaft putting your hair at the risk of breakage as well as faster colour fading.
5. Protect your hair
Prevention is better than cure and this stands true for your hair as well.
Instead of looking for winter hair care tips after your tresses are damaged, prevent that from happening by covering your hair.
Use cute winter accessories such as woollen caps and scarves, these will not only keep your hair protected but will also save you from cold and flu which is common during winter.
Make sure your headgear isn’t too tight as this can restrict blood circulation in your scalp. Keep your winter hat clean as sweat build-up can irritate the scalp.
6. Use deep conditioning hair masks every week
If you haven’t discovered the power of hair masks yet, you definitely should this winter!
Invest in a deep conditioning hair mask that you can apply on your day off and give your hair the pampering and love it deserves. This important winter hair care tip will keep your tresses shiny, healthy and strong all throughout the season.
Hair masks add a boost of hydration and are highly potent, therefore give you effective results in about half an hour. You can even prepare a hydrating hair mask at home by using some ingredients from your kitchen, such as eggs, avocado, olive oil and more. These ingredients promote hair growth, add shine and help fight scalp infections.
7. Invest in dry shampoo
If you have an oily scalp it is natural for you to reach out for the shampoo bottle too frequently. But as mentioned earlier, washing your hair frequently can cause it to dry out.
That’s when dry shampoos come in. Spraying some dry shampoo over oily and greasy scalp will make your limp hair appear fuller and drier. It will instantly make your hair look fresh.
It is difficult to style hair that is not freshly washed but with the help of a dry shampoo, this too is possible. It absorbs all the oil from the scalp and makes your hair look voluminous.
8. Winter hair care tips: FAQs
Q. Which oils are best for your hair during winter?
A. Coconut, olive, castor and almond oil work well during winter. These oils seep deep into the hair follicles and repair it from within.
Q. Is it true that hair fall increases in winter?
A. The dry winter air sucks the moisture out of your scalp and makes it more prone to damage. This causes a significant amount of hair loss.
Q. Is olive oil good for hair in winter?
A. Olive oil has high levels of monounsaturated fats and vitamin E, which is important for hair growth. It nourishes and penetrates your hair shaft better than most oils.