Is there anything special you should do now that it’s getting colder and sometimes even dryer? Yes, although the winter months can adversely affect both your hair and scalp, there is plenty you can do to keep your hair looking its best.
By taking the right prevention steps, you can mitigate or even eliminate common hair and scalp problems like an itchy scalp, dandruff, or brittle hair.
With that in mind, here are 10 tips and tricks for healthy hair and scalp during winter:
- Regularly trim your hair.
By trimming the ends of your hair on a regular basis, you reduce dry split ends. Think of trimming your hair at least once every six weeks. Additionally, a beautiful haircut will help you keep looking your best. You may, however, be reluctant to keep your hair trimmed if it happens to be thinning, reasoning longer hair gives you a chance to hide your scalp by combing over thinning areas. If this is a concern, then try using a hair loss solution instead. Hair building fibers are a safe and hypoallergenic way to instantly make your hair appear thicker and fuller. All you need is a small amount to make your hair more manageable.
Alternatively, if you are reluctant to trim your hair because it grows so slowly, try using a high-quality hair growth shampoo.
- Keep your hair and scalp hydrated.
Drinking plenty of fresh, clean water throughout the day will do more than help you stay hydrated on the inside. It will also help your skin, scalp, and hair stay hydrated, too. Additionally, use a moisturizing shampoo for a dry scalp. Your scalp may become dry because of the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
- Avoid the temptation to over-style your hair.
While over-styling your hair during the warmer months may work out fine, the same grooming techniques you normally use with a curling iron and hair dryer can increase the risk of hair damage during the winter months.
- Don’t wash your hair with hot water.
While you may have enjoyed washing your hair with hot water during the warm months, it’s now time to discontinue this habit. Despite the fact that hot water may actually be more comforting on a cold day, it can quickly dry out your hair and scalp. Instead of hot water, wash your hair with either lukewarm water or cool water. Besides drying out your hair, hot water can also damage your scalp because it will be a little more sensitive during winter.
- Always dry your hair completely before you leave the house.
Be sure to blow-dry, towel dry, or let your hair dry naturally before you leave the house. The cold weather will freeze your damp hair, making it more likely to break. Moisture in your hair will be affected by the cold air, and it will make your hair brittle.
- Wear a wool beanie when you go out.
A beanie adequately covers your hair, protecting it from wind or rain or snow. Still, you may be reluctant to wear one because of how your hair will look when you take it off. However, one way of getting around this disheveled look when you take off your beanie is to wrap your hair in a silk staff before you slip on your warm, wool hat. The silk staff will not only protect your hair, but it will also cut down on static electricity. Naturally, you don’t want either the scarf or the beanie to be too tight as this will restrict circulation to your scalp.
Another problem you might encounter is a buildup of sweat that will irritate your scalp. If this occurs, use an anti-dandruff shampoo is preferably used for before dandruff starts to appear.
- Reduce how often you wash your hair.
While you might enjoy the luxury of fresh, clean hair by washing it several times a week, reduce hair washing to a minimum during winter. How little depends on your hair, but a good rule of thumb is not to wash hair more than two or three times a week. This simple step will go a long way to preventing your hair from quickly getting dry.
- Treat your hair to deep conditioning treatment.
Condition your hair deeply at least once a week. This will counteract the effects of dry indoor heat and cold outdoor winter air. You can either use a moisturizing formula to quickly and easily lock moisture back into your hair or you can use a hair oil like Jojoba oil after you’ve shampooed your hair.
- Use a humidifier during the cold winter months.
While humidity can often create frizzy hair, the heat in your bedroom can make your hair very dry. A humidifier can prevent your hair and your skin from losing its natural moisture.
- Protect hair shine and bounce.
Here is a unique hair tip from StyleCraze: “In winters, with extra drying of the scalp and with frizz, your hair can tend to lose a lot of its shine and bounce. Brush out your hair to remove tangles and apply honey over the roots and hair. Cover up your hair in a shower cap or towel and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water. This will help restore shine and bounce to dull damaged hair. This one treatment that you can not miss when your aim is winter hair care!”