The winter months are harsh on even the healthiest hair. Winter weather, static electricity, and indoor heat can cause your hair to become dehydrated, frizzy, and prone to breakage.
Believe me, as native Chicagoan, I know the struggle.
Your hair deserves just as much TLC as your skin does. But it’s often overlooked, simply because a lot of women don’t realize how much damage their hair is facing.
In many cases, it isn’t until dandruff, an itchy scalp, or other problems arise that women realize what’s really going on with their hair.
For today’s post, I’m sharing my practical tips on how to take care of your hair and keep it looking healthy, hydrated, and luscious all winter long.
How To Keep Hair Healthy In Winter
Use an oil treatment on your scalp.
Your scalp often gets especially dry and itchy during the winter because of the lack of moisture in the air. A dry scalp often results in irritation, flakiness, dandruff, and even hair loss. A great way to prevent these uncomfortable and often anxiety-inducing symptoms is with an oil treatment for your scalp.
An effective oil treatment typically contains coconut oil or olive oil. The treatment works when your hair shafts absorb and retain the oil, therefore staying moisturized. When you apply the treatment, be sure to massage your scalp to stimulate hair growth through improved blood circulation.
Rethink how you brush your hair.
When was the last time you put much thought into how you brush your hair? It’s especially important during the winter to be gentle when brushing your hair. And because wet hair is more fragile, it’s better to let it air dry a bit before running a brush or comb through it.
In general, you should use a wide tooth comb or gentle detangling brush with smooth-coated prongs that are far apart. Start by brushing your ends and then gradually move upward, brushing the entire length of your hair to finish.
Cut back on shampooing.
Using shampoo to wash your hair isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but shampooing your hair too often is. Frequent shampooing strips your hair of its natural oils, resulting in irritation and dryness.
Try washing your hair no more than twice per week. Stick to a mild shampoo that is sulfate-free and curated for your hair type. In between washes, use a dry shampoo to maintain healthy, clean looking hair.
Condition your hair the right way.
Hair conditioner is especially important in the colder months. To protect and maintain healthy hair, use a conditioner that is thick and creamy, and that contains natural oils. Coconut, jojoba, and olive oil are best for your hair, as well as shea butter, because they penetrate your hair strands to provide deeper hydration and nourishment.
When you apply conditioner, apply it from the middle of the length of your hair to the ends. You want to concentrate most on the ends of your to prevent dryness and split ends. Avoid applying conditioner to your scalp. Leave the conditioner on your hair for 2-3 minutes, then rinse it clean.
If you want to use a leave-in conditioner, use one that is lightweight and free of harmful chemicals like sulfate.
Minimize heat styling.
As you know by now, heat causes damage. And with cold weather lurking outside, you want to protect your hair, not cause further damage. To do that, try to minimize your use of heat styling. This means cutting back on your use of curling irons, straighteners, and other styling tools that use heat to shape your hair. If you still want that curled look, try a heatless curl method like this.
Apply a deep conditioning mask weekly.
Applying a weekly hair mask treatment is a fantastic way to prevent damage and support the overall health of your hair and scalp. This one is my favorite and you can read my full review HERE. A quality hair mask will moisturize dry hair, encourage hair growth, enhance shine, and soften your hair.
Keep your hair covered when you head outside.
During the winter months, the weather can wreak havoc on your hair. One of the best ways to protect your hair in the winter is to keep it covered when you head outside. If you’re worried about hat hair, you don’t have to rely on a beanie or ball cap to protect your hair. Instead, use a scarf or other similar hair wrap to cover your hair. As a last resort, simply pull your hoodie up over your hair to protect it from the elements.
Get regular trims.
Dry, cold air tends to cause hair breakage and split ends. Friction from layers of winter clothing doesn’t help either. To prevent further damage and keep your hair looking fresh, get a trim every four to eight weeks. A trim typically involves snipping off about half an inch from the bottom of your hair.
Pay more attention to what you eat.
The food you eat impacts just about every part of your body, including your hair. For healthy hair, try to eat a diet that is rich in protein as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Aim to eat as many leafy greens, dairy products, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids as you can.
Perhaps most important, when it comes to your hair, is staying hydrated. Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.
Invest in a humidifier.
Dry air leads to dry skin, and with dry skin often comes a dry scalp. To keep your skin and scalp moisturized and therefore keep your hair healthier, invest in a humidifier. It will keep enough moisture in the air to combat the dry winter air that wreaks havoc on your hair.
With the right steps, you can keep your hair looking healthy and beautiful all winter long!
These are my go-to tips for maintaining gorgeous, healthy looking hair, even in the dead of winter. What are some of your best hair tips? What’s your healthy hair secret? I want to hear from you!
For more of my beauty secrets and health tips, head over to the blog.
