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The cold winter months can be tough on your hair due to the dry air and low humidity levels. Furthermore, factors like indoor heating and the constant use of scars and hats also lead to hair damage during winter. All these factors combined lead to super dry strands that are brittle and prone to breakage. The constant shift from cold outdoor air to heated indoors only adds to the damage and the static makes your hair frizzy and prone to tangling.
It’s not just your hair strands…the scalp also tends to be dry during winter, leading to dandruff and itchiness. The hair overall loses its natural moisture and is running low on the natural oils that keep it feeling soft and silky. During this transition to cold weather, we’re here with a gentle reminder to give your tresses their fair share of pampering.
Winter Hair Care Tips You Need This Season
1. The Winter Trim
Love how mind-blowing your mane seems after a fresh haircut? We’ve all been there. Blame it on the ’Gram if you must, but we bet there’s a haircut you’ve been aching to try but can’t muster up the courage to. Shake up your look with a subtle chop and snip or take the leap with an entire revamp. Trust us, you don’t need any fancy colour, this is ’nuff for a fresh start.
2. Fry-Nay
Detangling your hair after a shower only to see an army of strands on…the ground, your fingers, and your neck? *heart skips a beat* Maybe, that hair styling addiction and heat treatments are taking a toll on your hair. Take a break. Swap excessive styling with a serum that tames and nourishes those gorgeous tresses. Trust us, you’ll fall in love with your crown all over again.
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3. Shower Power
Take cold (yes cold) showers. This might not be the most relaxing bath time, but it helps to retain the shine of the locks. Instead of a regular towel, try using an old cotton T-shirt to soak up all that moisture from dripping wet strands. You’ll spend far less time drying your hair plus soft cotton is far gentler on just-shampooed hair than towel fibers. Pro tip: Use a silk scarf to keep the ends protected from woollen clothes, since they dry your hair out even more.
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4. Rehab Your Scalp
Temperature level low, frizz level up. We say don’t let your scalp down. Now this might not be the most glamorous topic when it comes to hair, but there isn’t a #GoodHairDay without a healthy scalp, right? Warm your favourite hair oil up, gently massage it into your hair and cover it with a shower cap. Wash after 20 minutes. Add this to your winter hair care routine. Champi = Happiness!
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5. Before The Hair Haul
Who said you need a crowded bathroom cabinet to supercharge those locks? Don’t get twisted, we are all for hair care time, but your diet is equally important. Bad food can jeopardise all your efforts. Indulge in a healthy diet coupled with the right exercises and your scalp will thank you later. Also, is there anything drinking water doesn’t help with? *cue to reach out for that bottle RN*
6. Moisture Boost
Hydration is the answer to most of your woes during cold months, and hair care for the winter season is no different. The dry air takes away all the moisture from your hair, which eventually leads to frizz, breakage, and dullness. The solution? Moisturising shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and serums. Ideally, use products that don’t have sulphate and paraben that are free of fragrances and other harsh chemicals. The hair care products not only give your hair strands a boost of hydration but also improve moisture retention and boorish the hair cuticle. Leave-in conditioners and hair oils are also must be included in your hair care routine for winter.
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7. Protect From Cold
Imagine putting some noodles in the fridge – won’t they get brittle and dry? Well, that’s exactly what happens to your hair in the winter. Cold winds and low humidity mean your hair strands get weak and this leads to breakage. This is why it is important to protect your hair outdoors and shield the strands with a hat, scarf, or wrap made of a smooth fabric to minimise static. Tying up your hair in a bun or braiding your hair are also great ways to protect your hair from the cold during winter.
8. Minimise Damage
While we know it is tempting to bring out the blow dryer in the winter and blast hot hair to make your strands dry quickly, trust us, it's not worth it. Your hair which is already battling cold air just does not deserve to be exposed to concentrated hot air. Similarly, heat styling tools like curling irons or straighteners strip your hair of its natural oils and make it prone to breakage. If you absolutely (and we mean absolutely) need to use a heat styling tool, ensure you’re using a hair protectant spray and using a low heat setting. Additionally, treat your hair with a nourishing mask after using heated hair tools.
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9. Maintain A Balanced Diet
A winter hair care routine is incomplete without the right diet and internal care. Include foods rich in omega-3 acids like salmon and flaxseed that are essential to maintain scalp health. Protein is the building block of your hair (and nails) so eating eggs, lean meats, beans, sprouts, and paneer should be your priority. Winter hair care also includes ensuring you keep hydrated and avoid dehydrating habits like excessive caffeine consumption and smoking.
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10. Make Microfibre And Silk Your Best Friends
Frizz is often the result of friction and static, and using a satin pillowcase and microfibre towel to dry the hair will help fix this concern. If you’re wondering why your winter hair care routine is not helping tame frizz, this is sure to help.
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Key Takeaways
Creating a winter hair care routine is super important to ensure the cold air, low humidity, indoor heating, and friction from wearing hats don’t damage your hair. Following our hair care tips in winter will help you protect your hair from dryness, breakage, frizz, and dandruff, and minimise irritation. Creating a hair care routine for winter is also crucial because this is when you have several events, weddings, and parties to attend. Incorporating our tips on haircare for winter will help you avoid all the concerns brought on by the chilly weather.
FAQs
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Why does my hair feel drier in the winter?
Several factors lead to dry hair in the winter including:
- Lack of humidity
- Cool, dry hair
- Indoor heating
- Friction from hats and caps
- Heating tools
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Can I use heat styling tools in the winter?
Frequent heat styling during the winter can further dry your hair. If you must, use a heat-protectant spray and use a lower heat setting.
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How often should I wash my hair during the winter?
You can continue the recommended frequency of 2–3 hair washes every week during the winter. Ensure you use super moisturising and nourishing products that are sulphate and paraben-free.
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How to protect hair from cold air?
Wear hats, scarves, or caps made with soft fabric that won’t cause friction like satin and silk. You can also braid your hair or opt for updos to protect the tresses.
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How to prevent winter dandruff?
Proper scalp care is the key to keeping the winter dandruff away. Hydrate your scalp with oils to soothe dryness, use moisturising shampoos, and ensure you wash off conditioners to avoid product build-up.
