Winter Care For Your Hair
While the high humidity of summer can make hair frizzy, poofy, and unruly, winter weather can be just as bad. Because the air in the winter is much less humid, it can dry out the natural moisture in your hair. Dry hair is more brittle and prone to damage and brisk, winter wind doesn’t help. To keep your hair healthy and moisturized, you need to take extra care of it in cold weather. There are several tips you can follow to keep your hair healthy throughout the winter.
Hydrate When Washing and Conditioning
To keep hair hydrated throughout the winter, use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Choose shampoos that do not contain surfactants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate. Surfactants are extra deep cleansers, and they can strip protective oils. Many
moisturizing shampoos (see below) are available with much milder cleansers and have the addition of ingredients that will help hair retain its moisture.
If your hair is not naturally oily, shampoo every other day. On the days that you skip shampooing, just rinse your hair with water and condition as normal. Conditioners that contain ingredients such as shea butter or jojoba are good choices for winter hair. In addition, be sure to bathe and rinse in warm water, as hot water can dry out your scalp.
Skip the Heat Styling Products
Allow your hair to air dry whenever possible as this helps keep it moisturized during the winter months. You can also use a leave in conditioner for added protection. If you must blow dry, apply a thermal styling product beforehand to protect it from heat, and use the coolest settings on your blow dryer rather than high heat. Avoid using a >; use your blow dryer and a round, natural bristled brush to give your hair a smooth, sleek look. If you want to curl your hair, try unheated rollers or molecular steam rollers rather than regular hot rollers or a curling iron. The less heat you put on your hair, the more moisture it will retain.
When using flat irons, straighteners or heated curling irons, use a thermal protector or a leave-in conditioner that will reduce static cling and fly away. A good anti-frizz conditioner treatment can help with moisturizing as well as control frizz, split-ends and static.
Avoid Chemicals
The winter months are not good for chemically treating your hair. Perms are very drying, and they can cause your hair to become brittle and prone to breakage. Dyeing your hair during the winter is also not a good idea because hair dyes often contain peroxide and other drying ingredients that will strip your hair of its moisture and make it look dull. To add a little color without the drying effects of coloring, get a few highlights and lowlights put in your hair.
Protect Your Hair When Outdoors
Never go out with wet hair in the winter if it is very cold. Wet hair can freeze, which can cause breaking and damage to the strands. Also, protect your hair from the sun and damaging winds by lightly wrapping your hair in a scarf. You can also cover your hair with a hat, but look for one made from cotton that will reduce the problem of flyaway hair caused by static electricity.
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