Click to View Latest IssueClick to View Latest Issue

Healthy Hair for the Winter Months

By  0 Comments

We are all aware of how the dry, cold winter months affect our skin, but there’s also something else we should be paying attention to: our hair.

During summer, we go to special trouble to defend hair from constant sun and chlorine exposure; we even use products to protect hair from the constant use of heat styling tools. The winter has a huge impact on the hair health, from the lack of humidity and cold wind to the static electricity that always seems to plague us when we least expect it.

Your hair could use some extra love and attention when the temperatures drop. Implement some of these suggestions into your daily routine to protect your hair and keep it healthy and shiny all year long!

Don’t forget to stay hydrated.
Hydration is key for optimal health. Your body functions much better when it’s amply quenched, and you can definitely start to tell a difference in your skin when you haven’t consumed much water. It turns out that hydration is also essential for hair health! Drinking enough water nourishes the scalp, which will help promote healthy hair growth and keep the skin from flaking or feeling tight. Scalp health is vital, as it provides ample nutrients and hydration to hair follicles that’s even more important during dry winter months.

Cut back on washing.
Unless you really need to wash your hair daily, don’t. Washing frequently reduces the amount of natural oil and moisture on your scalp, which in turn increases dryness and can leave your hair looking a bit lackluster. Hair stylists recommend washing the hair no more than twice weekly; once a week during winter months is even better. Do you need a way to keep hair fresh, especially if you’re frequently at the gym? Use a dry shampoo on days you don’t wash; these products absorb excess oil and leave hair looking and smelling clean. The natural oils on your scalp will nourish hair, leaving it soft and shiny all winter long.

Give your scalp a little TLC.
You love to add moisturizer to your hair after washing, but have you thought about massaging a nourishing oil into the scalp before stepping into the shower? Oils are ideal to use once or twice a week as a scalp treatment to keep hair healthy. Massage warm oil into the scalp and then allow it to soak in during your shower, washing as usual. If you need an ultra-hydrating treatment, leave the scalp oil on for a few hours before rinsing away. If you don’t want to splurge on a scalp-specific oil product, a small amount of olive or coconut oil works wonders!

Turn down the water temperature.
As amazing as a hot shower on a cold winter day sounds and feels, it’s not good for the skin or scalp! Hot water zaps the skin of natural oils, leaving it feeling parched and prone to flaking. The best water temperature to shower in is warm water, which leaves the delicate scalp and skin in good health.

Protect your hair indoors and outdoors.
Low humidity levels, wind and cold temperatures leave the scalp and hair looking and feeling dry or brittle. If you’re planning to be outside, always wear a scarf or hat to keep the scalp protected. Indoors, humidity levels also play a role in the look and feel of your hair. Use a humidifier in your home or workspace to put moisture back into the air and keep the skin and hair from drying out.

Avoid products that create static electricity.
There’s nothing more annoying than having hair go haywire because of static. While it’s not always avoidable if you’re wearing a scarf, knit hat or sweater, there are a few ways to combat that cling. Use a hair brush that’s vented and comes with boar and plastic bristles, and even spray a leave-in conditioner each morning for added hydration and to protect against potential static. If you need a little taming after coming from outside, a dryer sheet is a quick and easy solution for static electricity caused by wearing a knit cap or scarf; simply run the dryer sheet over your hair and it should take care of that excess cling!

Create your own scalp and hair treatment.
Once a week, nourish with antioxidants that improve the quality of scalp skin and hair. Raw honey makes a great deep-conditioning treatment, as does coconut oil. Honey is considered a humectant, which means it locks in moisture while also enhancing shine. Massage it into the hair and scalp, cover with a shower cap, and then shampoo it away after 30 minutes.

Take care of your hair and scalp during winter to reveal healthy, bouncy hair all spring and summer long! ■

Sources: stylecraze.com, self.com and elle.com.