Winter is the best time to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, a woolen blanket, and a fire. While you are having the time of your life, your hair may not be! By following the winter hair care guidelines, you can prevent your hair from becoming brittle and prone to breakage.

Your scalp can become dry and flaky, and your hair can become rough and brittle. Our hair needs to be protected from the winter cold just as we do our bodies. Keep your hair smooth, hydrated, and strong despite the freezing temperatures.

Use Hair Oil to Moisturize your Scalp

Due to the dry air, your scalp becomes itchy and dry during winter. This can lead to dandruff and scalp irritation. It may also cause hair loss. Coconut and olive oil hair oils work wonders when used in a hot oil massage. These oils penetrate the hair shaft, keeping the hair moist ( 1). Massage increases blood flow to the scalp, nourishing the hair follicles and stimulating hair growth.

Doro Cubillo is a YouTuber who shared her winter hair care routine. She focused on issues such as hair growth, hair fall, and greasiness in the colder months. The routine starts with a scalp massaging to help absorb the hydrating oils. She explains, “During the winter, our hair is very sensitive… So when it comes to my winter hair routine, wash day is extremely important because this is when I do a great deal of stimulation for my hair. …. Before washing my hair, I do a pre-wash oil treatment. This will help moisturize the scalp while maintaining hair growth.

Avoid Frequent Hair Washes

Washing your Hair with Shampoos Frequently strips the natural oils from hair, causing it to become dry and irritated. Extend the time between washes. Avoid shampooing your hair more often than twice per week. Use a mild, sulfate-free shampoo to keep the natural moisture balance.

How To Care For Your Hair?

Always use conditioner in winter. For deep hydration, use a creamy, thick conditioner that contains natural oils such as coconut, olive, jojoba oil, or shea butter.

Wash your hair, and then rinse it thoroughly.

Apply conditioner to hair from mid-lengths to ends.

Focus on the ends of your hair to avoid split ends and dryness.

After a few moments, wash the hair with regular water.

Use normal water at the end to seal in moisture and prevent frizz.

Avoid Heat Styling Tools

Heat styling tools can cause hair to become brittle and breakable ( 3). Air-dry your hair as much as you can. Avoid using blow dryers, as they remove moisture from your hair.

Quick Tip: Experiment with different hairstyles like updos, twists, and braids to easily avoid using heat-styling tools.

Weekly Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Hair masks are a great way to maintain your hair’s health. Dr. Michael May, MD, a hair transplant surgeon, says that the cold winter air dries the hair out much more quickly. You must, therefore, deep condition your hair much more frequently than normal. It will help to replenish moisture in your hair and on your scalp. These leave-in conditioners also provide additional protection against dryness. A hair mask containing nourishing and moisturizing components like egg and honey will condition the hair. These ingredients soften and moisturize hair, increase hair growth, and add shine. The water-soluble peptides in egg yolk condition and promote hair growth ( 4). Honey contains amino acids and vitamins and has conditioning properties ( 5). Follow up with a hair serum or oil for overnight hydration.

Do not step out with wet hair.

Cold air can cause hair to expand, causing them to be more prone to breakage and color fade. Dry your hair thoroughly before going out in the sun. Allow your hair to air-dry for an extra 15 minutes, or modify your winter haircare routine.

Cover Your Hair

When exposed to cold, dry winds and snow, your hair becomes stressed. Cover it with a hat or scarf. To prevent friction, you can line your hats with satin or silk cloth. Use a dry oil to combat static and control flyaways.

Protect hair from static.

Winter is the worst time for static hair. Lack of moisture combined with friction from sweaters, scarves, hair, dies, and hair brushes can cause your hair to become stagnant and frizzy. Use a vented brush with boar and nylon bristles to handle this problem. Use a leave-in hair conditioner to keep hair from becoming frizzy due to static electricity. Carry anti-static hair wipes or laundry dryer sheets to prevent static electricity.

Avoid Hot Showers

It is tempting to take a hot shower when the weather is freezing. Hot water can dry out your hair by removing the natural oils. This can also cause the scalp to become flaky and dry. Wash your hair using lukewarm and cold water. This will help seal hair cuticles.

Switch to Microfiber Towels

Use microfiber towels instead of cotton towels to dry hair. Use microfiber towels instead. These towels are gentler on hair and have a high water absorption capacity. They also reduce friction, which can lead to a longer drying time. Cotton or other materials can cause your hair to be rough, tangle, and have flyaways.

Regular Trims

The dry, cold winter air causes split ends and hair breaks. The friction from scarves and hats can cause additional stress on your hair. Trim your hair four to eight times a week to prevent this. It will keep your hair looking new in winter. Trim the ends of your hair by half an inch to get rid of split and dry ends.

Eat Healthy To Keep Your Hair Healthy

Hair health is improved by eating foods rich in proteins. All essential vitamin-rich foods, such as carrots, eggs, and pumpkins, are good for your hair. To keep your hair and body healthy, eat a diet rich in vegetables, leafy greens, dairy, omega-3 fats, and meat.

Buy A Humidifier

Winter can be a time when sudden temperature changes can strip your hair of moisture. The room heater will provide warmth as the temperature drops but can also dry out the air in your room and damage your hair. Humidifiers can help maintain the right moisture level in the room and prevent hair from becoming dry.

Infographic: Simple Winter Haircare Tips

Winter’s cold, dry air can be harsh on hair. It can make it look dull, dry, and more prone to damage. Fret not. Even in the most brutal winter, your hair can remain healthy and beautiful with the right care. The infographic below contains five winter hair care tips that you must know.