8 Pro Tips To Manage Winter Hair
Winter changes your hair, the cold weather alters the condition of the hair as well as changing the bounce, vibrancy, shine, and tone of your hair color while leaving your hair with that dried out feeling. This same thing also happens when you change locations and the mineral levels in the water change. In both cases you will need to change what you do for your hair to keep it, and you, looking your best.
In northern parts of the United States, winter weather becomes increasingly colder and dryer. Some southern states become damper and others in the southwest go from extremely low humidity to moisture levels akin to summer in other areas. Changing weather conditions means changing needs for your hair; when the weather changes, you should be changing your hair care regiment.
Winter also means that we turn on the heat and, as a result, reduce the moisture level of the air in our cars, our homes and our places of business. This sudden moisture level change between inside and outside can give you and your hair fits resulting in more frizz, more fly-away hair and increased hair static, and can even cause a flaking, itching, dry, irritated scalp condition referred to as Dandruff / Eczema.
If you perm, straighten or color your hair, it is more porous than natural, untreated hair because the outside cuticle layer has been opened by the chemical processing. This makes your hair even more vulnerable to the new dryer changes in the air.
To look your best and keep your color looking fresh, healthy & vibrant you need to maintain your hair's best moisture balance by:
1. One very simple tip is to wear a hat when out as it keeps your hair covered from the wind, rain and snow. But as we all know, no woman wants the “dreaded hat hair.” A great way to avoid this is to wrap your hair in a silk scarf before putting on your cozy, wool beanie. This helps to protect your hair from damage caused by the hat rubbing against your hair and it also cuts down on the static.
Another great way to combat static is to use a good heat styling product for blow drying such as the ID Hair 911 Spray. This can also be used on dry hair before using a curling iron or flat iron.
2. During the winter months, it’s a great idea to treat your hair once a week to a deep conditioning treatment. This will help to replenish the moisture, which tends to get depleted from things such as the dry heat in your apartment and the cold winter air. I recommend something like the ID Hair Healing Mask or Niophlex 3. These products are quick and easy ways to lock moisture back into your hair.
An alternative is to use a hair oil like Id Hair Golden Nourishing Hair Oil after you’ve shampooed your hair. It’s like liquid gold for dehydrated or color-treated hair! This can be used on wet hair to blow-dry in or as a smoother and shine oil on dry hair.
3. I also find if you can keep washing your hair to a minimum, say two to three times a week, this will prevent your hair from drying out too much. And always make sure you dry your hair before leaving the house. Not only because you will get a cold, but the moisture in your hair combined with the cold air, will add further damage to your hair by making it more brittle and dry.
4. Regular trims are a great way to keep your hair in good health during the winter months as well — every six to eight weeks, just get a light dusting off the ends to help reduce the chance of dry, splitting ends.
5. One unexpected secret to keep your hair looking good in the winter is to invest in a humidifier. I know you’re thinking that humidity equals frizzy hair, but when you have the heat on, the air in your home becomes very dry and I find the humidifier helps stop your hair and skin from feeling dry.
6. Avoid hot showers It's tempting to turn your shower up to full blast when it's freezing outside, but this can damage your scalp – and your skin, by stripping it of moisture. Instead, keep showers and baths to ten minutes and make sure the water is mid-to-lukewarm.
7. Drink more water: It sounds simple yet true, one must stay hydrated especially when it is cold and dry outside. By drinking plenty of water your skin will plump and supple and in turn your hair follicles will be well nourished. I like to think of water as natures best beauty elixir.
8. Stay Away from Toxic Products: Hair care products that contain silicones, resins and plastics are ingredients that only coat the hair. Over time, they increase hair dryness and breakage.
There you have it my professional advice to keep your hair healthy in Winter.
