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Want to know how to have healthy and strong locks in the winter season? Here are 6 winter hair care tips.
In this article:
Ahh, winter season. The time when you would just like to chill at home with a hot cup of tea underneath your soft blanket. Your skin gets dry, you can’t seem to keep your hands warm and of course, your hair is difficult to manage.
Just like we protect our body from the cold we need to protect our hair too. All we want is to keep our hair strong, soft, and luscious in chilly weather. Scroll down to know the best winter hair care tips to show your hair some love.
This post is all about the best hair hacks for winter you must know.
Hair care tips for winter
1. Brush your hair gently
When it comes to brushing your hair you should be careful in any season. In the winter months tough you should pay special attention to how you brush your hair.
During this time of the year, your hair is drier than normal so it’s more prone to breakage. This is the case especially if you have wet hair. When your hair is wet it is the most vulnerable, so if you have straight hair avoid brushing them while wet altogether.
I find that using a large tooth comb is the best way to brush my hair or at least the way that causes less breakage. You can get them for really cheap on amazon for example.
Another tip is to brush your hair from the bottom up. Essentially brush your hair starting from your ends, when you detangled them well, go up until you reach your roots. This is the best way to avoid breakage.
2. Show your scalp some love
Since your hair is going to be drier than normal in the winter season you can do nourishing scalp treatments to keep it moisturized and healthy. For example, oiling your scalp once a week not only will keep your hair hydrated but can also promote hair growth. Take a look at this post if you want to know how to do it and what oils are best.
Your scalp could also be flaky in the winter. To avoid that dandruff-looking appearance you could try a scalp scrub. I really like OUAI St. Barts Cleansing Scalp & Body Sugar Scrub and BondiBoost Detox Salt Scrub for Dry & Flaky Scalp. If you want a milder option you could try a scalp scrub shampoo such as Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Micro-exfoliating Scalp Scrub Shampoo. If you use it as your regular shampoo this could be kind of pricy though.
Overall the best way I found to avoid a flaky scalp in the winter is glycolic acid. Once or twice a week I treat my scalp by massaging it with glycolic acid. I personally use The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toning Solution but also The INKEY List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Scalp Scrub is really good. Plus they are both affordable.
3. Avoid tight hairstyles
I know the sleek-model-off-duty-bun is super in grand right now. Also, I love it because I can go out with hair oils in my hair while still looking extra cute but it is not good for your hair. If you have to pull your hair a lot to create a hairstyle try to avoid it or at least don’t do it regularly. You could always try a more relaxed low bun for example.
Try to not use regular ties. Instead go for a silk one, a scrunchie, or even better a silk scrunchie. You can purchase them from Sephora or Amazon for example.
4. Static electricity
This phenomenon is caused when moisture can’t penetrate your hair strands. It’s due to the much drier air in winter as well as the build-up of substances like silicone and other hair products that can change the composition of your hair. To avoid the build-up you can use a clarifying shampoo once a month.
Essentially when you go out in the winter season, if the air is too dry (like it is in colder months) the static stays on your hair strands and the molecular charges repel your strands away from each other causing frizz.
To avoid that your best ally is moisture. In the colder months, you need to use more hydrating products on your hair. For example, make sure to use a nourishing mask once a week or more.
5. Healthy diet
We all know that what we eat reflects on our body’s health. Naturally then, since our hair is part of our body it also will be affected by our diet. Generally, a balanced and healthy diet will do the trick but there are specific foods that can help your hair in different ways. You can find more about them in this post:
>> Related post: 5 Best Hair Growth Tips (That actually work!)
6. Condition your hair properly
As we discussed before keeping your hair hydrated during the cold months is key. This is why you should never skip conditioner if anything you should favor thick, creamy conditioners containing natural oils like coconut, olive, jojoba oils, and shea butter for deep hydration and nourishment.
This is the best way to condition your hair
- Use your regular shampoo only on your roots and rinse it out
- Apply conditioner to your length and especially your ends (avoid roots)
- Wait the proper amount of time (check the bottle)
- Rinse your hair preferably with cold water for added shine
Frequently asked questions
Should I cut my hair for winter?
Yes, a regular trim is always good. Plus it will make your hair more manageable.
How often should I wash my hair in the winter?
How often you wash should depend on how much oil your scalp produces. I suggest you don’t overdo it, especially in the winter season tough.
Does hair grow thicker in winter?
No, on average hair tends to grow between 0.2 and 0.7 inches (0.5 – 1.7 cm) per month.
Key takeaways
- In winter your hair is more prone to breakage so brush it gently and make sure is super hydrated with masks and using conditioner the right way.
- Make sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet since it will reflect on your hair health.
- Try to avoid anything that can lead to breakage like tight hairstyles.
