Hair care: 9 things you can do to prevent winter hair damage

If you live in an area with winter weather, you’re probably familiar with the damage your hair takes. Cold weather outside combined with dry indoor temperatures can wreak havoc on your hair strands, leading to split ends and breakage. Just like skin, hair needs protection from the cold to stay soft and healthy. To have beautiful hair all year round, you should take some precautions throughout the year.

Here are 9 winter hair care tips to keep your hair in shape – even when it’s cold outside:

1. Line your winter hat with silk or satin to prevent split ends.

To shield our hair from dry air, snow, wind, and rain that rob us of moisture, we need a hat to protect our hair. These factors dry out the hair, making it more prone to breakage.

Wool, cotton, and other coarse fabrics can cause split ends and breakage, so be sure to line your hat with silk or satin to prevent damage. If you have naturally curly hair, apply an oil-based moisturizer before wearing a hat. The dry oil is weightless and contains natural oils that moisturize the hair, giving it a shiny look.

2. Buy a humidifier.

An effective and easy way to combat dry hair in the winter is by using a humidifier. Because indoor heating causes the indoor air to become very dry, leaving the hair without moisture leading to dry and brittle hair. A humidifier helps rehydrate the air to keep your locks looking shiny and smooth.

3. Regularly cut your hair

And getting a haircut every four to eight weeks is also a good way to maintain hair health and keep your curls looking fresh and vibrant. Trim the ends of your hair to reduce the risk of dry and split ends.

4. Avoid heat styling.

All that dryness leads to split ends and breakage. Blow-drying will draw moisture out of your hair, increasing the risk of breakage. Air-drying is best. Blow-drying without heat makes hair shiny and healthy. If you don’t have time, try washing your hair at night and letting it dry naturally overnight.

Heat styling amplifies the problem and draws moisture right into your strands. Do not straighten or curl your hair in winter. Also, try protective styles, such as braids, buns, twists, and ponytails to give your hair time to rest in the heating routine.

5. Don’t leave the house with wet hair.

While the most important time is in the morning, it’s important to dry your hair thoroughly before diving into the cold. Walking outdoors in the winter with a wet head can cause hair to freeze and break.

6. Use an oil-based moisturizer.

Dry air is not good for any hair type. The only way to combat it: replenish moisture with an oil-based moisturizer. This will do an instant restore to dry and damaged hair. Regularly use hair conditioner to help replenish moisture and protect hair from damage

7. Use leave-in conditioner to combat static

Thin, floating fibers are common during winter and are a major sign of dry skin. Use a weekly conditioner to replenish moisture and combat the effects of hot styling tools, indoor heating, and cold winter winds. Make sure your hair is moisturized with regular conditioner, then condition your hair with conditioner

8. Commit to a weekly hair mask.

Just as a weekly mask is essential for healthy skin, a weekly hair mask can make a dramatic difference to dry and damaged hair. They can reverse the effects of dryness while ensuring your hair is protected at its optimum year-round. Hair masks are quick and easy to use. They contain a lot of hair health benefits and are effective in less than 20 minutes. Hair masks provide benefits such as softening, moisturizing and adding shine.

9. Avoid frequent shampooing.

If you’ve always been washing your hair regularly, it’s time to change things up. Washing your hair too much will strip your hair of its natural oils that keep it moisturized and protected. This is especially bad in the winter when these oils are essential. Try to extend the time between washes as much as possible. If you find your hair is still very dry, try it every two days.

Another way to help prolong the time between washes is to use dry shampoo. Dry shampoo opens up the hair shaft and gives life to your hairstyle. It will also keep your hair smelling good and looking fresh. You should also consider diet and stress management as good solutions to scalp concerns.

Follow these tips and with a little effort, you can keep your hair hydrated and looking great this winter. For more hair care tips, click here