Preparing Hair for Cold Weather

Colder months are often associated with seeking warmth, whether that’s a woolen hat for your head, a sizzling hot shower, or an indoor heating system set to high. But all of these factors can have negative effects on your beautiful locks. 

Just like the cold air and freezing temperatures can cause your skin to dry out and become flaky if not moisturized properly. The same is true for your hair. 

Keep reading for a deep dive into the best hair care tips for cold weather and how to implement them into your hair routine. 

Cut Down on Your Number of Washes

While summer months may make you prone to sweating more than usual and needing frequent hair washes, try to do the opposite during the winter and cut back on how many times a week you wash your hair. 

Constant hair washing strips your hair of protective and hydrating oils, making it feel more brittle and dry. Add in the cold weather outside, and your hair is zapped of its moisture. 

Try to only wash your hair two or three times a week. You can use dry shampoo to take care of oily roots in between washes. 

Add Moisture to Your Hair with Hair Oil

A dry winter scalp calls for some extra moisture, and a great hair oil can do just the trick. 

Adding a couple of drops of hair oil into your daily winter hair routine makes all the difference. Hair oils help lock in moisture and strengthen your hair strands, leading to fewer split ends and shinier locks. 

If you’re looking for a way to reduce winter breakage and pack your hair follicles with healthy vitamins, try an acai hair oil. 

Protect Your Hair from Static

Hair static can be an annoying side effect of keeping your head warm during the colder months. You throw on a hat to protect your hair before braving the freezing temperatures, only to find that your hair is sticking straight up after you take that hat off!

To prevent this from happening, there are a few ways you can combat hair static. Certain brushes are designed to untangle your hair while avoiding static, and you can also find anti-frizz hair wipes that may fix the problem too.

An easy simple fix is a laundry dryer sheet. Gently rub one of those on your static flyaways, and your wild hairdo should turn into a sleek and tame one. 

Avoid Using Heat Tools

You may have heard that heat tools can damage your hair if not used properly, even in the warmer months. But when you use heat tools like curling irons or flat irons on your hair in the winter when it’s already lacking in moisture and strength, it can make matters even worse.

Instead of blow drying or styling your hair every day, try to opt for heatless styling options. Let your hair naturally air dry and test out other ways of adding texture, such as twisted curls. 

While avoiding heat tools may make your hair routine take longer in the short term, you’ll save your hair from becoming damaged, brittle, and even breaking. 

Choose Silk Over Other Materials

When you think of winter, you probably think of wool or thick cotton. These materials may keep your body warm, but they aren’t the best for keeping your hair healthy. 

Putting on a wool hat or scarf often leads to your hair dealing with static or breakage. To stay warm while also protecting your hair, consider wrapping your hair in silk before putting on a wool hat. The silk does wonders for hair that tangles often, and it won’t lead to split ends or other damage.

Switching out your cotton pillowcase for a silk one is a great winter (and year-round!) fix too. 

Dry Your Hair Before Going Outside

Has a parent or guardian ever warned you about the dangers of going outside in winter with wet hair? While doctors generally claim it is unlikely to make you sick, subjecting your wet hair to cold air can result in significant damage to your beautiful locks.

Exposing your wet hair to extremely low temperatures causes it to expand and makes it susceptible to environmental damage, which can wreak havoc on your hair cuticles. While putting a hat on before rushing out the door helps, it’s best to let your hair completely dry before leaving the house if possible.

Use a Deep Conditioner

Repair your dry, damaged winter hair with the help of a nutrient-rich hair treatment like a deep conditioner or hair mask. 

Conditioners will pack your hair with all the healthy vitamins and minerals it needs to keep in moisture and keep frizz at bay. Hair masks and deep conditioners have so many benefits, from softer locks to boosted hair growth. 

Be sure to follow the instructions and keep the conditioner or mask on for the recommended amount of time so it works properly. Weekly deep-conditioning hair treatment can make all the difference during the winter. 

Shower Using a Lower Water Temperature

If you’ve ever wasted time standing in a scalding hot shower just to help your body feel warm during the winter, you’re not alone. While this action may feel great in the moment, it’s actually pretty terrible for your hair.

Super hot water sucks up all the moisture in your hair, leaving your strands to feel extra dry after getting back into those cold temps. Instead of steaming up the bathroom due to the heat, try using a more moderate temperature on your hair and sealing it with a dose of cold water at the end to help lock in moisture. 

Hair Care: Your Complete Winter Guide

Cold weather doesn’t have to lead to brittle and dry hair. With the right maintenance and hair care routine, you can keep your hair silky and shiny all winter long. 

Visit our site to find more helpful hair care articles, as well as professional products that will keep your hair in great condition, no matter the season.