In previous blogs I have spoken about eating right and some tips on looking after your skin. Now let’s talk hair, we know that the cold of winter can cause dry skin, but hair is just as prone to damage from the winter weather. During the summer months, you may make sure to moisturize your hair to minimize the damage from the heat and sun; but during the winter months, your hair needs special care too. Cold winds, indoor heating, static electricity all can cause your hair to by dry and brittle.
So here are a few tips on how to keep your hair healthy this winter.
One very simple tip is to wear a hat when your out as it keeps your hair covered from the wind, rain and snow. It’s that simple.
A great idea is 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 house and the cold winter air.
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. Shampoo washes away dirt but it also washes away natural oil and moisturizers on your scalp. 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. On days you don’t wash your hair, rinse it with cold or warm water or use a dry shampoo to absorb some of the oils.
Use warm oil to moisturize your scalp and hair. There are hot-oil products on the market but you can also use olive oil. Warm it slightly and massage into your scalp and hair. Leave it on your hair for one to two hours and then shampoo out. Don’t worry if you don’t get every bit of the oil out of your scalp; it will continue to moisturize and condition your hair and scalp.
Use conditioner after you wash your hair. Conditioners should be applied to the ends of your hair, not rubbed into your scalp. Conditioners help moisturize your hair, keeps it looking shiny and helps prevent breakage.
Allow your hair to air dry. Air drying your hair is the healthiest way to dry your hair. Hair dryers, straighteners and curlers dry out your hair but going outside with wet hair in the winter can cause it to freeze and break. If you don’t have time for your hair to dry naturally before going out to work, use a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant before you using a blow dryer, straightener or curling iron.
And finally keep your haircut simple and maintenance free. The less you fuss over your hair, even running your fingers through your hair or combing it throughout the day, the more it can break or develop split ends. Style your hair so that once you are done, you don’t need to do anything else with it throughout the day.
I’m not expecting these few tips to change your life drastically or for them to work instantly but give it time and they may just make your hair that little bit healthier and a little bit more manageable during the next few months xxx
