13 Top Winter Hair Care Tips For Healthy Locks

Expert advice on keeping your hair protected from brutally cold weather conditions.

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Shruti Chavan, MBBS
August 23, 2022 By Arshiya Syeda

13 Top Winter Hair Care Tips For Healthy Locks

Sitting by the fire with a hot cup of cocoa and covered by a warm wooly blanket – there is nothing like winter. But while you may be having the best time of your life, your hair is not! With the right winter hair care tips, you can protect your hair from becoming fragile and breakage-prone.

The cold can make your scalp dry and flaky and your hair rough and brittle! Just like we protect our bodies from the cold, our hair also needs protection during the winter. So, keep your hair strong, smooth, and hydrated despite the chilling temperature. Scroll down to read our hair care tips that will keep your hair and scalp as joyful as you are this winter!

In This Article

Hair Care Tips For Winter

1. Moisturize Your Scalp With Hair Oil

During winter, your scalp gets dry and itchy due to the lack of moisture in the air. This may lead to dandruff, scalp irritation, and flakiness, causing hair fall. A hot oil massage with nourishing hair oils like coconut and olive oils works wonders. These oils penetrate the hair shaft and keep the hair moisturized (1). Massage improves blood circulation to the scalp and nourishes the hair follicles, stimulating hair growth.

2. Avoid Frequent Hair Washes

Frequently washing your hair with shampoos strips off its natural oils, causing further dryness and irritation. Try to extend the time between your washes. Do not shampoo your hair more than twice a week. Always use a sulfate-free and mild shampoo to maintain the natural moisture balance.

3. Conditioning The Hair In Right Way

Never skip the conditioner during winter. Use a thick, creamy conditioner containing natural oils like coconut, olive, jojoba oils, and shea butter for deep hydration and nourishment.

How To Use A Conditioner

Shampoo your hair and rinse it thoroughly.
Apply the conditioner from the mid-length to the hair ends.
Concentrate on the ends to prevent dryness and split ends.
Leave the conditioner on for a few minutes and then wash with normal water.

You may end with normal water to seal the moisture and prevent frizz (2).

4. Avoid Heat Styling Tools

Your hair is already delicate during winter, and using heat styling tools can make it brittle, causing hair breakage (3). Embrace your natural hair texture and air dry your tresses as much as possible. Avoid blow drying as it draws moisture out of your hair.

5. Apply A Deep Conditioning Hair Mask Weekly

Weekly hair mask treatments are an excellent preventative measure to ensure your overall hair health. A hair mask with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients like egg and honey conditions the hair. These ingredients moisturize dry locks, enhance hair growth, add shine, and soften the hair. Egg yolk has water-soluble peptides that condition and stimulates hair growth (4). Honey is rich in amino acids and vitamins and has hair conditioning effects (5). You can follow it up with hair oil or serum for overnight hydration.

6. Don’t Step Out With Wet Hair

Cold air expands the hair shafts, making them prone to breakage, and may cause color fading. Always dry your hair before you step out into the sun. Give your hair extra time to air dry, or better yet, modify your winter hair care routine accordingly.

7. Cover Your Hair

Your hair gets stressed when it is exposed to the cold and dry wind and snow. Keep it covered with a scarf or a hat. You can line your hat with silk or satin cloth to prevent friction from the cotton and woolen materials. You can also use a dry oil spray to fight static and tame flyaways.

8. Protect Hair From Static

Static hair is the most annoying thing in the winter. Lack of moisture, combined with the friction caused by sweaters, scarves, hoodies, and hair brushes, makes your hair frizzy and static. To handle this situation, use a vented hairbrush with a combination of boar and plastic bristles. Apply a leave-in conditioner to prevent static and keep the hair smooth. You can also carry an anti-static laundry dryer sheet or anti-frizz hair wipes with you.

9. Avoid Hot Showers

A hot water shower in the freezing weather is always tempting. But hot water can remove the natural oils and moisture from your hair, making it dry. It may also make the scalp dry and cause flakiness. Always wash your hair with lukewarm water and blast with cold water at the ends to help seal the hair cuticles.

10. Switch To Microfiber Towels

Avoid using cotton bath towels to dry your hair. Instead, use microfiber towels. They are gentle on your hair, have high water absorbing capacity, and help reduce friction and hair drying time. On the other hand, cotton or any other material can make your hair rough and create tangles, frizz, and flyaways.

11. Get Regular Trims

The dry and cold air in the winter causes hair breakage and split ends. Friction from hats and scarves puts additional strain on your hair. To prevent this, trim your hair every four to eight weeks. This keeps your hair looking fresh in the winter. Trim your hair half an inch off the bottom to remove dry, split ends.

12. Eat Healthy To Keep Your Hair Healthy

Foods rich in protein are beneficial for hair health. Increase your intake of all essential vitamin-rich foods like carrots, eggs, pumpkins, and berries. Follow a balanced diet that combines vegetables, leafy greens, dairy products, omega-3 fatty acids, and meat to keep your body and hair healthy.

Pro Tip: Stay hydrated as water is essential to keep your body healthy and replenished.

13. Get A Humidifier

The sudden transition in temperatures can zap moisture from your tresses during winter. A room heater can provide warmth when the temperature drops, but it also dries the air inside your room, damaging your hair. Humidifiers help balance the moisture levels inside the room to prevent dryness.

Just like the cold affects the skin on your body, it also affects your hair and scalp. It could lead to scalp dryness and flaking and make your hair dry, rough, and brittle. But a little care can go a long way in revitalizing, fortifying, and replenishing your locks. Adding a few of the recommended tips mentioned above, such as moisturizing your hair with oil, can keep your hair hydrated and healthy. Some other tips include covering your locks and steering clear of hot showers. These winter hair care tips are easy to follow and leave your hair looking smooth and beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does hair grow thicker in winter?

No, hair does not grow thicker or quicker in winter.

Should I cut my hair for winter?

Yes, cutting your hair for winter can make it easier to maintain.

Can onion juice be used in the winter season?

Yes, using onion juice in the winter season may help improve hair health and control hair fall.

Key Takeaways

Protect your hair and scalp from winter damage with a few care tips like massaging the scalp with hot oil and more.
Another important tip to keeping your hair healthy is to eat a balanced and nutrient-rich diet.
Don’t be rough with your hair. Make sure you use nourishing hair products.

Sources

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