Winter is on! The weather where you want to be curled up in bed all day everyday. While you might be looking forward to the season, your hair probably isn’t.
Colder temperatures mean more dryness, leading to dandruff, in turn causing hair breakage. Your regular shower (especially if you love hot ones) and styling regime may be doing your hair more harm than good this season. It’s time you took your hair care a notch higher. And how you do that is by following a consistent winter hair care routine with a few simple tweaks and lifestyle hacks.
Just like our skincare regimen, our hair care routine must change seasonally, too. Here are 8 simple yet easy tips that will bring back the lost shine and nourishment that your strands need.
1. Always moisturise
Your scalp tends to become dry and flaky and needs extreme nourishment during winter. Gently massage your hair and scalp with natural oils like coconut, argan, and almond oils. Try the age-old trick of slightly warming up the oil and leaving it overnight.
Oiling your hair not only ensures moisturizing, but the massage enhances blood circulation, stimulating growth. If oiling daily is tedious and feels like too much work, limit it to once a week only.
2. Don’t overwash
While you may be tempted to wash your hair just as you did during other parts of the year, remember that winter hair care routine changes with seasons. You do not want the natural oils washing off from your scalp. Try to limit your hair washes to once every week in the winter. When washing your hair, use a mild shampoo to ensure the moisture remains. Be extra gentle with your tresses as you don’t want them to break.
Pro tip: Invest in a good chemical / sulphate-free shampoo.
3. Conditioner is your best friend
Conditioning your hair is the most important part of the winter hair care routine. Never skip conditioners as they hydrate and nourish your locks deeply. When applying a conditioner, it’s best to focus on the ends as they are more vulnerable to split ends and dryness. You can leave it for a few minutes for the hair to absorb it.
Here’s a quick, easy DIY mask for deep conditioning. All you need is:
- 1 tbsp. organic honey and,
- 1-2 ripe bananas
- Mash and mix the bananas with honey
- Apply the hair mask, paying special attention to your scalp – the roots of your hair
- Leave it on for 15–20 minutes
- Wash your hair with cold water
- Make sure you use a microfiber towel to dry your hair
4. Say no to heat
Heat products aren’t what you should be having anywhere close to your hair. Heat styling your hair can leave them dehydrated, leading to more breakage and more frizz. Instead of using a blow dryer, let your hair towel/air dry naturally to ensure it stays healthy and shiny. If you think you have less time during the mornings, then try to switch to washing your hair at night.
Talking of heat and hair wash, do not take hot showers. Lukewarm water is the way to go this season. You get the drift – avoiding heat is the key. If you still do wish to style your hair, you can explore the winter hair trends that are heatless and DIY no-heat buns, twists, braids, and sleek ponytails.
5. Don’t go outdoors with wet hair
You probably know this because your mother absolutely refused to leave you with wet hair when your haircare was her department. She always knew better. Wet hair is more susceptible to damage and breakage no matter the weather, but during winter it’s much higher. Let’s put it this way, cold weather + wet hair = more frizzy hair.
Frizzy hair means you can expect more breakage and an increase in split ends. To avoid this, ensure your hair is completely air-dried before you leave home. Also, avoid combing your hair while it’s still wet. If you absolutely must, you can use a wide-toothed comb to detangle them.
6. Get regular trims
Trimming is the key to thick, luscious, and healthy-looking hair. Experts feel that trimming not only makes your hair feel healthy but also contributes to its growth. If you’re looking at growing your hair in their healthiest shape, chop off at least half an inch from the bottom to get rid of split ends.
7. Be mindful of your diet
You are what you eat, similarly, your hair is a combination of internal and external factors. It is necessary to treat the scalp from the inside by consuming enough protein and vitamin A. During winter you can take a biotin supplement to prevent the hair from becoming brittle. Vitamin A, on the other hand, aids in producing sebum, which will stop your hair from drying out further.
8. Drink up
The most underrated, yet the most important advice you’ll get this season (and all seasons) – Say yes to water! Your hair needs that extra hydration boost, even if you don’t feel the need to stay hydrated in the colder seasons. Being dehydrated can directly affect your scalp health, altering the moisture levels of your strands. It may sound like a health tip, but it’s actually a beauty tip. You’ll be amazed by the results you see in your hair just by drinking enough water.
Takeaway
Winter can be a little fierce for your hair. But this winter hair care routine along with a little extra effort, will ensure thick and hydrated hair at all times, regardless of the season. With these simple tips and tricks, a consistent routine, and a lot of tender loving care, say hello to a good hair day, every day!