Your Winter Hair Care Routine
The holiday season is right around the corner, which means low temps and dry winter hair will be too! As you bundle up with your warm coats and cozy beanies, your hair is also fighting against the elements. Extreme cold can negatively affect your locks, leading to split ends, and brittleness. Shield your strands from the cold with a hair care routine that nourishes and protects your tresses.
Taking extra care to be gentle on your hair this winter will help keep your hair healthy throughout the season.
Use these tips to help keep your hair (and hair extensions!) hydrated and protected from those harsh winter months:
Wash Your Hair Less Often
Washing hair every day can be rough on your strands during the winter. In fact, no matter the season, you shouldn’t wash your hair daily. So this winter is the perfect time to start a healthy washing routine for year-round hair health. Washing hair with shampoo strips away the natural oils that protect your locks, along with the dirt and buildup. It’s best to wash it every 2 to 3 days to retain that naturally hydrating oil, but try to extend it a bit further when it's extra cold out. To avoid more irritation to the scalp and dry hair, use a sulfate-free shampoo that will be gentler on your tresses.
Rinse Your Hair with Cold Water
This might sound counterintuitive if you think about the cold air effects on hair. But cold water actually seals the cuticles of your hair which adds smoothness and shine to your strands! Adding cold water to your hair care routine also helps to preserve your hair’s natural oils to keep your hair healthy and more manageable. Hot water and steam can make your hair more vulnerable to breakage by stripping your hair of natural oils leading to frizzy, dry hair. You can still warm yourself up in the shower with a hot shower or bath, but make sure when washing hair to switch to cold water. If the chilly temps are just too much for you, try cool to lukewarm water instead of hot water.
Don’t Go Outside with Wet Hair
Did you know hair is much more fragile when wet than dry? If temps are extremely low or it’s snowy where you live your hair’s at risk of freezing, which can lead to breakage. Always ensure your hair is fully dry before heading outside. If you don’t have the time to wait for it to air dry, you can use a blow dryer on low to medium heat to prevent damage to your already fragile tresses.
Minimize Static in Your Hair
Winter hair is more likely to have static in it because the moisture in the air isn’t as high as in the summer months. Dry air and less humidity cause your hair to pick up more electric charge in cold weather. The friction caused by the static in your hair causes the strands to repel each other, making your hair frizzy and difficult to style. Avoid adding to the problem by taking a break from heated tools and trying heatless styling techniques instead. Another way to eliminate extra static is by swapping out your plastic brushes for ones made out of natural wood or bamboo.
Use a Humidifier in Your Home
Your home is your safe place from the cold winter weather that wreaks havoc on your hair. You may also be using heaters to stay warm, leading to a dryer-than-usual environment. And as we learned earlier, dry air equals frizzy and static-ridden winter hair! Even a small humidifier in the room you spend the most time in will make a difference. It brings back that much-needed moisture to your space that your hair will appreciate.
Protect Your Hair from The Elements
You wouldn’t go outside in the freezing cold without protecting your body from the cold—so show your hair some love too! Style your hair in a protective style, such as a braid or low bun. You can also tuck longer hair into your coat. Wearing a warm hat or beanie is another option to protect your hair and scalp from the cold. Just keep in mind that synthetic fabrics can create extra static and breakage, so try to find items made of or lined with cotton, wool, or silk instead.
Add Moisture Back to Your Hair
Your winter hair needs extra TLC during colder months. Add some hydrating treatments to your hair care routine to replenish the moisture your locks are craving. Conditioning after washing hair is the first line of defense, followed by using a leave-in conditioner on days when your hair feels extra dry. You can also try some deep conditioning treatments or hair masks one to two times a week for super parched hair. Hair oils and serums are also great for sealing in moisture when your hair feels extra frizzy or dry.
Maintain a Winter Hair Care Routine for Healthy Strands
Keep your hair happy and healthy this winter season with a hair care routine that protects and hydrates your strands. It’s essential to add moisture back to your strands and keep your hair feeling and looking its best in any weather.
If you live in LA or are just visiting and in desperate need of a hair pick-me-up for the holidays, visit Anastasia K Salon. You can get long and voluminous luxury hand-tied hair using IBE or NBR extensions for a look you’ll love. Give new life to your winter hair and feel confident and empowered with gorgeous hair to go along with the cooler weather.
Request your appointment to get the hair you’ve always dreamed of!