3 Tips for Bringing Your Hair Out of Hibernation

Are you over how dry and frizzy your hair gets in winter? Here are 3 easy ways to make a drastic difference! Although warmer days seem just around the corner, we are still stuck in the throes of winter. And while this means more time to cozy up by the fireplace with hot cocoa, and show off your favorite cold-weather fashions, it also means another month of winter hair problems: static, split ends, hat hair and itchy scalp. Just as you should change up which skincare products you use in winter, your hair care routine also requires a little something extra. Between forced heating, dry air, and generally harsh weather conditions, winter can wreak havoc on your hair. Taking a few extra steps can make all the difference when it comes to maintaining healthy hair throughout the icy winter months.

1.Moisturize

During the winter, it’s all about keeping your locks as moisturized as possible―this cannot be stressed enough. When temperatures drop, so do humidity levels, which means dry, possibly damaged hair, if you’re not careful. Combat split ends and brittle hair by switching to a shampoo/conditioner combo that incorporates more hydrating ingredients like coconut milk, shea & argan oil and growth stimulation like rosemary oil. Integrate a mask or other dry hair treatment into your regular routine to give that mane the moisture it’s lacking this time of year. And don’t forget about your scalp! Like the rest of your skin, your scalp is subject to drying, which can lead to itching, so don’t skip over it when winterizing your beauty ritual. You can use a bit of coconut oil from time to time to help alleviate an irritated scalp; simply massage in and leave on for ten minutes before rinsing out.

2.Be Gentle

In the colder months, your hair is much more fragile, so it’s important to treat your hair with extra TLC. Make an effort to include heat-free hairstyles in your rotation to give your delicate locks a rest from the punishing effects of hot appliances (think braids and messy buns). Consider washing your hair less frequently—two to three times a week is plenty—as shampoo can strip natural oils from your scalp and hair. In between washes, use a dry shampoo to keep those roots from looking greasy. If you simply can’t live without your lather, try switching to a conditioning cleanser without surfactants (surface acting agents). When you do wash, be kind to those vulnerable wet locks. After showering, lightly spray the ends of your hair with a leave-in conditioner to protect, and use a wide-tooth comb—not a brush!—to gently detangle.

3.Be Proactive

Making sure you have the right tools on hand can go a long way to help combat winter hair despair. If you’re still using the hair dryer you stole from your mom in high school, consider switching to a tourmaline or ionic blow dryer, which, unlike normal dryers, won’t deplete your hair’s moisture. (Another pro tip: make sure your hair is completely dry and cool before putting on your favorite beanie to avoid hat hair!) It’s also wise to invest in a silk pillowcase; cottons absorb moisture, so your current pillowcase may be robbing your hair as you sleep, not to mention harboring oils that can cause acne breakouts between linen laundry days.. Switch to silk and your hair will thank you in the morning. Lastly, you can stash a few dryer sheets in your purse and run one over your strands when you need to tame the static. Your hair picks up an electric charge from the cold, dry air, and even the most moisturized hair is prone to fly-aways. Or, try an apple cider vinegar hair rinse to keep frizz to a minimum. Until then, see you in spring, beautiful! Want to receive more helpful tips and tricks every week? Sign up for the MYSA newsletter now!