A lot of things can damage your hair; using too much heat, using the wrong products, or not using any products at all are all things that can take a toll on those beautiful locks you’ve worked so hard to maintain. One thing many people don’t think about is how the change of weather affects hair health, and the winter months can be some of the roughest on your hair if you aren’t prepared to care for it properly.
How to Care for Hair in Winter
Before you can be an expert on hair care during the winter months, you must understand what the cold weather can do to your hair. Winter means cold temperatures outside and dry heat inside. This combination is no friend to your scalp or your strands. It can lead to split ends and leave hair prone to breakage, neither of which you want if you’re trying to grow healthy, long, gorgeous looking hair.
What to Do at Home
You can do several things and take precautions in the winter to have a fabulous mane all year long.
Shampoo Less Often
Washing your hair as little as possible in the winter will help with dry, flaky scalp. Overwashing your hair will strip it of the natural oils that keep it moisturized and protected, something that is even more important during the winter months. You can use dry shampoo between washes to keep your hair smelling good and looking volumized and fresh.
Use a Leave-In Conditioner to Help With Static
Flyaways are common in the winter due to dryness. Making sure your hair is hydrated and locking that moisture in with a leave-in conditioner will help combat this static.
Avoid Overstyling; Cut Down on Heat
Embrace your natural hair and try to avoid blow-drying, straightening, and curling as much as possible. The heat will just damage your hair even more, and you want to protect your hair during winter weather, when your strands are more fragile than usual.
Never Go Outside With Wet Hair
Anything that is cold contracts, and that’s what can happen with your wet hair shaft during the winter. When hair freezes, it puts you at risk for breakage and makes color fade faster. Take the time to let your hair dry before exposing it to the cold; your salon bill will thank you later.
Find Ways to Hydrate Your Hair
Since the cold air dries out your hair, it’s best to find ways to hydrate with products during the winter. You can hydrate your hair overnight with natural oil or serum. If you suffer from dandruff due to dry, flaky scalp during the winter, apply a heavier treatment like coconut oil or castor oil directly to your scalp. Let the oil sit for 20 to 30 minutes to moisturize the scalp, and then wash your hair as usual.
Be Wary of Hair Accessories
Wool, cotton, and other coarse fabrics can damage your hair. They cause split ends and breakage. In the winter, consider using a silk scarf or satin to line any wool, acrylic, or cotton hats so your hair can stay protected.
Hair Care During Winter: Working With Your Stylist
When it comes to keeping your hair healthy during the colder months, you aren’t alone. Your stylist is your best friend during this time. They are there not only to style, cut, and color your hair, but to give you expert advice on how to keep your hair healthy. Licensed cosmetologists are the most knowledgeable people when it comes to hair care.
Cut Back on the Blonde
When going in for a color treatment, try to avoid asking your stylist for blonde. Leave the blonde shades for the summer and embrace darker colors in the winter. Not only are dark colors popular for winter, but the more you can limit bleaching, the better, as this process is notorious for stripping moisture.
Ask for Take-Home Products
Salons carry high-end brands that do nothing but help your hair, and stylists can recommend the best ones for your specific hair type. Ask your stylist for their professional recommendation for at-home care. Stylists may recommend several products in the winter, such as:
- Hydrating Hair Masks
- Leave-In Conditioners
- Shampoos and Conditioners
- Shine Sprays
- Serums and Oils
- Oil Mists
- Heat Protectants
Other Questions to Ask Your Stylist
In addition to asking for product recommendations, you should ask your stylist several other things when it comes to caring for your hair in the winter. After all, they are the experts, and they will be able to tell you the right way to care for your hair based on your hair type and concerns. It is important to ask your stylist the following questions:
- What type of hair do I have?
- What products are best for my hair type?
- What is the current health of my hair and scalp?
- With my hair’s current health, how often should I cut and/or color?
- How often should I be washing my hair?
The more you talk with your stylist, the better off you’ll be.
Learn How to Keep Your Hair and Your Clients’ Hair Healthy Year-Round With Brillare Beauty Institute
Brillare Beauty Institute is proud to be a fully accredited beauty school in the state of Tennessee. As a cosmetology student at our school, you will learn essential skills such as coloring, cutting, styling, and how to keep your clients’ hair healthy. We give you real-world, hands-on experience in our classrooms so you are prepared to work with professional-grade products and build your book of business as soon as you get your license. Considering a career in cosmetology? For more information on what our cosmetology program looks like, contact us. Or, if you have hair concerns you’d like to discuss with our instructors and beauty professionals-in-training, book an appointment today.
