Although the winter is long behind us, its effects on our skin and hair, unfortunately, are still left to be solved. The harsh weather conditions, drastic temperature changes between outdoor and indoor air, the drying effect of indoor heating, and continuous wearing of hats – all of this can leave our hair dry, lifeless, and brittle.
But, before you jump to overspending on dozens of different hair care products and routines, you need to understand the pain your hair was going through during winter. This way you’ll know exactly how to provide help and bring back your hair its natural shine and vitality.
Lack of moisture
The dry cold air was robbing your hair of moisture for months. So, don’t be surprised if you struggle with split ends, increased frizz, and an overall unflattering hair appearance.
One of the crucial factors for keeping our hair healthy, moisturized, and hydrated is the sebum that creates a protective lipid barrier. However, the cold weather disrupts the function of the sebaceous glands and the hair’s natural oils decrease which leads to moisture loss.
Static electricity
Cold weather often lowers humidity which combined with the loss of sebum, makes it hard for the hair to absorb water from the surroundings. This leads to increased static electricity, i.e. the well-known winter frizz which not only affects the look of the hair but can also increase tangling and breakage.
Sensitive scalp
The scalp is the foundation of healthy hair (both literally and metaphorically). Its microbiome helps keep a healthy environment for hair follicles which is usually disrupted due to winter weather conditions raising issues such as itchiness, dryness, and dandruff.
Increased breakage
If you consider the previous issues, it’s pretty clear why we all suffer from increased hair breakage and split ends during the winter months. Cold and dry air, combined with the hot and dry air from indoor heating leaves our hair lifeless and brittle.
The low temperatures also cause changes in the structure of keratin – the protein that plays an essential role in keeping the hair strong and elastic. On top of everything, trying to keep ourselves warm we use hats and scarves daily which cause friction with our hair and weaken the hair cuticles.
So, how to help your hair rejuvenate after the harsh winter conditions?
First, don’t stress (it also ruins your hair).
The hair will start recovering by itself, but there are some things you can do to speed up the process and avoid the risk of not having stunning hair this spring.
1. Embrace conditioning treatments
As you can probably guess, you’ll need to bring back the hydration and moisture to your hair and scalp, meaning you’ll have to integrate some conditioning treatments into your hair routine. Look for quality products containing nutritional ingredients such as keratin, argan oil, shea butter, and similar hair-loving goodies. Just be careful in your choice because the last thing you need are harsh and chemical-infused products that will open new wounds to your already exhausted hair.
This is a good time to invest some time and resources to locate the right treatment for you. The safest choice is to look for some salon quality hair products deals and get yourself carefully formulated hair-savers. Professional products may cost a little more, but they also last longer because they are more concentrated with much better ingredients, so you’ll need to use a lot less of them. You’ll also see faster and better results that will leave a lasting impact on your hair.
2. Take it easy on the washing
Overwashing your hair has a counter-effect on your hair’s health. It strips away the natural scalp oils, taking you a few steps back on your way to recovery. Give your hair some time between washes to reach balance.
Then, give your hair that conditioning treatment we were talking about and nourish it with a hair mask or a leave-in conditioner and everything else that you found appropriate for your hair condition to bring back the hydration and elasticity.
3. Detangle gently
No matter how much hurry you are in, always treat your hair with care. Try not to detangle it while it’s still wet, but if you must, use a wide-tooth comb or a soft-bristle brush, start at the ends and slowly work your way up. Wet hair is easier to break.
4. Avoid heat styling
As extreme cold temperatures ruin your hair health, so does the heat. Hold back on excessive use of hot hairstyling tools and try some natural hairstyles. If that doesn’t make you happy, at least apply heat protectants before you start curling or straightening your hair.
5. Keep yourself hydrated
Outside hydration won’t help you much if your body is dehydrated. Drink water in adequate amounts to help your hair shine. It is the key supporter of vitamins that support your hair growth. Water also triggers the energy from the scalp to the hair’s end.
