We all know what to expect once the winter months come along: colder weather, accumulating snow, shoveling out the driveway, and watching the weather reports for incoming storms. For some people, incoming winter weather might mean heading out for the slopes or trails to partake in some winter sports. For others, it might mean doing our best to remain indoors, binging television and watching the snow fall from a safe, comfortable place.
But no matter our favored situation, it’s likely you’ll be spending some time outdoors. And once this winter weather comes around, it is imperative that the time is taken to protect our health. With dry air, falling snow, and colder conditions, this means taking the time to keep your head warm and your hair healthy. This winter, abide by the following methods to keep your scalp warm and healthy.
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Reach For A Beanie Before Heading Outdoors.
Wearing a beanie might be off-putting, solely due to the “hat head” sure to come once taking it off while indoors, but a thick beanie is a great way to keep your head warm during the winter months. If you’re worried about getting that dreaded hat hair, you should find a beanie made of the right fabric: hats made of wool and acrylic will lead to hair abrasion, creating that static-look we know of hat head; hats made of cotton or fleece work well at warming your head while equally protecting your hair. Furthermore, avoid going outdoors with wet hair, even if it’s kept under a hat. Damp hair allows cuticles to open, which, when frozen by cold air, can lead to severe breakage.
Cool It On Hot Showers.
When it’s cold outside, there’s a great reprieve to be found in a hot, steamy shower. While it will leave you feeling enlivened and ready to take on the day once climbing out of your warm bed, it can be bad news for your hair.
Excessively hot showers strip our hair of its natural oils that protect our hair and scalp by providing necessary nutrients and moisture. Regularly taking hot showers can cause hair to become damaged due to continued stripping of healthy oils.
To avoid stripping your hair of its necessary nutrients and moisture, you should instead wash your hair in lukewarm water. And if you’re already struggling with a dry scalp, consider adding some clinical hair restoration products to your arsenal. Introducing these into your daily hair care ritual can help return hair to a healthy, lively state.
Use Natural Products To Keep Your Hair Healthy.
Dandruff and weakened hair are usually brought on by winter weather, but there might be another culprit to blame. You might not realize it, but the hair care products you currently use might be damaging your hair and scalp.
Chemical ingredients commonly found in hair care products—parabens, allergens, formaldehyde—can have disastrous effects on your hair and scalp. It might be beneficial to avoid some of these ingredients altogether, dependent on your hair and skin type. But, for most people it’s a general rule of thumb to reach for natural products whenever possible, so your body can rely on natural ingredients rather than scientifically created chemicals. If you’ve been struggling with an itchy scalp or dry, brittle hair, it might be time to reach for natural hair supplements that can restore the health of the hair on your head.
A Warm Oil Can Revitalize Your Scalp.
Along with reaching for natural hair care products, it might help to introduce a natural oil to your routine. Whether it’s an over-the-counter product or something straight from your cabinets, whether it is olive oil or coconut oil, it can help to moisturize and condition your hair and scalp, leaving them rejuvenated and looking far healthier than before.
Avoid Over-Styling And Heating Of Hair.
Just as hot showers are harmful to your scalp and hair, the use of hot-styling products can be just as bad. Blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons can make it easier to style your hair, but they can also lead to your hair becoming excessively dry, looking blown out and worn out.
Moreover, over-styling—from using too much of a hair product to combing your hair too aggressively—can cause serious damage to your hair and scalp. To avoid damage while styling, consider ditching your hot-styling device for something a little safer; furthermore, consider being a little gentler on your hair to avoid daily damage. While it might be hard to put down your curling iron, you can try out other hairstyles that might work better during the winter months.
Get A Humidifier For Your Home.
Winter air is already dry as it is. Once we begin heating our homes to keep them warm, the air around us becomes even drier. To avoid the deleterious effects that come from dry air, consider adding a humidifier to your home. A good humidifier can help keep your home feeling comfortable while also protecting your hair and scalp against drying, which can easily lead to weakened hair, excessive dandruff, and brittle ends.
Get Your Hair Regularly Trimmed.
If you’re growing your hair out during the winter months, you might begin noticing brittle ends popping up. The drier weather is to thank for this. While you can undertake treatments to repair these brittle, broken ends, it’s in your best interest to just have them regularly trimmed off.
Hairstylists recommend getting your hair trimmed every three to four months while growing it out, as this will ensure that any dead ends are trimmed off. The accumulation of brittle ends will normally halt the growth of healthy hair, so it’s best to have it regularly trimmed off to allow your hair to properly continue its growth phase.
There’s no perfect way to take care of your hair during the winter—everyone is unique. But with some trial and error, you can determine which works best for your scalp, keeping your head healthy and protected throughout the colder months.
