6 Ridiculously Easy Tips For Healthy Hair In Winter

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Even though there’s nothing we love more than when the snow starts to fall, unfortunately, our hair doesn’t feel the same way. The dry winter weather likes to mess with our hair, making it drier, frizzier, and generally less healthy. Because our hair is hygroscopic, which means it matches the moisture content of the surrounding environment, in winter, our hair usually gets majorly dehydrated due to the dry air. So, when you’re in a heated room or the cold outdoors, your hair will expel moisture until it matches the climate that it’s in. Without moisture, your hair is prone to breakage, split ends, and damaged hair follicles, and you can even experience hair loss – not cool! We’ve got six tips that will help your hair look and feel more healthy in no time at all.

1. Go easy when you towel-dry

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Okay, we all know too much heat on our hair is bad (we’re not going there again), but it’s actually the way we dry our hair with a towel that’s doing the damage. Often, we twist and rub our hair dry with a towel, but this is a HUGE mistake as it causes the hair follicles to break – et voila, flyaways. Instead, you can use a soft T-shirt or a microfiber towel as they cause less friction, or just make sure you very gently ‘blot’ your hair with a towel, like you would with your face.

2. Dryer Sheets are your best friend

We know this sounds strange, but dryer sheets are THE solution to taming flyaways. The way they work is simple: when you glide them through your hair, the negatively charged surface of your hair bonds to the positively charged ingredients of the dryer sheet, reducing the static, and leaving your hair super sleek.

3. Get regular trims

We think it’s safe to say that we’re all guilty of skipping a scheduled trim, and although you may be able to pass it off as ‘beachy waves’ in the summer, it’s not as easy in the winter. Try to get a trim every six to eight weeks to side step split any brittle ends. Just be sure to ask for a trim when you book your appointment, as tons of salons do a trim for half the price.

4. Don’t cook your hair

When our alarm goes off in the winter, the only thing that gets us out of bed is the thought of a steaming hot shower. But as hard as it may be, you need to take a shorter shower that isn’t as hot because prolonged periods of extra hot water can damage your hair follicles and will strip your hair of essential oils that lock in moisture. Our top tip is to end your shower with a cold water rinse, as this helps to smooth your hair cuticles, which are more easily able to reflect light, therefore looking less dull.

5. Brush with care

We know it may sound a bit extra, but it’s essential to use different brushes for when your hair is wet and dry.

For wet hair: A plastic comb or brush is best, as this will eliminate any pulling, ripping, tugging or tearing, minimizing breakage.
For dry hair: If your hair tangles easily, avoid using a plastic comb when it’s dry, as it will only make it more static. Instead, use a metal bristled brush as this will act as a conductor of static and will give your hair a smoother finish.

6. Nourish your hair from the inside

No matter how many miracle hair products you use, if you want hair like Solange, you need to eat with your mane in mind. Look for foods that are high in antioxidants and vitamins, so stock up on your fruit and veg. Vitamin C is perfect for the winter months as it helps produce collagen, strengthening the hair shafts’ capillaries. Kidney beans, lentils or leafy greens, like spinach, are also great as they’re full of protein, which promotes hair growth, and iron and zinc. Low levels of zinc and iron are the main causes of hair loss and dullness, so make sure you incorporate these into your nutrition plan ASAP.

Finally, don’t forget a deep conditioning mask at least once a week. Check out some of our fave masks for all hair types here.