Keep your hair shiny even in winter

It’s winter and your shiny summertime hair is just a distant memory.  It’s frizzy, crispy, static filled and dull.  In short, the weather, indoor heat and hats have taken their toll.  Dry hair is hard to control, won’t hold a curl or shine and is generally one of women’s most challenging beauty problems.

But take heart!  There is hope for your hair! 

First you need to understand why your hair is so dry in winter. 

What is dry hair?

Dry hair is caused by damage and can be blamed on the over processing that occurs when the hair is colored, bleached or permed, or the stress of daily blow drying, curling irons and flat irons.

However, for women who live in cold climates, the weather can be blamed for frizzy tresses. Spending time outdoors in the cold dry air and then coming into furnace warmed buildings stresses hair further, causing it to dry out and become unruly.

Dry hair occurs when the cells in each strand, which in healthy hair line up in straight rows, are chipped or stressed away by the harsh chemicals used in some hair products, the every day damage of heat styling or the temperature changes associated with living in a cold climate. This exposes the inner cells of the hair strand causing the hair to lose moisture. Dry hair looks dull and lifeless because of its inability to reflect light.

What can I do?

 From the right products for winter hair care, to some simple precautions, here are a few tips to help you prevent winter dry hair.

Pick the right shampoo

The first step is to shampoo and condition your hair with products specifically formulated for dry hair.   This seems like common sense, but we often get in the habit of using the same shampoo season after season.  The product that works well on oily summer locks will not work on dry winter hair ? in fact, it will probably make it worse!  Do not use two-in-one shampoo and conditioner combos; these blends do neither effectively. Pick a quality product designed to repair and protect dry hair.  This is not a time for the cheapest shampoo on the grocery store shelf! 

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Less time in the shower

 

During winter, consider washing your hair less often. Washing not only removes the dirt and debris from your hair, it also washes away the hair’s protective oils. Washing your hair less in the cold weather months will better enable your hair to defend itself.

 

Dry your hair with care

 

When you’re done washing and conditioning, pat your hair dry. Vigorous towel drying actually damages the hair shaft.  If you can, skip the blow dryer, too.  All that heat strips your hair of precious moisture and roughs up the outer layer of the hair.

 

Be sure however, to thoroughly dry your hair before venturing outside. Wet hair can freeze and actually break off.

 

Take time to deep condition

 

Make sure to apply a deep conditioner once a week. These help fill the chips and holes in the hair strand, working as a kind of “putty” to help heal the holes in your hair. These fillers apply a coat to the hair shaft resulting in a smooth, flat surface that reflects light and restores shine. Try to find a treatment that has rice protein in it (to help rebuild and strengthen hair) as well as corn protein (for body and manageability). Rinse your hair with cold water to lock in the moisture.

 

Or make your own deep conditioner.  A great recipe for a homemade hair conditioner is to add six drops of lavender, bay and sandalwood essential oils to six ounces of warm sesame or soy oil. Apply the mixture to the scalp with a cotton ball, wrap your head in a towel and let the oil penetrate for fifteen minutes before shampooing

 

Use a leave in conditioner with hair appliances

 

Using a leave in conditioner before using blow dryers, curling irons and other heated styling apparatus can provide your hair with a protective layer between it and the heat. 

 

Get regular trims

 

Did you know you can help to prevent winter dry hair by getting your hair trimmed regularly? Dryness starts at the ends so getting it cut frequently will prevent the split ends associated with dry and damaged hair. If you normally get your hair trimmed every eight weeks in the warm months, get it trimmed every six weeks in the winter.

 

Watch what you eat ? and drink

 

Another trick to help you prevent winter dry hair is to pay attention to your diet. Eating carbohydrates and protein is important for the health of your hair, as is drinking lots of

Less time in the shower

 

During winter, consider washing your hair less often. Washing not only removes the dirt and debris from your hair, it also washes away the hair’s protective oils. Washing your hair less in the cold weather months will better enable your hair to defend itself.

 

Dry your hair with care

 

When you’re done washing and conditioning, pat your hair dry. Vigorous towel drying actually damages the hair shaft.  If you can, skip the blow dryer, too.  All that heat strips your hair of precious moisture and roughs up the outer layer of the hair.

 

Be sure however, to thoroughly dry your hair before venturing outside. Wet hair can freeze and actually break off.

 

Take time to deep condition

 

Make sure to apply a deep conditioner once a week. These help fill the chips and holes in the hair strand, working as a kind of “putty” to help heal the holes in your hair. These fillers apply a coat to the hair shaft resulting in a smooth, flat surface that reflects light and restores shine. Try to find a treatment that has rice protein in it (to help rebuild and strengthen hair) as well as corn protein (for body and manageability). Rinse your hair with cold water to lock in the moisture.

 

Or make your own deep conditioner.  A great recipe for a homemade hair conditioner is to add six drops of lavender, bay and sandalwood essential oils to six ounces of warm sesame or soy oil. Apply the mixture to the scalp with a cotton ball, wrap your head in a towel and let the oil penetrate for fifteen minutes before shampooing

 

Use a leave in conditioner with hair appliances

 

Using a leave in conditioner before using blow dryers, curling irons and other heated styling apparatus can provide your hair with a protective layer between it and the heat. 

 

Get regular trims

 

Did you know you can help to prevent winter dry hair by getting your hair trimmed regularly? Dryness starts at the ends so getting it cut frequently will prevent the split ends associated with dry and damaged hair. If you normally get your hair trimmed every eight weeks in the warm months, get it trimmed every six weeks in the winter.

 

Watch what you eat ? and drink

 

Another trick to help you prevent winter dry hair is to pay attention to your diet. Eating carbohydrates and protein is important for the health of your hair, as is drinking lots of