Cold weather is a season we often dread — and with good reason. It’s associated with shorter days, shorter weeks, and lessening life’s joy. But it also has its unique set of problems to tackle, the most common and frustrating of which is hair care in cold weather.
Luckily, there are multiple solutions to this problem that you may want to consider before your next winter trek into the frigid outdoors. The following steps will help you maintain healthy hair growth during cold weather.
1. Eat a Nutritious Diet
A cold, windy winter can make it difficult to eat nutritiously, as you have to cover your face and hands with scarves or mittens while also eating meals in the car.
Your hair is made of dead cells and that without nutrition, those cells will die and disappear, leaving behind a thinning hair patch. In the winter, eat lots of protein and fiber, especially leafy greens.
2. Limit Use of Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is an easy way to keep hair looking full and healthy during the winter, but it’s also a double-edged sword — while it keeps your hair looking full and natural, it also strips the oils from your scalp.
Over time, this can cause breakage and thinning of the hair shafts. Instead, try using a homemade dry shampoo between washings.
3. Limit Heating Tools
Hot hair tools are top-rated in winter because they are great for drying wet, cold hair. But all that heat can be brutal on the hair follicles underneath your scalp — especially if you tend to lean toward heavy or dense styles or expose your hair to freezing temperatures. Instead, try a water-based styling product, like a mousse or hair spray.
4. Try a Cold Rinse
If you are washing your hair in the morning before you drive to work or school in winter, try rinsing it with cold water instead of warm. This will help to keep your hair follicles from contracting and shrinking too much as they lay down new hair.
5. Wear a Hat
Covering up tight will help your hair stay healthy and full while you’re out and about during the winter. The cold, dry air and snow can strain your hair. When working or spending time outside, wear a scarf or hat to protect your hair from gusts of cold wind that can cause breakage and split ends.
6. Use an Oil Treatment
Coconut oil is a great natural product that can help keep your hair nourished and protected during the winter. Just put a few drops on your hand before applying any hair products, then rub them into your hair’s tips and roots. This will help keep your hair healthy hair healthy by providing some protection from the elements.
Improving your diet, limiting specific hot tools, and keeping yourself wrapped and covered are great ways to keep your hair looking healthy during winter weather. You might feel like these steps are too simple to make a difference, but having healthy hair isn’t a complicated process.
