Winter is a challenging season for anyone concerned about their hair care. Without protective measures, the extreme cold damages both your locks and scalp. From dandruff to breakage, the problems we face in winter can have a lasting effect on our hair’s health. If you put in some extra effort to care for it, you can sport healthy and bouncy locks through the festive season. Understanding the specific challenges hair faces in winter is essential to choosing the right remedy. Here, our experts share some easy remedies and hair care habits to get the best results.
Common Winter Hair Problems and Their Remedies
Our hair and scalp face many challenges when the temperature starts to fall. Here are five of the most common and their remedies:
Dry, straw-like strands
As the moisture level in the outside air drops, hair tends to become dry and brittle, sometimes to the point of looking like straw. This problem is primarily faced by curly-haired women as textured hair is dry by default. You can easily revive hair with some preventative measures and remedies:
- Stop using heating tools, as these make hair even drier.
- Start using heavily moisturizing products in your daily hair care routine.
- Make it a habit to periodically apply hydrating hair masks.
- Minimize friction to your hair by using silk or satin pillowcases and resist the urge to run your hands through it.
- Use leave-in treatments more than washing-out options.
- If you colour your hair, opt for a darker colour that doesn’t require bleaching. Avoid shades like platinum blonde which are very damaging to hair and make it incredibly dry and brittle.
Painfully itchy scalp
Ever felt like you just couldn’t stop scratching your head in Winter? Some people are more prone than others to dry skin and scalp, but almost everyone experiences an itchy head in Winter as the atmosphere loses moisture. Giving into the irritation and constantly scratching your scalp isn’t the solution, as this can lead to pain and bleeding. An itchy scalp can also lead to infections and hair being torn from its roots. You can combat this by using remedies to keep your scalp moisturized and remove dandruff.
- Shampoo your hair less often, and when you do, use a moisturizing conditioner that can also be used on your scalp.
- Hot oil massage is a great remedy for dry scalp. If you have dandruff trouble, use fenugreek oil. Other oils that you can use to prevent itchiness include coconut, castor, and olive.
- If your scalp tends to dry out frequently and itching persists, consult a dermatologist to prescribe medical treatments.
- A yogurt mask is another homemade remedy for dry and itchy scalp. Apply at least once a week to ensure your scalp is well moisturized.
Hat hair
You may love your toque or winter cap, but they’re guilty of drying out your hair as they absorb the moisture and create static that leads to frizzing. Not wearing a hat is out of the question when it’s freezing, but using the right hair care products can minimize the hat head effect.
- Regularly use a leave-in conditioner or superior-quality serum before putting on your hat.
- If you’re using styling tools, make sure you cool down your hair completely before accessorizing with a hat. Your hair will look lifeless and flattened against your scalp if you put it on while your hair is still warm and mouldable.
Split ends
This is the extreme result of your hair becoming dry and brittle. Once you get split ends, the only remedy is a haircut. Continuous breakage makes the ends look wispy and your hair won’t grow long enough. The following are a couple of things you can do to camouflage your split ends or get rid of them:
- Twist your hair tightly and you’ll notice your split ends sticking out in every direction. Use a hair trimmer to snip them, then lightly trim the ends of the twist. This is the quickest remedy when you can’t visit your stylist right away.
- Use a good split end binding cream to get healthier hair. It won’t get rid of your split ends but will prevent you from getting more.
Matted hair
The hair on your neck can become extremely tangled and matted when you start wearing high-collared jackets and turtlenecks. If you don’t take immediate action to detangle them, you’ll be left with no option but to shave them off. This is a problem faced especially with curly and frizzy hair.
- Braid your hair to the side or pull it up in a bun so it doesn’t get blown out and tangled.
- If you want to wear your hair down, take the sections of hair right above your ears on each side and at the nape of your neck and make a loose ponytail. Hide this with the rest of your hair.
Winter and hair troubles go hand in hand, particularly when you’re not very consistent about taking care of your tresses. When you consider the type of problems faced by your scalp and hair texture, you can easily find a remedy. Once you’ve worked out the best solution, sporting shiny and healthy hair even in winter will no longer be difficult.
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