Have you ever noticed that your hair becomes dull and brittle during the winter? It’s not a coincidence- the harsh, cold, and dry winter air just isn’t suitable for something as delicate as hair. Luckily, there’s a couple of steps you can take to protect your precious locks from suffering too much damage this winter season! Here are some of the best hair care tips for cold weather survival from your local Bay Area stylist.
Why is winter so bad for our hair in the first place?
Before we start talking about solutions, it’s important to understand why winter is so bad for hair .n the first place The answer is almost entirely because of the air. The thing about winter air is that it’s dry because it’s too cold to hold in any moisture. Unfortunately, this is bad news for our hair. Dry air can seriously throw hair in for a loop for two reasons. The first one being that healthy hair requires moisture in order to stay strong, which dry winter air just doesn’t have. Secondly, dry air can actually pull out any moisture you do have, which further weakens your hair and turns it brittle, lifeless, and weak. Winter air is literally sucking the life out of our hair! But no need to panic, here are a few things you can do to set your hair up for success and keep it looking good all winter long.
1. Use a humidifier
One of the best things you can do for your hair is to set up a humidifier. Humidifiers work by dispensing moisture back into the air. By keeping the air in your home nice and hydrated, you can be sure that your hair is receiving an extra boost of moisture that it’s so severely lacking during this time of year. The end result should be hydrated hair that isn’t so prone to breakage and can better withstand the dry outside air.
2. Avoid using hot tools
Of course, avoiding hot tools as much as possible is always a sure-fire way to keep your hair healthy no matter what time of year it is. That’s because heat styling in general can be very damaging if not done with proper caution, so try to air dry as often as you can. If you ever do need to do some heat styling, let your hair air dry as much as possible, keep your tool on a cooler setting, and don’t forget to use a heat protectant!
3. Use treatments
When your hair needs an extra pick-me-up, try using treatments like masks and deep conditioners. Packed full of nutrients, proteins, and oils, these types of treatments are meant to nourish, moisturize, and strengthen your hair so it can better withstand the winter elements. If you’re unsure what treatments would work best for your hair, talk to your Bay Area stylist for recommendations!
4. Cover your head
Hats, hoods, and headwraps are about to be your newest winter BFF. Not only are they a stylish way to keep warm, but they’re also a great way to physically shield your precious hair from the harsh weather conditions and air! Try wearing one out whenever you need to leave the house, even if you’ll only be outside for a couple of seconds.
5. Shower with colder water
Almost nothing is better than a nice warm shower when the weather’s feeling a little chilly, but did you know hot water can actually dry out our hair? Try using lukewarm or cooler water instead. If you’re feeling a little chilly, you can always warm up afterward with your favorite fuzzy pair of PJs or a hot mug of tea (at least they won’t damage your hair!).