The weather outside may be frightful, but there are steps you can take to help protect your hair from cold weather trauma. Cold air can make your scalp dry and flaky and your hair rough and brittle! Just like we protect our bodies from the cold, there are things we can do to protect our hair during the winter. 

You can keep your hair strong, smooth, and hydrated despite the chilling temperature. Scroll down to read our hair care tips that will keep your hair and scalp as joyful as you are this winter!

1. Use Sulfate Free Shampoo 

Frequently washing your hair with shampoos strips off its natural oils, causing further dryness and irritation. Try to extend the time between your washes to maximum 2x per week.  Always use a sulfate-free and mild shampoo to maintain the natural moisture balance.

Use Density Haircare Shampoo $30

 2. Condition Hair Regularly

During winter, your scalp gets dry and itchy due to the lack of moisture in the air. This may lead to dandruff, scalp irritation, and flakiness, causing hair loss. A deeply hydrating conditioner works wonders. Use moisture rich formulates to fully hydrate the hair shaft and keep the hair moisturized.

Tip: Never skip the conditioner during winter.

Use Density Haircare Conditioner $30 

3. Avoid Heat Styling Tools

Your hair is already delicate during winter, and using heat styling tools can make it brittle, causing hair breakage. Embrace your natural hair texture and air dry your tresses as much as possible. Avoid blow drying as it draws moisture out of your hair. Experiment with different hairstyles like updos, twists, and braids to easily avoid using heat-styling tools.

4. Apply A Serum To Keep Scalp Hydrated And Healthy

Serums are an excellent preventative measure to ensure your overall hair health. A hair serum with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients like peptides and apple stem cell, caffeine and niacinamide help enhance hair growth, add shine, and nourish your scalp.

Use Hiarmax RSN8 Scalp Nourishing Serum $55

Tip: Use overnight. Apply the serum directly on to your scalp and massage in. No need to rinse.

5. Don’t Step Out With Wet Hair

Cold air expands the hair shafts, making them prone to breakage, and may cause color fading.  Always dry your hair before you step out into the sun. Give your hair extra time to air dry before exposing it to the cold.

6. Cover Your Hair

Your hair gets stressed when it is exposed to the cold and dry wind and snow. Keep it covered with a scarf or a hat. You can line your hat with silk or satin cloth to prevent friction from the cotton and woolen materials. You can also use a dry oil spray to fight static and tame flyways.

7. Protect Hair From Static

Static hair is the most annoying thing in the winter. Lack of moisture, combined with the friction caused by sweaters, scarves, hoodies, and hair brushes, makes your hair frizzy and static. To handle this situation, use a vented hairbrush to let the air flow through. Apply a leave-in conditioner to prevent static and keep the hair smooth. 

Use: Hairmax Quick Dry Paddle Brush $19

8. Avoid Hot Showers

A hot water shower in the freezing weather is always tempting. But hot water can remove the natural oils and moisture from your hair, making it dry. It may also make the scalp dry and cause flakiness. Always wash your hair with lukewarm water and blast with cold water at the ends to help seal the hair cuticles.

Keep your warm showers between 5 to 10 minutes to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils.

9. Switch To Microfiber Towels

Avoid using cotton bath towels to dry your hair. Instead, use microfiber towels. They are gentle on your hair, have high water-absorbing capacity, and help reduce friction and hair drying time. Cotton or any other material can make your hair rough and create tangles, frizz, and flyaways.

Use Hairmax Quick Dry Microfiber Towel $19

Tip: Wrap towel around her wet hair and squeeze out the water instead of roughing. 

10. Eat Healthy To Keep Your Hair Healthy

Foods rich in protein are beneficial for hair health. Increase your intake of all essential vitamin-rich foods like carrots, eggs, pumpkins, and berries. Follow a balanced diet that combines vegetables, leafy greens, dairy products, omega-3 fatty acids, and meat to keep your body and hair healthy.

Tip: Stay hydrated as water is essential to keep your body healthy and replenished.