Cold weather means snuggling up with a warm blanket and hot cocoa by the fire. While this may be good for the soul, it’s not so good for your hair. The dry heat, cold air, and friction from hats and scarves can really do a number on your tresses, leaving them dry, dull, and damaged. Here are a few hair care habits you need to adopt to put a stop to all this and allow you to keep your hair healthy and shiny all winter.
Habit #1- Put Your Hair Up
You may think it best to leave your hair down to help keep warm, but it’s best to put your hair up before going outside. Hair left down will battle the wind as well as sustain damage from the friction of high coat collars and/or scarves. This friction is damaging and so are the tangles and knots from whipping around in the wind.
Habit #2- Swap Out Your Products
Our haircare needs change just as much during the colder months as our skincare needs, so get in the habit of swapping out your shampoo and conditioner as soon as the mercury starts falling. Opt for thicker moisturizing products that will give your hair an intense moisture boost to counteract the dry heat and frigid temperatures.
Habit #3- Shampoo Less
In cooler weather, you don’t sweat as much if at all, and oil production slows in your scalp, so you don’t need to shampoo as often. By skipping every other shampoo you’ll help prevent a dry, flaky scalp as well as prevent over stripping your hair of its natural oils.
Habit #4- Apply a Weekly Hair Mask
Make it a habit to apply a weekly hair mask, such as Charles Ifergan Reparative Hair Mask to deeply condition hair. This will relieve dryness and repair damage. After applying the mask, cover it with a shower cap to hold in heat and moisture to supercharge the treatment. Rinse with cool water to close and smooth the hair shaft and lock in moisture.
Habit #5- Limit Heat
Adding high heat from styling tools to the dry indoor heat and dry cold outdoors and you have a recipe for breakage. Limit your use of heat styling tools as much as you can in winter, and when you must use a bit of heat, set your tools to low and apply a thermal protectant to your strands before styling.
If you’re still not sure where to start to develop healthy hair habits for winter, ask your Charles Ifergan stylist for advice. We’ll help you choose the products and services you need to keep your hair healthy and beautiful throughout the season. Schedule an appointment online today, or to manage appointments from your phone download our free mobile app from iTunes or Google Play. We look forward to serving you at one of our three convenient locations in downtown Chicago on Oak Street, Deerfield, and Oakbrook.
