14 December 2016 Tweet  

Hair Care for Winter

Winters take a toll on your crown of glory : Your hair! Just as your skin takes a seasonal beating, your locks get dry and frizzy as well. Flyaway hair and split ends are often reported from the lack of humidity during winters so hair needs extra conditioning to coat each strand and protect it from damage.

Your Miracle Product: Coconut Oil

This is a very economical and easily available product, but many people don’t know it's advantages. Well, besides smelling great, it is loaded with vitamin E and coats the hair shaft with proteins to build strength, repair damage, and improve shine.

Coconut oil becomes a liquid at 76 degrees. Simply melt a couple tablespoons in the microwave for a couple of seconds (don’t overheat!), or use warm water to melt it down, then massage into your hair and scalp. Let it sit a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. You can also use solidified coconut oil to tame frizz and add shine. Simply rub your fingers on the coconut oil and massage it into your hair and scalp. If your hair is thin, you might find coconut oil weighs it down, so use less and smear it on the hair but not the scalp.

A few basics one must follow this season are …

Lemon Juice for Flaky hair : Your scalp is drier and itchier than ever during the winter months because of the lack of moisture in the air. This leads to issues like dandruff and aggravated scalp irritation, which can lead to hair fall. What most people don’t realize is that the dandruff problem can be super manageable with the right care. All you will need is a couple of tablespoons of olive or coconut oil and a teaspoon of lemon juice. Heat the oil for a couple of seconds until it is warm and then mix it with the lemon juice. Massage the oil into your scalp and leave it in for 20-30 minutes. Rinse it out with shampoo and condition.

Control the frizz : One of the most annoying things about winter is all of the static. The hoodies, sweater, scarves, gloves, and beanies all seem to gang up on your hair, making it a static, frizzy mess. To tackle this, use a vented hair brush that has a combination of plastic and boar bristles while combing your hair. Wash your hair only with lukewarm water, not hot water, as the latter will strip away the natural oils that protect and nourish your hair. Apply a leave-in conditioner to keep your hair smooth.

Shine for Dry Hair : The lack of moisture in winter not only dries out your scalp and makes your hair frizzy, but also leaves your hair looking dull and lifeless. Brush or comb out your hair with a wide-toothed wooden comb to remove tangles and apply raw honey to the length of your hair from the roots to the tips. Cover up your hair with a shower cap or towel and leave it on for about 30 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water. Honey is a humectant that seals in the moisture and helps restore shine and bounce to dull and damaged hair.

Olive Oil for Dry hair : Warm up two teaspoons of olive oil and massage it slowly on your scalp. This slow massaging helps the oil penetrate deep into the roots. This will help to keep your scalp moisturized and improve blood circulation, ensuring that your follicles get enough nourishment. Optionally, you can use a few tablespoons of the oil to coat the entire length of your hair as a deep conditioning treatment. Keep for 30 minutes, then shampoo and condition your hair.

Avoid Drying Hair : Drying your hair out completely can be a pain, especially if you have long hair. But you should never, I repeat, never put your hair up while it is still damp. Damp hair and scalps attract a lot of problems like dandruff, breakage, and split ends. You must also never rub your hair dry with a towel as the friction will cause damage. The best way to dry your hair would be to gently squeeze the excess moisture out with a towel and then use a blow dryer on the cool setting. If you are using hot air to speed things up, ensure that you are holding the dryer at least 15 centimeters away from your hair.

Importance of Deep Conditioning during winter : Your hair needs all the moisture it can get during winter, and this makes conditioning a vital part of your hair care routine. Using hair oils and deep conditioning packs at least once a week becomes vital for maintaining the health of your hair. It is important that you end every wash with a conditioner. Shampoo your hair and then rinse it thoroughly. Once all the lather has been rinsed out, start applying the conditioner from the mid-lengths to the ends of your hair. Concentrate on the ends as they are the oldest and most damaged parts of your hair. Leave the conditioner in for a few minutes and then rinse it out with cool or lukewarm water. It is advised to end a wash with cool water as this will seal in the moisture and leave your hair feeling smooth and looking lustrous.

Taking care of dandruff during winter :Dandruff seems to thrive in oily hair. In winters, due to reduced frequency of shampooing the sebum keeps on collecting on the scalp and then produces flakes by causing inflammation on the scalp. So regular shampooing can help you fight it off. If you already have dandruff, washing your hair may help you keep the symptoms (the flakes) under control until it goes away. Massage your scalp so that you clean your skin, as well as your hair. This is one time when the "repeat" directions in "wash, rinse, and repeat" may be useful. The first washing breaks up the waxy sebum, and the second washing helps rinse it all away. If it still persists, you may consult a dermatologist because there are few scalp conditions like psoriasis, which mimic dandruff initially.

With these basic tips for winter your hair will be healthy and better this season.