Winter Hair care

Old man winter is here, bringing frigid temperatures and blistering winds with it. For those of us on the east coast, we may have forgotten what winter is supposed to feel like in the middle of what has been one of our most unseasonably warm November & December months to date.  Now that we are gradually being reminded, what effect does this weather have on your hair?

The winter cold is not "hair friendly," just as much as it isn't skin friendly. Think about how much more you have to fight against ashy legs and chapped lips when the temperature drops. That's because the frigid air is both drying and harsh, as is the heat that you are often using to combat it. To add to that, not only does your hair have to deal with the brutal elements of mother nature but also the drying cotton scarves and wool coats upon which it rubs, as well as the moisture sucking cotton hats which it sits under. So, as you can see, winter is not your hair's best friend.

What can you do to make your hair happy this winter?

1. Increase the moisture: You may notice that it takes more for your hair to stay moisturized in the winter. You may have only needed to moisturize 3 times a week  or only deep condition every other week in the summer. But now, that doesn't seem to cut it anymore. Consider increasing the frequency of moisturizing. 
2. Use a different moisturizer: Some people have to use a heavier moisturizer in the winter time. That light weight leave in might not cut it for you as it does during other times of the year. Maybe you need heavier products; might be time to pull out those butters or to seal more frequently with an oil. Or maybe your moisturizer is heavy on the humectants such as glycerin or honey but isn't as effective in the winter time because of the lack of moisture in the air (Humectant?What?  and List of humectants?). Keep this in mind. 
3. Pin up your hair: One of the worst things for your ends during this time of year, besides the actual weather, is that wool coat & those sweaters. Wearing your hair down allows those fragile ends to rub on these less hair friendly articles of clothing,  thus setting it up for breakage. Keep your ends pinned up as much as possible, even if it's just until you take off your coat when you reach your destination. And if you do want to wear your hair down, consider using a silk fashion scarf to wear around the collar of your coat. 
4. Minimize wearing bone straight hair: Of course you might want to show of your hair at times and leave it out and flowing. After all, this is the perfect time of year for people who want to straighten without worrying about their hair quickly reverting back to a fro.  Cool! But try to limit wearing your hair down every day during this season. As mentioned in point 3, there are so many elements that work against your hair to limit retention during this time of year. If you're going to wear your hair in a "straightish" style, consider rolling the ends of your hair  or bumping the ends under. This limits the direct friction on the ends that you would get with your hair completely straight. 
5. Protective Style: The best thing you can do for your hair during this season is to PROTECTIVE STYLE. Braids, cornrows, wigs, weaves, buns, twists.....whatever you choose, this is the best time to do it. In many of these styles, your hair is protected from the elements, your ends are hidden, and your hair retains moisture better. Then in the spring, you can reveal the fruits of your winter hair hibernation. 

With these tips, old man winter won't have the chance to put a damper on your healthy hair dreams. 

Happy holidays! And Happy Growing, 

Love, 

B