With 260,000 monthly Google searches for ‘damaged hair’ and ‘how to repair damaged hair’ combined, it’s clear that many Brits are facing hair care challenges as temperatures drop. To help, Karen Hicks, marketing manager at Capital Hair and Beauty, shares her top tips for preventing hair loss and breakage during the cold season.
“The nights are getting longer, the temperatures are dropping, and winter is just around the corner. Despite all the joy and comfort this season brings, there’s no doubt that your hair needs some extra treatment this time of year.”
During the cold season, dry outdoor air can draw moisture from your scalp, weakening your strands and causing dryness, breakage, and split ends. Not only this, dry scalp can lead to itchy dandruff. This should be avoided at all costs.
But don’t worry. Here are three simple tricks to prevent hair and scalp damage during the cooler months.
Moisturize and keep hair hydrated: An easy way to revive dry hair is to moisturize it. Take the time to deep condition your hair with a leave-in conditioner, like KeraCare’s Leave-In Conditioner, or try a hot oil massage of your scalp.
Avoid heat styling whenever possible. During the colder months, why not embrace your natural hair? Your hair will thank you in the long run. Heat styling essentially reverses all the effort you put into keeping your hair moisturized by stripping it of moisture and breaking its chemical bonds, ultimately promoting hair loss.
Prioritize sleep and healthy eating: The importance of getting quality sleep alongside a healthy, vitamin-rich diet cannot be overstated. Sleep also helps our bodies absorb nutrients such as biotin, a B vitamin needed for hair health, without which hair loss and thinning may be just around the corner. . ”
Unfortunately, it’s not just your hair that can be damaged by cold winds and temperatures.
Karen shared her top tips for adapting your skincare routine to work with the winter weather, rather than against it.
Lather up your moisturizing product.
“Cold, harsh weather can dry out your skin, but all is not lost. Even those with oily skin types should use a moisturizer with a thicker, more hydrating formula every day. If you have dry skin, we recommend taking it up a notch with a moisturizing facial cleanser. Avoid anything that bubbles. These cleansers tend to contain ingredients that strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it feeling rough and dry. ”
Reduces toner tone.
“During the winter, your skin’s barrier function is activated, so it’s important to protect it. It’s beneficial to reduce the use of products such as toners and exfoliants, which can be harsh on the skin and dry out. Limit use to once or twice a week, and never chemically exfoliate immediately before exposure to cool, fresh air.
Avoid hot, steamy showers.
“This may not be a popular choice, but taking a super hot shower when your body is cold can actually damage your skin. Your body naturally moisturizes your skin. Your skin produces oil to protect it, but hot water strips it away and leaves your skin feeling dry during the winter, so showers should be shorter to avoid flaking. Avoid heat and apply moisturizer immediately.
