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Whether you have fine hair, curly hair, or wavy hair, you're bound to have wondered at some point—why is my hair so dry in the winter?
No hair textures are safe from winter hair woes. Winter offers an unfortunate drying combo of cold weather, low humidity, and friction-causing hats. Throw in a desperate desire to get cozy indoors while cranking the heat at 80°F and you're likely to leave your strands screaming for moisture.
Not only does a dry-hair-winter do your hair shaft dirty, but it can also cause dry scalp. No one wants an itchy scalp or dull, moisture-craved tresses!
You might feel like there's not much to do to protect hair all winter long. but actually, you can! Cold air may be getting your hair down, but you don't need to wait out the season to wait for a return to hair health.
There are quite a few things you can do that take little to no effort that will transform your winter hair from drab to fab!
How to Rid Yourself of Dry Hair Winter Woes
Winter is synonymous with dryness. So one of the first things you need to do is find ways to increase the moisture levels not only in your hair but in your home.
Crank up the humidity
The first easy tip is to add a humidifier to your bedroom and any other rooms you spend a lot of time in. Amp up indoor moisture levels and your hair follicles will thank you for it!
Next, consider using various hair treatments that will help keep your hair hydrated.
Use quality hair products
It's essential to use good quality, moisturizing shampoos, and conditioners during the wintertime. And year-round.
To combat dry winter hair, you'll especially want to use a leave-in treatment, such as a leave-in conditioner, hair oils, and other natural products like shea butter. Pamper and nourish dry, damaged hair with a deep conditioning treatment!
Further reading:
Oil treatments to try
Some natural oils that can really help tame and soften frizzy hair and soothe a dry scalp are:
- Avocado oil
- Argan oil
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- Almond oil
These oils each contain a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help your hair stay healthy and look its best.
Make-it-at-home hair masks
Another great way to say goodbye to brittle hair and hello to happy locks is by regularly using a hair mask. All hair types love a good hair mask. You can even DIY your own hair masks to keep your hair looking radiant, naturally (and affordably).
Here are a few fantastic DIY hair mask options:
- Milk and honey hair mask: Keratin in the honey strengthens and helps prevent breakage while nutrients in the milk help soften and support your hair
- Coconut oil hair mask: Coconut oil is perfect for soothing and nourishing thick, dry, and textured hair
- Avocado and olive oil hair mask: Avocado helps seal the hair cuticle while olive oil nourishes hair and adds a sleek layer of shine
Make sure to get trims in the winter months, too. You'll get rid of any frazzled split ends and make way for healthier hair.
Rest your head on silk
And last but not least, if you have not already, switch to using a real silk pillowcase and hair accessories!
How Silk Can Help Your Winter Hair
Silk is a miracle material when it comes to having the glossiest hair you've ever seen.
Silk is ultra-soft and naturally hydrating. It enhances your hair's shine, helps prevent future breakage and split ends, lessens frizzy hair, and reduces tangles!
A major reason why silk pillowcases and hair accessories will help your hair is because of their smoothness. Silk creates 40% less friction than cotton, in fact. The less friction on your hair, the less breakage and frizz.
Also, silk will not absorb leave-in treatments or your hair's natural oils. So you won't waste product and your hair will be happier. A win-win!
Sleeping on a Blissy Silk Pillowcase
If you're prone to tossing and turning, you can prevent the damage caused by the friction these movements create. Simply switch to a luxurious Blissy Silk Pillowcase!
When it comes to choosing a silk pillowcase, Blissy is the best option. They have a great variety of luxurious grade 6A mulberry silk, 22-momme pillowcases. The Blissy color selection is to dye for too! With colors like gold, silver, champagne, and pink, as well as ombre patterns and more.
Plus, all their products are OEKO-TEX certified. This means you're only getting the safest and highest quality product.
Hair Pro Tip: If you have curly or textured hair, a mulberry silk pillowcase is your best friend.
Using Blissy Silk Hair Accessories
Blissy also has accessories like Mulberry Silk Scrunchies, Hair Ribbons, Beauty Bands, Head Pieces, and Bonnets. Replace your old hair accessories with these and you'll notice the difference immediately. They won't crease your hair or cause breakage!
Hair Pro Tip: Sometimes the cold temperature requires a beanie. Prevent hat head—wear a silk scarf underneath!
What to Avoid in Cold Weather
You now have some great tips about what to do to avoid wintertime dry scalp and brittle hair. Here are some things not to do.
Shampoo less
First of all, wash your hair less frequently in the cold winter months. This way, your gorgeous hair will be able to retain more moisture. Washing your hair too often rinses too many of your hair's natural oils down the drain—and you don't want that!
If you're concerned about greasy roots, you could try co-washing. (Co-washing is washing with conditioner only—no shampoo). Or you could spritz dry shampoo at the roots to absorb oil.
Hair Pro Tip: Wash hair less often in winter. The more natural oils the better if you want to have shiny, glossy locks.
Wash your hair with lukewarm water
When you wash your hair, avoid using hot water. We know, we know—it's oh-so-tempting to take hot showers in the winter.
Make sure to use lukewarm water, and if you can tolerate it, rinse at the end with cold water. This will help the cuticle lay flat, which helps smooth hair and cut down on frizz.
Step away from the curling iron
Please put that hair dryer down—your hair needs all the moisture it can get!
If you have to use hot tools, (like curling irons, straighteners, and blow dryers), make sure to use a heat protectant on your hair beforehand to mitigate heat damage. And again, don't forget your leave-in treatment!
Hair Pro Tip: Avoid heat styling tools as much as possible during cold weather.
Keep Your Hair Hydrated All Winter
Cold weather can wreak havoc on your hair, but it doesn't have to. With these tips, you'll be asking yourself "how did my hair get so fabulous" instead of "why is my hair so dry in the winter?"
For more great tips on how to protect your hair and restore shine, click here!
