How Do I Winterize My Hair?

The harshness of winter's low temps, dry air, and high winds is very well known. Not only is it rough on your skin, but it can also do a number on your hair. Some experience increased frizz or a drop in manageability, while others struggle with visible breakage. To avoid these issues and more, it's crucial to winterize your hair for the season, and we'll show you exactly how to do so in this article.

Up the Moisture

The first and most effective way to winterize your strands is to up the moisture. And there are several ways that you can do this, including:

• Using a leave-in conditioner every morning before you walk out of the door.

• Using a more nourishing and hydrating conditioner in place of your normal one.

• Applying a deep conditioner more often than you usually would. If you typically opt for monthly deep conditioning sessions, increase that to weekly and see how your hair responds.

• Spritzing your hair with water every now and again to give it a dose of moisture.

• Adding heat to your deep conditioner/hair mask regimen. Doing so will open your cuticles so your strands will accept more of the treatment.

Rinse With Cool Water

You might be tempted to wash your hair with warm to hot water in the wintertime (given the frigid temperatures outside). But we urge you not to do so, as it can dry out your hair in a hurry. Instead, turn down the temperature of the water - the cooler, the better. Doing so will lock the conditioner's nutrients and hydrators into your strands for lasting moisture.

Shield Your Hair from the Elements

Our hair is no match for the cold temps and dry air that accompany the winter months. So, in addition to the above tips, we recommend that you cover up your hair - and we mean every strand. A simple hat won't do unless you tuck all your hair into it. Satin-lined caps are also fantastic for the wintertime.

Cowash Now and Again

In the coldest part of winter, you may notice that your hair is drier than the Sahara. Whenever that's the case, give it a break from shampoo. Shampoo in itself is not all bad, but some shampoos (namely those that have sulfates, salts, alcohols, etc.) can dry out your hair in seconds. To prevent that, you can cowash instead.

Cowashing requires you to switch out your typical shampoo for a conditioner. You can use virtually any conditioner you want, but it's a good idea to choose one formulated with lots of water, emollients, and vitamins conducive to hair health.

Ask Your Stylist for an Extra Treatment

Do you usually go to a professional for hair maintenance and styling? If so, you can simply ask your stylist for some help in winterizing your tresses. They'll most likely offer you some hair-strengthening and moisturizing treatments. Just know that each of these treatments will cost you a pretty penny.

So, there you have it! Several ways to winterize your hair this year. We encourage you to combine several of these tips to maximize your results. Good luck!

Author: Andrea Reyes

Andrea is a mother, wife, writer, and natural hair enthusiast of 15 years. Currently on her natural hair journey, she’s been trying countless products and techniques to understand and embrace her natural hair. She is the creator of NaturallyTextured.com, a new website featuring informative articles that share tips, tricks, and techniques aimed to help others learn to love their hair through proper hair care. She writes with the hope of making hair care easier to understand and implement.