Wake up in the morning and open the curtains to a hazy, misty morning; it’s cold in the air and it’s time to start wrapping up warm: winters are here! And while there are many things you love about winters — steaming cups of tea, warm bowls of soup, and an abundance of fruits and vegetables — this is also the time when you need to take a little extra care of your hair and skin. The winter season can be quite brutal and is often the time when a lot of hair is lost, mainly because it is not being cared for properly.
Here are some of the things you need to keep in mind during winters, to ensure you have hair that everyone will fall in love with!
- Wash only when necessary – The hair and scalp are oily – in oily hair there is an excess, in dry hair there is less than necessary. But every time you shampoo your hair, you’re removing all the natural oils from your scalp, leaving it dry and brittle. During winters, it is essential that you wash your hair only once or twice a week and preferably with a paraben and SLS/SLES free shampoo.
- Olive oil or coconut oil – It doesn’t matter if you choose luxurious jojoba oil, luscious extra virgin olive oil, or the ever-reliable coconut oil, you want to make sure you oil your hair before every shampoo session. If what you want is to pamper your hair, you can even add a few drops of an essential oil such as rosemary, which is good for your hair. Alternatively, you can look at Ayurvedic oils with the goodness of brahmi, bhringaraj, amla, and other herbs. Whichever oil you choose, be sure to warm it up a bit and then massage it into your scalp and length of hair. Allow the oil to nourish your hair for a minimum of 30 minutes, before washing it off.
- Condition first, wash later – Many people tend to wash their hair first with shampoo and then with conditioner. However, if you go to any good hair and skin clinic , they will most likely tell you to do it the other way around. When you condition after shampooing, there is a chance that not all of the conditioner is removed; this can cause dirt and grime to stick to those conditioner particles and damage your hair. However, if you apply the conditioner first and then let the nourishment soak in, the shampoo will wash away all the excess and leave your hair feeling healthy and smooth.
- Hot or lukewarm water? – While it may feel good to be under a hot shower on a cold winter morning, your hair may not feel so good. Have you ever wondered why you use hot water to wash oily dishes? Because hot water will remove traces of oil faster and more efficiently. So naturally, when you pour hot water on your hair, all the natural oils will be washed out, making your hair dry and brittle, while also making your scalp dry and prone to flaking. No matter the season, it’s best to stick to lukewarm water for your hair.
- Hide those styling tools – Winters are that time of year, when your hair already feels very delicate; therefore, when you use harsh chemicals or styling tools that use extreme heat, you expose them to more potential damage. So, just during the winter months, keep those tools and styling products away and use them only when you really need them.
- pamper your hair – This is also the season to pamper your hair, whether you want to massage your hair with some warm oil or go all out for a proper hair spa, go ahead and do it. You can use a hair serum or even a night oil to make sure your hair gets the moisture it needs. Depending on your hair type, you can also look at hair masks, made with aloe vera, yogurt, or egg, as these can provide deep hydration.
Finally, as at any time of the year, make sure you drink plenty of water and eat sufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables, as these will provide you with the necessary nutrition from within.