It’s winter once again – time for snuggly jumpers and hot chocolates by the fire. But what does winter mean for your hair? And how can you change your haircare routine to combat the extra strain that the cold weather places on it?
Why should you adapt your haircare routine for the winter weather?
Winter is not a kind season when it comes to your hair. Between the colder outside air, the intense, artificial heat of indoor air and the constant pulling on and off of hats, hair can become dehydrated and charged with static electricity. It becomes brittle and more prone to breakage. Far from ideal.
This is why, according to All Things Hair, 51.74% of people change their haircare routine in the winter months, taking extra care to nourish and protect it. Let’s look at how.
Essential winter haircare products
When it comes to changing your haircare routine for winter, you have plenty of options available. At the core of all such changes should be a focus on hydration and nourishment. In short, hydrated hair equals healthier hair.
If your budget allows, a combination of regular trims and deep moisturising treatments at your local salon will go a long way to ensuring your hair looks fabulous all winter long. However, you don’t have to head to the salon to hydrate your hair in winter. Conditioning treatments are widely available, from daily use conditioners designed to restore and nourish to oils and masks that provide a weekly, intensive burst of hydration.
Changes to your haircare routine
Of course, haircare isn’t just about products. There are plenty of other ways that you can protect your precious tresses as the temperature drops.
Taking a holiday from heat styling is one such measure. Do you blow-dry, straighten or curl your hair daily? If so, it could be time for a break. Applying intense heat to your hair damages it. With the winter weather also doing its worst, it makes sense to give your hair a helping hand by removing heat styling from the equation. If the thought fills you with fear, remember that even cutting out heat styling once per week is a step in the right direction.
The same is true of coloring and relaxing treatments. These can damage your hair, particularly over the longer term. As such, could you forgo your usual treatments and embrace your natural locks over the winter? And perhaps stick with your natural look even as we head into spring? Doing so could make a big difference to how healthy your hair looks and feels.
Let your hair down
Finally, if you always tie or clip your hair back, why not experiment with wearing it down more often during the winter months? Tying your hair back can put strain on the roots and can damage and break individual strands. So, let your hair down and revel in its natural glory this winter. Doing so might just keep your neck warmer too!