Winter Hair Care - Dos and Don'ts

Many people find the winter months are tough on their hair, but you don't want to suffer with dry, brittle, dull or damaged locks during the festive season - just think of all those glamorous Christmas parties you need to attend! From using the best hair care products to getting a hat that fits, follow our simple dos and don'ts for winter hair care and you'll be sure to stay glossy and supple all the way through into spring.

DO: Protect your hair from the elements

Special care should be taken when going out in wintery conditions. When you're going outside on a cold and blustery day, a scarf or hat can protect your hair, although continuously wearing hats can have the reverse effect. Make sure your headwear is not too tight because otherwise this can lead to limp and greasy hair as a result of overworked sebaceous glands. Try not to go out on a very cold day while your hair is wet, as the hair can freeze and is at high risk of breakage.

DON'T: Shampoo too often

A lot of winter hair care is to do with keeping the hair well moisturized, as the cold weather and central heating combined can have the effect of drying out the hair. Shampooing the hair too often can exacerbate dryness just at the point when the hair and scalp are drying out more easily. Try not to shampoo more than once a day, and aim to use only high quality hair care products which actively moisturize the hair. Look for the word 'replenish' as this means the product will add moisture to the hair. You can lock in moisture and add shine by running the hair under cold water after shampooing.

DO: Use a good conditioner

Perhaps more than at other times of the year, in winter conditioning your hair can really make a difference to its feel and appearance, and professional hair care products are a must when conditioning. Use a top quality, moisturizing conditioner each time you wash. Ideally, once a week, use a richer conditioner, slather on and wrap the hair in a towel for ten minutes. This allows moisture to penetrate more deeply into the hair as a result of the humid environment created. When styling, a silicone-based serum can help to tame the frizz and increase moisture levels even further.

DON'T: Overdo it on the hot tools

During winter, the hair is exposed to extreme temperatures, and this is the major reason for its suffering. Outdoor weather combined with central heating increase static and dryness, as do tools such as curling irons and blow dryers. While you cannot escape from the first two problems, you can limit your use of hot items, as well as protecting the hair by applying a leave in conditioner before use. Washing the hair in warm water rather than hot water can also help, as can using the 'cool' setting on your hairdryer. This can mean that drying your hair takes longer, but the damage done should be reduced.

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