WINTER HAIR HOW-T0

Cold weather can play havoc with our hair, so protect it against the elements with these tweaks to your everyday routine. By

Come winter, many of us tend to get so caught up in adapting our skincare routine to deal with icy temperatures and ramped-up central heating that our hair can end up neglected. If you have found yourself confronted with frizzier, lifeless and more damage-prone hair since the mercury dropped, you may well be guilty of this oh-so-common beauty faux pas.

The good news? There are plenty of ways to change up your routine to keep your hair looking and feeling healthier in the colder months – you just need to know where to start…

FIGHT THE FRIZZ

A problem for hair types across the spectrum, frizz is common in winter because lower levels of moisture in the air can make hair dry and brittle, worsening flyaways and breakage. “Frizz is most likely to strike when humidity levels change – and unfortunately, in terms of winter, this happens whenever we step from heated buildings into the chilly outdoors,” notes Anabel Kingsley, trichologist at hair care brand Philip Kingsley. “The best way to prevent winter frizz is to use products that smooth the cuticle and form a barrier between your hair shaft and water in the air.”

Keeping hair hydrated is also key, and a pre-shampoo treatment used weekly can help prevent the dryness that worsens frizz, while minimising heat (and using a heat protection product) will prevent alreadydryhairbecoming more parched and damaged. It’s important to rethink your towel-drying method too – no more of the frantic scrubbing with a towel, post-shower. Instead, use a microfibre towel (or a cotton T-shirt) to gently blot away moisture, wrapping it for gradual drying that won’t cause strands unnecessary friction.

Another incredibly important and often overlooked aspect of maintaining healthy hair is taking care of the scalp

properly. If your hair is feeling particularly limp, wearing warm hats may have led to increased oil on the scalp, and an astringent product – look for something with witch hazel or salicylic acid – can help both soothe skin and regulate oil production, on top of helping to combat any itchiness or flakiness caused by harsh conditions. “If your scalp is flaky and itchy, use a targeted antimicrobial shampoo and scalp toner,” says Kingsley. “It’s important to tackle dandruff ASAP, as it can cause and/ or worsen hair loss.”

GO SULPHATE-FREE

It may also be worth taking a look at your shampoo and conditioner and considering whether a sulphate-free formula is right for your hair type. Sulphates, which cause products to foam and lather, are a type of surfectant that draws dirt and grease from the hair – but for drier, curly and coloured hair, they could be too harsh and stripping, leading to dry and more frizzy hair.

Stress and diet can have an impact on hair and scalp health, and new research finds that four in five people have reported experiencing scalp problems related to the pandemic, so taking a holistic approach could help.

While stress can also lead to hormone imbalance and, in turn, greasier hair as well as hair loss, a diet without the right balance of proteins, carbohydrates, iron and vitamins might just be playing its part in poor hair health too.

Refreshing your hair care products and adopting an updated routine could be the approach you need to effectively winterproof your hair.