How to Get (and Keep) Wonderful Winter Hair

It happens to the best of us. We fall asleep all stuffed from Thanksgiving turkey and wake up not only to the reality of cold air and snow, but we suddenly look like an eleven year old Hermoine Granger. Ugh! Cold weather can be hard on people for a lot of reasons, but one reason that seems universal is the damaging affect winter can have on hair. One day your locks can double as a Brillo pad and the next they just hangs there all limp and greasy looking. The more you try to wash it and style it the worse it seems to get. What can you do? The good news is, it doesn't have to be that way. And no it won't take a four month vacation to the Caribbean to protect your hair from the winter wind and cold. With a few sensible precautions, your hair can look beautiful all year round- even in the winter.

Don't wash your hair too often, and use warm or cold water. Cold water in the winter, am I mad? (Perhaps, but that's beside the point.) Even manning (or womanning) up to rinse away your daily conditioner can help tremendously. The idea of hot showers can sound heavenly, especially when you've just come in from the cold, but protect your hair with a shower cap until the water cools down a bit. Also, limit your hair washing to once a day with a replenishing shampoo and a daily conditioner. If you do feel the need to wash your hair more often, consider using a dry shampoo. Baby powder can actually fill this role. Just sprinkle some in your hair and comb it out.

Once your hair is washed it's best to let your hair dry naturally or under the cool setting of the hair dryer. High heat is another shock to your hair that will only encourage further drying and fly-aways. Avoid curling irons or crimping irons if you can. If you do use these heated styling tools, use a leave in conditioner to minimize any damage. If you are still experiencing static and fly-aways, these can be tamed by spraying hairspray on a hairbrush before running it through your hair.

You also want to be careful not to go outside with wet hair. If you're really rushed for time you can try the baby powder trick. Your hair could break if it freezes in the cold winter air, besides it makes you really, really cold. When you do go out cover your hair with a hat or scarf to protect it from the cold and wind. Be careful not to choose a hat that fits too tightly, since it is necessary to keep good circulation in your scalp. Wearing hats too often can also over work sebaceous glands and leave your hair feeling limp and greasy.

Lastly, you will want to listen to your hair stylist - albeit with a grain of salt since he/she might be fishing for a commission from products sold at her salon. While some winter hair care advice can apply to almost anyone, no two heads are completely alike. Your hair stylist will be able to determine characteristics of your particular hair and offer recommendations of products that will keep you looking great all winter long. If salon prices are a little steep you can always use the recommendations to research quality alternatives. It's your hair. You want it to look it's best.

Resources:

http://www.haircareguide.com/winter.htm

http://www.mamashealth.com/hair/