It’s that time of year again when you notice your skin is feeling a little drier than usual, nails break more easily and hair starts to rebel like a stubborn teenager, refusing all attempts to tame it!
Winter is one of the toughest seasons for your hair. Cold winds, central heating and then switching between warm rooms and chilly outdoor temperatures, all create havoc. Just as an excess of humidity in summer can make your hair so much harder to deal with, so can a lack of it in winter – the result; dry, brittle and frizzy locks in need of a huge helping of TLC.
Why Does My Hair Dry Out So Much In Winter?
The colder the air surrounding us becomes, the less water it can hold. If it becomes cold and dry enough it can cause us to lose water from our skin and hair. This process is known as trans-epidermal water loss or TEWL. It can dry skin and hair out, making skin rougher and hair more brittle.
As the colder weather also causes the blood vessels in your skin to contract, both skin and hair follicles receive less blood, resulting in less oxygen and fewer nutrients being delivered to these areas. This makes it harder for your scalp to produce and maintain healthy strands of hair and can also lead to a range of scalp conditions, including a sensitive, itchy or flaky scalp.
So what can you do? Whilst there are certainly products out there to help with post-damage recovery, prevention is always better than cure. We’ve taken a look at a few simple measures you can adopt today to help combat winter damage.
How Can I Prevent Damage To My Hair In Winter?
Wash Your Hair Less Frequently
The single most effective way to limit winter damage is to wash your hair less frequently. Hot water strips the moisture from hair causing it to become brittle and prone to breakage. Where possible, try to allow the natural oils from your scalp to build up between washes as this has a moisturising effect. If you have oily hair therefore, try to reduce washes to every other day. If you have a dry scalp, try not to wash hair more often than every three or four days.
Avoid Going Outdoors With Damp Or Wet Hair
There is a greater risk of damage to your hair if you venture outside before drying it. The colder weather causes the water molecules in your hair to expand, making it far more vulnerable to breakage when wet.
Sleep And Hydrate
Not getting enough sleep can affect the secretion of hormones; weakening hair follicles and causing a loss in hair density whilst also making it appear dry and dull.
Similarly, a lack of hydration will also have a negative effect. Mild levels of dehydration will make hair appear less healthy than usual. In more severe cases however, tresses can become thin, dry and brittle leading to greater breakage over the winter months.
Up Your Omega-3 Intake
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (fish and other seafood, nuts, seeds and plant oils) support healthy hair growth. They are also recognised for their anti-inflammatory properties. Scalp inflammation can cause the body’s immune system to attack the hair follicles, resulting in higher levels of hair loss.
Wear A Hat
Wearing a hat can be an effective way to reduce drying and damage however it should always be made from a material that allows your skin to breathe. Wearing a hat that is either too tight or made from a fabric that makes your scalp sweat, can make matters worse so opt for hats made from natural fibres, such as wool or cotton.
Avoid Over-Styling
Hairdryers and hot tools cause additional stress to winter hair as they suck moisture from the strands, leaving them brittle and therefore more vulnerable to the harsh elements of winter. Where possible, allow hair to dry naturally.
If you need to blow-dry, or wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without running a pair of tongs through your hair, make sure you use a heat protection spray; such as Sebastian Professional Trilliant Heat Protection Spray (£25) or the Insight Intech Heat Protection Shield (£20.50). These products will help to seal in the moisture, creating a protective barrier between your hair and the heat. 
Switch Up Your Hair Care Routine
If you haven’t already, switch to a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner designed for your hair type, as these are far less damaging to your hair than their sulfate-containing counterparts. Remember, not all sulfate-free products are created equal though, so it’s worth investing in a good quality one as these tend to contain gentler cleansing agents.
If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve done the homework for you. Check out our range of sulfate-free shampoos and conditioners.
Invest In A Mask
If your budget will allow, incorporate the use of a hair mask into your weekly routine as this will help to replace lost moisture and keep hair looking healthy and hydrated. These don’t have to cost the earth and start from a very pocket-friendly £14 (full-size) or £5 (travel-size). Take a peek here to find the right one for your hair needs.
If You Need Something More …….
Sometimes all we need is to be a little more aware so that we can tweak our routines to adapt to the changing weather conditions. If, however, you feel your hair is already beyond the ‘prevention’ option and showing signs of being badly damaged, we have a number of products that offer a deeper level of nourishment and repair.
Authentic Beauty Concept’s Replenish collection and the Insight for Damaged Hair range both provide the extra moisture and nutrients that damaged tresses will need. Combine these with either a K18 Repair Hair Mask (£25) or Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector (£27), both widely recognised for their damage reversal properties, and your hair will be well on the way to recovery in no time.
If your hair or scalp is being adversely affected by the winter weather and you would like more in-depth advice on the best products for your needs, please contact a member of the team on enquiries@josephferraroonline.co.uk
Joseph Ferraro Hair (JFH) Ltd is a team of professional stylists that deliver exceptional hairdressing services for the individual. Owned and founded by Authentic Beauty Concept Ambassador and North Eastern Hairdresser of the Year (2016), Joseph Ferraro, the JFH team is dedicated to providing expert hair care. Should you need further information or advice on our range of products or wish to speak to a member of the team, please email enquiries@josephferraroonline.co.uk