Along with a chance to relish sipping on warm beverages while snuggling with a cozy blanket during cooler evenings, winter also brings an onslaught of hair woes like excessive hair loss. Much to your dismay, this reality not just drains out the spirit of this cheery season but also impacts your self-image. A study conducted by the International Journal of Trichology explained the correlation between hair loss and winters. It further explains that the dry air zaps out all the moisture present on your scalp and hair strands, thereby making your hair prone to breakage. Another study conducted in the early months of 2018 found that people with thin hair experience more hair loss during winters.
EFFECTIVE TECHNIQUES
- Hydrate your scalp overnight
- Avoid taking hot showers
- Don’t shampoo frequently
- Double up on your conditioner
- Cut down on heat styling
1. Hydrate your scalp overnight
Dry night tends to leech the moisture content from your scalp as well as your hair strands, thereby making your manes vulnerable and prone to hair fall. This is where the importance of overnight hydration arises. Overnight hydration lends much-needed nourishment to your scalp and manes while helping you avoid any friction. Practicing hot oil treatments is one of the best ways to hydrate your hair overnight without damaging it in the process. A research study presented by the Tulane University School of Medicine unravels numerous benefits of hot oil treatments for scalp and manes. According to the study, hot oil treatments stimulates and elevates the blood circulation overnight, thereby delivering optimum hydration and strength to your hair follicles. It assists in effectively preventing excessive hair fall while helping to tame frizzy hair at-home.
Directions to apply
- Thoroughly wash your scalp and manes with a mild shampoo as a clean scalp allows the oil to penetrate deeper within your hair cuticles.
- Warm 6-7 tablespoons of oil in a microwave for 10 seconds.
- Test a small amount of oil on the back of your wrist to check its temperature.
- Gently massage the oil on your scalp and manes while brushing any knots with your fingers.
- Lastly, cover your head with the help of a bandana or a shower cap to prevent staining your pillowcase.
- Wash your tresses the following morning with a good shampoo and conditioner.
2. Avoid taking hot showers
With a dip in temperature, steamy warm showers and baths certainly sound like a blessing. However, you would be surprised to know that these warm showers cause more damage than benefits when it comes to your manes. Top hair specialists explain that the warm showers tend to zap the moisture content from your scalp and tresses, thus propelling your hair to turn dry and unmanageable. Moreover, it makes your tresses comparatively vulnerable and prone to breakage. As a result, hot showers usually becomes a factor contributing to hair loss, dry hair, flaky scalp etc. Washing your manes with lukewarm water and following it with a cool rinse instead will help you obtain the best of both worlds.
3. Don’t shampoo frequently
Studies show that over-shampooing can smoother your scalp, thus creating unwanted itch and flakes. Moreover, excessive shampooing is also known to cause various severe scalp and hair issues like dry manes, dandruff, hair fall etc. As a result, we would recommend limiting the times you shampoo your manes. Doing so will help in cleansing your tresses without weighing them down or damaging them in the process.
4.
Double up on your conditioner
As might be expected, hair conditioner is an essential step of any hair care regimen, irrespective of your scalp and hair type. Numerous hair experts suggest doubling up your conditioner during winters in order to attain smooth and silky manes. The best way to reap the maximum benefits of your hair conditioner is by sectioning your manes in 3-4 halves before applying conditioner to them. Practicing this hair care technique at least twice a week will accord fruitful results.
5. Cut down on heat styling
According to various trichologists, the heat generated by the styling tools tends to strip away the moisture present in your scalp and tresses. This eventually results in rough manes, split ends, hair loss etc. This is why many experts recommend taking a break from heavy heat styling.
Following these tips and tricks along with a proper hair care regimen will help you maintain your hair health without worrying about the cool winds. Neglecting your manes will only worsen their condition. As a result, we would urge you to not let those cozy blankets or delicious beverages deter you from looking after your manes.
P.S.
Similar to weekly skin pampering, your hair requires some TLC (tender loving care) as well. Studies show that engaging in a weekly hair mask treatment makes a significant difference when it comes to hair loss. A hair mask containing potent ingredients like hydrolysed pea protein and ceramides restores the damaged strands by lending protein-rich deep nourishment. Moreover, it helps to flatten the raised hair cuticles while smoothening your manes into a perfect velvety texture.
