Fall and Winter Hair Maintenance Part I

The cold weather is fast approaching, and for those of us who experience all four seasons, we know how unforgiving the cold conditions can be to our tresses.  While I don’t deviate too far from my normal haircare routine, I am conscious about what products I put on my hair during the colder, drier months.

To keep your hair healthy during the harsh weather, you must establish a general haircare routine that works for you.  Not a routine that works for me, or your stylist, or your co-worker.  A haircare routine tailored just for YOU based upon your personal hair needs.  You are your hair’s best advocate.

So, where do you begin?

Check the dew point.

• The lower the number, the drier the air will be.
• Dry air can be harmful to hair, especially the ends, and can cause curly hair to become frizzy and unmanageable.  [This is not exclusive to the cold weather of course, if you live in a dry climate year round, this also applies.]

Sideline your humectants.

• Put away your humectant shampoos, conditioners, and treatments that helped you retain moisture in the warmer months.  Look for products that contain high amounts of: glycerin, honey, glyceryl triacetate, propylene glycol, sorbitol, collagen, or pathenol for example.
• Humectants attract moisture from the atmosphere.  When the dew point is moderate to high, humectants keep your hair [and skin] moist.  When the dew point is low, humectants can do the opposite and draw moisture from your hair because there is none to draw from in the atmosphere.
• Save your humectant products for moderate to high humidity days.

Condition your hair.

• If you aren’t regularly deep conditioning your hair, start.
• Most of the moisture your hair receives will be on wash day.  Your goal is to retain it, so this may mean conditioning your hair more often.

Emollients = Yummy.

• Invest in products that have emollient properties.
• Emollients promote hydration, soften hair, and seal in moisture.
• Look for products containing large amount of castor oil, jojoba oil, cetyl alcohol, shea butter or coconut oil.  The thicker and more moisturizing the better.
• Check the labels.  Emollient ingredients should be high on the list.  Choose a product with plenty of fatty acids and oils to help retain moisture.

 

Thanks for reading Part I.  Much more to come!  Check back for more tips and product ideas.

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Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)

• Fall and Winter Hair Maintenance Part III
• Winter Hair Tip #1
• My Hair Mondays
• Winter Hair Care Advice