How to Keep Your Hair Moisturized for the Winter and Dry Air

1. How to Keep Your Hair Moisturized for the Winter and Dry Air Dry winter air can wreak havoc on your skin and your hair, leaving both your skin and your scalp itchy and flaky. Though you can use good-quality lotion on your skin, it’s hard to do the same for your hair. The tips below will help you keep your hair soft, supple, and moisturized despite the frigid temperatures and bone-dry air. Don’t Wash-and-Go The wash-and-go technique is a process via which men and women alike shampoo their hair and immediately head out the door with their hair still damp. It’s a time-saver, and it’s certainly tempting, but this can actually invite more dryness and damage than you already have. In fact, depending on the temperature outside, your hair can even freeze and break. Make sure that you’re giving yourself enough time to dry your hair after a shampoo – either by wrapping it in a soft towel or t-shirt or by using a blow-dryer on its lowest setting. Deep Condition Twice a Week During the summer months, there’s a chance that you probably only deep condition once a week, and maybe even less frequently. The humid outdoor hair keeps your hair softer than winter air, so you can get away with deep conditioning less frequently. In the winter, the dry air saps the moisture from your hair, which means you’ll need to do your very best to keep it locked in. Use a high-quality deep conditioning salon masque or hydration therapy treatment to replenish your hair. Skip the Flat Iron It’s tempting to use a flat iron to get that sleek look you crave, especially during the winter, when humidity isn’t a factor and your style will look flawless for days. Unfortunately, heat is even more drying than the winter air, and the combination of the two can be brutal. Instead of using heat, consider playing up your natural curls or waves with a good- quality moisturizing mousse or styling cream. You can also try things like wet sets, pin curls, or even wraps which allow you extra styling room without having to use heat. If you do need to use heat, follow some expert guidelines to minimize the damage. Cover Up If you aren’t already keeping your hair protected at night while you sleep with a super-soft cap, you should be. If you struggle to sleep while wearing a cap, consider investing in some good silk or satin pillowcases at the very least, which won’t draw moisture out of your hair while you sleep – even if you toss and turn. When you go outside in the winter, you can also minimize drying by covering your hair with a soft scarf. Believe it or not, this one simple habit can help you keep your hair lively all winter long. If you’re prone to dry skin and/or dry hair, then you already know the struggles winter brings along with it. Fortunately, by following the tips above, you can make sure every hair day is as awesome as the last whether it’s 80 degrees outside or well below freezing.