Beat the Winter Blah!

Hi guys,

We are here to talk winter. We are here to talk about what happens to your hair and scalp during these coooooold winter months.

Cold and dry weather will lift the hair cuticle (the outer layer of the hair) ever so slightly causing the moisture in the hair to not be able to stay locked in the hair shaft. Without the moisture in the hair it makes the hair drier which in return will make the hair brittle. The lifting of the cuticle will causing frizzing, makes it very dry and will cause breakage.

What else can happen?

WIND can damage your hair. In wind the hair will easily snag and tangle when you are detangling your hair this can cause further damage and split ends. So wind can cause mini knots in the hair and that can lead to a bigger knot or rats nest which could be very difficult to get out. The wind will also take some of the moisture out of your hair causing damage and dryness. It also causes increased friction that can wear away the cuticle and create more damage.

What other effects happen during the winter months?

Your COLOR. Color treated hair can lose it vibrancy and shine. It can also leave it limp and dull. The reason it looks dull is because the hair is lacking moisture. One other big factor is the temperature of your shower. Hot water is harsh on your color.

What is an inconvenience during the winter months?

STATIC! Because the weather is dry and is lacking moisture static happens.

Seasonal hair loss is something that a lot of people do not know about. This happens again because the dry air outside sucks all the moisture out of your hair and scalp and dries them out. A dry scalp leads to dry hair and the dry hair results in breakage and hair fall. The heating system in your home will contribute to this as well.

Split ends- Because the hair is lacking moisture due to the climate this can also cause split ends. If you are also using excessive hot tools the split ends will end up causing more damage to the hair that you may think. It can travel UP the hair and give you the effect that your hair is not growing.

Did you know that winter affects your scalp too?

Scalp dryness is a HUGE factor in the winter months. This shows itself in ways like itching, flakes, and poor scalp health. It can also cause dandruff which is different that dry scalp. Cold winter air lacks the moisture that your scalp needs.

**Dandruff- it is seborrheic dermatitis a condition that turns the skin oily and red and scaly. The whitish yellow scales flake off creating dandruff. You can get it anywhere there are oil glands. Dandruff is often triggered by a fungus Malassezia that normally lives on the scalp. Some people have too much of it and the skin cells begin to multiply. Dandruff flakes are bigger and they look oily and can be sticky and harder to get out of the hair.

**Dry scalp- smaller white flakes, itchy scalp and can appear on other parts of your body. Your scalp is lacking the moisture that it needs to stay moisturized just like the rest of your body. This is caused by too much washing, hair products that are drying, weather changes (hot to cold)

Winter hats can be the perfect environment for dandruff. Under your hat it is warm/humid which will allow dandruff to thrive. So what do you do?

-Wash your hat regularly to rid any dandruff causing buildup. (Excessive oil, fungus, hair products etc.) Wash your hair a little more regularly after wearing hats.

Hot showers. We all love them but they can wreak havoc on your hair and scalp. Hot water in your shower damages the keratin cells that are found in the outer layer of the skin. This makes it harder for the cells to hold in moisture.

Ways to help

1. Shampoo less. Shampooing can strip your hair of the natural oils it needs during these months.

2. TURN DOWN the HEAT in the shower.

3. Add moisture to your hair! In the form of oils or masks. This can also be leave in products that are to add moisture to the hair.

4. Do NOT skip the conditioner.

5. Avoid excessive heat styling. ALSO as a general rule TURN down your hot tools because that will cause damage all year.

6. Wear a hat BUT wash it regularly and you can also ADD a silk or satin bonnet inside to protect the scalp and hair.

7. Buy a humidifier. I know this sounds crazy but since there is little to none moisture in the air a humidifier will add moisture back into the air and it will save your hair and scalp.

8. Get regular trims well you should all the time but especially in the winter months to help prevent split ends.

9. Eat healthy fats- omega 3 fatty acids keeps hair healthy and shiny. Things like adding salmon, avocado, and nuts will help.

10. Up the Vitamin C – vitamin c has antioxidant properties that help protect against split ends and breakage.

11. Stay hydrated. Drinking more water will keep the body hydrated meaning the skin will also stay hydrated. It can also SLOW hair growth if you aren’t getting enough water

12. Save your scalp by replenishing oils. Doing an oil treatment on your scalp weekly will help DRASTICALLY but be sure to get an oil that will not clog your pores or wont do damage. A good one is jojoba

13. Don’t go out with wet hair.

14. Deep condition once a week! USE A MASK one a week

15. Hydrate at night. Apply oils to the hair at night. It will help add moisture while sleeping

16. Use leave in conditioners to help combat frizz and the effects of dryness

17. If your hair has gone limp then add a little dry shampoo for some volume

What I use!

MONAT!

Oil- Rejuvenique oil (one to two times a week)

Leave in conditioner - Restore leave in conditioner (DAILY)

Mask- Hair transformation (Once a week)

Switch up the shampoo and conditioner you are using.

Something that is more suitable for the change in weather.

I use: Restructuring Hair Care Collection during the winter months to help combat the weather. Normally I use the Volumizing line that consists of Revive Shampoo and Revitalize Conditioner.

Keep your hair healthy out there ladies and gents!

xoxo,

Hairdresser Jess