My top tips for healthy winter hair

I don't know about you, but I've been struggling with dull and lifeless hair lately. Winter seems to have been colder for longer this year and it has been playing havoc with our skin and hair.

We are all so good at protecting our hair from the sun but it’s just as important to protect it in winter from the wind and heating in our homes and cars - it can be so dehydrating!

A lot of you have told me that you've been noticing changes with your hair and scalps condition so I have put together a few hits and tips that could help you through the next couple of months.

You can also book in for a personalised package specific to your hair needs next time I see you.

6 tips for healthy hair

1. Shampoo less frequently

This allows your hair’s natural oils to moisturize your hair—something any hair type benefits from. When you do wash, avoid harsh shampoos (like those with sulphates, for example, which can strip your hair). Instead, use ones made with moisturizing oils and botanicals to keep your hair smooth and elasticity.

Before you shampoo make sure you saturate your hair with water first and rub the shampoo between both palms before you apply it to your hair, this allows the product to activate and enables you to get more of an even application, try it, you will be surprised at the difference it makes!

2. Condition religiously

If there’s one key to keeping your hair soft and silky, it’s smoothing on the right nourishing hair treatment after every shampoo—it makes a huge difference in the way your hair looks and feels. Think of it like using soap on your face and not moisturising afterwards, you will leave your hair open and raw, allowing pollutants in and external damage.

Activate the product by rubbing it between your palms before you apply to the hair, use a stroking method down the lengths of your hair and always use a wide tooth comb or tangle teezer to comb the products through the hair to ensure it is evenly distributed and can do its job correctly, you will find you will use much less product this way and get a beautiful result.

Once a week swap your conditioner for an intensive mask and leave this on for five to ten minutes, these penetrate deeper into the hair shaft and help to repair any previous damage and maintain the quality of the hair for the future, leaving it easier to manage, style and frizz free.

3. Smooth with a leave-in

Every hair type benefits immensely from an added leave-in step, whether you use a spritz, a cream, or an oil. Smooth or spray it through towel-dried hair from the midlengths to the ends before styling as usual. Straight, fine hair can get oily and too shiny, so you need just the tiniest amount of leave-in on the ends if that’s your hair type. Some have U.V protection in so will help to prevent colour fade too.

4. Use the highest quality stylers

We wouldn’t dream of going out into the sun without protection on our skin so we must do the same with our hair when we use heat. When you use heat tools, never turn them up to the max heat setting to finish styling more quickly. Think of it like cooking: if you put oil in a scalding hot pan, the oil smokes and burns. To avoid burning your hair, choose tools with adjustable heat settings, and for an extra layer of defence, apply heat protectant before using any hot tools. These also help to keep your hair smooth and frizz free!

5. Take vitamins to support healthy hair

Hair and skin is mainly made up of protein, so we need to ensure we're getting enough of this in our diets and supplements. Eating a diet full of omega-3s and antioxidants helps support super soft and shiny hair. You can also get essential healthy-hair nutrients from this daily multivitamins.

6. Schedule regular trims

A good trim goes a long way in making your hair look and feel healthier. Everyone’s hair grows at a different rate, but a general rule of thumb is getting your hair cut every six to eight weeks to keep it healthy.

I hope this answers a few questions for you and will help you manage your winter hair.

Please feel free to ask for specific advice on your individual hair needs at your next appointment or book an online consultation with me and we can discuss a future plan for you.