Prevent Winter Hair Damage by Following These Hacks

Posted on February 09, 2023

In preparing for colder temperatures, we winterize our homes by sealing air ducts and windows or stocking up on blankets and firewood. However, adjustments must also be made to personal care routines because our bodies are also affected by the change in seasons. Colder winter air is significantly drier than the summertime, and as a result, your hair will struggle to retain moisture, leaving it dry and damaged.

The good news is that you can combat damage to your hair by infusing it with hydration, and by following a few winter hair care tips. To prevent your hair from losing its luster, you’ll want to avoid chemical products and instead opt for some of these easy winter hacks using natural alternatives. 

1. Cut Back on Use of Heat Styling

Using heating elements on your hair can dry it out even more and damage keratin, so winter is not the time for excessive use of blow dryers, hair straighteners, curling irons, or other styling elements that remove moisture from your already dry hair.

If you can’t get around styling it, you can help prevent this by applying a heat protectant on your dry hair such as coconut oil before using a ceramic curling or flat iron on a lower setting. Coconut oil has a high smoke point and adds a layer of protection between your hair and the heating element, and Seven Minerals’ vegan coconut oil has the added benefits of being non-GMO and cruelty-free. If you’re covering your entire head, you’ll want to heat the oil first, and then mix it in a spray bottle with water. 

2. Don’t Shower Everyday

We get it: few things are as inviting in the winter as a hot shower after a trek outside in the cold, but every time you lather up, you’re removing your skin’s natural oils. Similar to using heating elements, over showering in high temperatures can damage your hair’s keratin, so turn that dial down and use lukewarm water instead. 

The fewer showers you take, the less you’ll need to use heating elements to dry it, so it’s a win-win for your hair. Besides, most experts agree that to maintain healthy hair, you only need to wash it every two or three days. When you do hop in the shower, it’s best to apply a natural hair care product that’s sulfate free because sulfates remove both natural oil and water — leaving your hair clean, but also very dry. 

Winter hair care takes more planning — you certainly don’t want to go outside with a wet head of hair. Colder temperatures can wreak havoc on your wet hair because the water molecules expand, and in turn, cause the hair shafts to expand as well — leaving your hair expose to potential damage. Your hair can also stiffen (like it's frozen) and is more likely to break, leading to split ends and frizz. To avoid this, allow enough time to towel and air dry your hair indoors (as much as possible) to minimize how much heat you’ll need to use with a blow dryer. Consider creating a shower schedule for your calendar to allow enough time for proper hair care.

3. Rethink Second Day Hairstyles

Day two hair can be fickle, so rather than leave your hair down, opt for buns, braids, low ponytails, or updos with headbands. Winter is a great time to get creative with new styles to help you stick to a less-frequent shower regimen.

If you have curly or wavy hair, you can use a texture spray to liven up day-two winter hair and give your curls some bounce with just a few quick spritzes. Store bought texture sprays often contain chemicals that dry out hair, but you can make a DIY texture spray using natural, vegan products. 

To make the natural texture spray, you’ll need the following:

1. One tablespoon of sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
2. One cup lukewarm water
3. One to two tablespoons of coconut oil or castor oil
4. One tablespoon aloe vera gel
5. Essential oils of your favorite scent (like lavender, rosemary, or peppermint)
6. Spray bottle

4. Try a Hair Mask

Coconut oil isn’t just great as a heat protectant for styling: it also works wonders as the main ingredient in a hair mask. Hair masks act as a conditioning treatment to nourish hair in the winter, and are especially helpful for dry, frizzy, or damaged hair. They can boost shine and infuse some life into dull hair and even help stimulate hair growth.  

There are many variations of hair masks, but honey, coconut oil, and eggs are a common — and effective — hair mask to try in the winter. Both the egg yolks and honey help to moisturize, while the eggs also add biotin and vitamins A and E. The coconut oil seals in this moisture. 

Here’s how to make the mask:

1. Warm up two tablespoons of coconut oil and mix it with one egg and one tablespoon of honey. 
2. Whisk thoroughly and apply it from the scalp to the roots. 
3. Let it sit for about 30 minutes before thoroughly rinsing the ingredients. 

5. Use a Humidifier

Your furnace is pumping out hot, dry air throughout your home so using a humidifier indoors —particularly in your bedroom — overnight can help. Some humidifiers require distilled water, while others can use tap water or even some essential oils for a soothing fragrance to your space. They also require some basic maintenance, but it’s well worth it to keep your hair looking soft and healthy. Don’t overdo it though: the ideal level of humidity in a home should be between 30 and 50 percent.  

We suggest customizing these winter hair care tips to see what works best for you and your hair type. There is no one-size-fits-all, but utilizing natural hair care alternatives in your winter routine as much as possible can hydrate and moisturize your hair better than synthetic, chemical products. 

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