It’s the most wonderful time of the year - but is it taking its toll on your hair? If you struggle with dry or damaged locks when the Winter weather arrives, you’re not alone. Many people find that as the temperature drops, so do the moisture levels in their hair, making it prone to breakage, frizz and damage. This is not only bad news for your hair health, but it can also make it harder to style. With the Christmas party season just around the corner, you want your hair to feel merry and bright, right? Well here are our top tips for keeping hair hydrated, healthy and happy throughout the holidays and into the New Year.
Go easy on the heat
If you’re heading out to a fancy, festive event this Winter you might be trying out a special occasion style on your hair - and this probably involves some heat styling. Whether you’re straightening, crimping, blow drying or curling, heat is the number one enemy of hair hydration.
Heat breaks down the protein in hair making it brittle, weak and vulnerable to damage. On top of that, excessive heat styling can irritate the scalp and make it sweat, leading to greasy hair and flakiness - definitely not what you want to top off your Christmas party look!
To save your hair from drying out before New Years try to limit your use of heated styling tools to about once a week. It could also be a good idea to add some tools to your Christmas list that are kinder to your hair. Investing in a cold air brush is worth it when it comes to avoiding damage and you could also look into our Tangle Teezer Blow-Drying Tools which have all been created with your hair health in mind.
Shampoo the right way
Did you know that the root of a lot of hair dryness problems starts in the shower? And at the root of your hair actually! The way you shampoo your hair can have a massive impact on how it looks and feels. Some people use too much shampoo which can lead to product build-up, whilst others don’t clean their hair thoroughly enough. Effective cleaning helps to avoid greasiness as well as dandruff and dryness, so understanding the right way to shampoo your hair is essential - especially during the Winter months.
To make sure your hair is squeaky clean this Christmas, first, choose the right shampoo for your hair type. When picking a shampoo, think about your hair type and what is happening at the roots. If you have fine hair that is prone to greasiness you may want a volumising shampoo - whereas if your hair is dry and damaged you may want something with more of a moisture boost.
Then you want to spend a good couple of minutes massaging the shampoo deep into your scalp. Our Scalp Exfoliator and Massager tools are perfect for this, as it helps to thoroughly clean the scalp whilst removing dead skin and stimulating the root of your hair. Finally, make sure to rinse thoroughly! Leftover products can really dry your hair out, so take your time and make sure every last bit of shampoo is washed away.
Eat your way to healthier hair
Hair health isn’t just about what products we use or styling choices we make - it’s also about what we put in our bodies. Nutrition plays a huge role in every function of our body, including the growth and protection of our hair. Dry hair can be caused by vitamin deficiencies so make sure you are eating a healthy, balanced and nutritious diet (not always easy when the holidays make it tempting to start and finish your day eating chocolate!).
Some of the most important nutrients for healthy hair are proteins, as this is largely what our hair fibers are made up of. Sources of protein include eggs, milk and lean meats, but if you’re vegan you can also get a protein boost through nuts, seeds and pulses. Omega-3 fatty acids also play an essential role in keeping hair looking healthy and shiny - and you can find these in fish like salmon and herrings as well as flaxseed and chia seeds.
Another key factor in hair hydration is keeping our bodies hydrated! Make sure you are drinking plenty of water (at least 8 glasses a day) and try to eat foods that are full of water too - like cucumber and watermelon.
Don’t forget the scalp and ends
If you want luscious locks from root to tip a super hydrating mask can help keep your scalp healthy and your ends moisturized. This can help to avoid damage that will make hair look dull and also make it prone to breakage and split ends.
We recommend using hair masks about once a week - there are some great ones on the market or you can even try something natural like coconut oil or avocado. Massage your chosen mask into your scalp and through right to the ends of your hair. Then simply wrap your hair in a warm towel for 15 minutes whilst the mask works its magic (a perfect chance to wrap Christmas presents or make a festive cocktail!) and then wash out thoroughly to reveal hair that’s soft and moisturized.
Rosemary oil has also become increasingly popular for treating dry, damaged hair. Fans of the viral trend have found that adding rosemary oil to their hair self-care routine reduces dandruff, repairs damage and leaves hair soft so why not try suggesting a few drops into your scalp for a luxurious but cost-effective treatment?
The Winter months might take some of hair’s natural luster away but there is so much you can do to protect and nourish your hair during this time. If all you want for Christmas is healthy, hydrated hair that looks and feels amazing - follow these tips and you might just get your wish!
If you’re looking for more tips on how to care for your hair this holiday season, why not check out our articles on looking after coloured hair or preventing mechanical and material damage?
