5 ways : How to take care of your hair in Winter

HAIR Come December, and winter begins to set in. Despite the heat of Mumbai, one can tell that the cold is on it’s way because everything seems to get dryer – your skin, your lips and of course, your hair.

Winter Hair Care Tips

You might want to take extra care of your hair this winter so that your hair looks its very best for the New Year. Some Tips for hair care during the winter. 1) Washing the hair : In general, hair requires only a limited amount of washing, just enough to cleanse your hair of dirt. In winter you should be extra careful so that your natural hair oils are not depleted due to excessive washing. 2) Moisturizing : Add moisture to your hair. Especially necessary if you have had any chemical work on your hair. Look for a conditioner with cetyl alcohol. It is the best moisturizing agent and is derived from coconut. The molecular structure Of coconut is too large to penetrate the hair cuticle, but by extracting the molecule and altering its size you end up with cetyl alcohol. Another ingredient to look for is cetearyl alcohol. It is a very good moisturizing agent for conditioner and shampoo.Most people can get away with a good moisturizing conditioner. If your hair is very damaged or dry look for a moisturizing shampoo as well. It might be wise to ensure that you lock the moisture in. Hair is much more dense than skin. The layers of the cuticle are difficult to penetrate. Once you've used a good product that does penetrate and moisturize the hair you want to be sure to lock that moisture in. If you don't close the cuticle the moisture won't do you much good. A cold or cool rinse helps close the cuticle down and seal in the moisture. A teaspoonful of almond oil mixed with a teaspoonful of amla juice, massaged over scalp, will help those growing their hair. While amla prevents dandruff, almond will help thicken the hair and prevent premature graying. Also, almond oil is not greasy or sticky and so is a friendly massage tool. 3) Conditioning : Your hair will need lots of tender loving care in the dry season. One way is to condition it adequately. This means taking grandma’s advice and oiling it twice a week, especially if you are naturally prone to dry hair. Always try to leave the oil overnight and wash off the next day. Curly hair tends to be drier than straight hair and needs special attention in winter to prevent frizziness and split ends. If you have curly hair, don’t rinse out all your conditioner, or, reapply a very light coat after towel drying. Even if you have oily hair, you should apply a conditioner to the ends to help keep hair healthy and prevent frizziness and flyaways. 4) Reduce Static : A leave-on conditioner or hair mousse can get rid of static. Hair static is caused by lack of moisture in the hair. Use a brush with natural bristles and avoid brushing with brush made of plastic bristles. Or you could get a sheet of fabric softener and wipe across your hair. It helps control frizz too. 5) Trichology : Last but not least, do not forget your Trichologist, who is there to help you with all your hair woes. If you find that your hair looks shabby, do not hesitate to consult a Trichologist before your problem goes beyond mere seasonal blues.