Common winter hair problems and solution

From dull hair to dandruff and flyaways to split ends, winter can be one of the most hazardous seasons for your hair. Why? Blame humidifiers, heaters and all of those things we turn on in cold weather to keep us warm; they zap moisture from our immediate surroundings and thereby our locks, making them prone to dryness induced damage.

To help you get through this season without experiencing months of long bad hair days, we have jotted down common hair problems we face during winters and their solution:

Common winter hair problems and solution -

• Dry and flaky scalp

  A dry scalp can be more prevalent in winter and is often marked by small white flakes caused by the cold weather. In order for your hair to be strong and healthy, you need your scalp to be properly nourished. If your scalp is struggling, you may suffer from split and damaged ends, dandruff, skin dehydration and flaking, and as a result, you may lose hair.

  To look after your scalp, massage your scalp with an olive oil or coconut oil. Don’t rub the scalp vigorously, gently massage on your scalp with the help of your finger tips. Wash your hair with lukewarm water and not cold water. Hot water bath will strip your head of the moisture and will make it even drier. Another important thing is using leave-in conditioners after shampooing in order to keep your hair moist.

• Frizzy hair

  For those of you with longer hair, you might prefer to dry your locks at home before venturing out into the cold. As a result, you often use blow dryers. The increase in the use of heat on the hair can weaken individual hair follicles, causing the hair to dry out and become brittle. When you combine this with the weather conditions, the hair can become dry and frizzy, and it can look and feel unhealthy.

  To prevent this, try to keep the use of hairdryers and any other heated styling tool to a minimum, and allow your hair to dry naturally so that it is able to hold in all its vital nutrients. Even if you have to use the hair drier, try to keep it at least 6-inches away from your scalp. Towel dry your hair before you use the hair drier so that your hair can remain with the moisture content and doesn’t get stripped.

• Dull hair

  The effects of a dry, cold winter can also affect your hair colour, leaving it limp and dull. Prevent and protect with products for hair (especially if you have recently colored your hair) to revitalize locks and add shine.

• Split ends

  Somehow, split ends and dry hair tend to come out in full force during the winter. To correct the concurring issue of split ends, trim your hair at regular intervals.

  Think of a split end like a chipped nail: If you don't clip it or file it down, it will continue to chip; same with hair. It's important to protect your hair to keep this from happening.

• Flyaway hair & Static

  The lack of moisture in the winter air can be taxing, leaving hair dehydrated and overpowered by flyaways. Prevent hair from flying in unwanted directions by ramping up the conditioning hair falling treatments. To keep warm and avoid static, steer clear of wool and acrylic hats which can amp up the static and try to stick with cotton hats.