How to Protect Your Hair in the Winter

In winter, rain, wind, and cold can damage your hair and make it dry and brittle. In addition, because of the ambient humidity, styling the hair becomes difficult and frizz is more difficult to tame. Fortunately, there are a few tricks to save your hair in the winter from humidity…

The consequences of cold and humidity on your hair

Straight, curly, curly, colored, short or long hair… No hair is spared from humidity in winter! How is it possible? During the wet season, the ambient air is charged with hydrogen, which impacts the keratin fibers that make up the hair. They then fall back on themselves. Add to that the contrast between humid outdoor air and dry indoor air, due to heating systems, and you end up with frizzy hair and hair whose static electricity sometimes becomes unmanageable. Scarves, hats, synthetic fibers… 

So many factors that further accentuate this phenomenon. In this season, the air is full of water, and the more a hair is porous, the more it will be sensitive to humidity. This is why frizzy, curly or frizzy hair suffers much more from humidity than straight hair. Indeed, the more the hair is coated, the less water vapor will be absorbed by it.

Protect your hair by deeply hydrating it

The scales of the hair are supposed to form a defensive barrier between exterior aggressions and the hair fiber. A sheathed hair will therefore be less prone to frizz. To reinforce this protective shield, it is necessary to smooth the scales of the hair to form a waterproofing film. To do this, you can support the moisturizing and nourishing power of your hair routine by applying a highly nutritious mask once or twice a week to all of your hair.

Also Read: How to Protect Your Hair From Heat Damage

Limit the use of certain ingredients

Hair products based on hyaluronic acid, honey, or glycerin have an unfortunate tendency to absorb the humidity present in the ambient air. Using a honey-based serum or fixative could accentuate frizz!

Avoid going out with wet hair

Damp hair is much better able to absorb even more moisture. It is therefore crucial not to go out before your hair is dry in winter, mainly if it is raining outside. The best solution is always to let it air dry. If you don’t have the option, using a hair dryer can also prevent your hair from swelling as soon as you walk through the door. Remember, however, to apply a heat-protecting product before your brushing in order to protect your hair fiber as much as possible.

Tie up your hair in wet weather

The best way to avoid frizz and breakage due to ambient humidity is still to tie your hair up on rainy days. African braid, low bun, ponytail… You have the choice to protect your hair from the humidity! In this way, your hair will be protected from humidity as much as possible and you will have less frizz.

Apply an anti-humidity product

Since you’re not the only one struggling with moisture issues for your hair, most major cosmetic brands offer a solution in the form of a spray, serum, or cream. These protective products will form an anti-humidity shield between your hair and the ambient air. Resistant to up to 80% humidity in the air, they are true allies in the war on frizz:

• BB Curl Moisture Control Gel-Oil – Bumble and Bumble;
• Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray – Color WOW;
• The Shield Humidity Spray – Amika.

Adapt your hair routine

Winter is the ideal season to alter your hair routine. We then opt for shampoos, conditioners, and more nourishing treatments, but also which help to fight against frizz. Products based on argan or sweet almond oil, for instance, will serve as a shield on your lengths and thus prevent moisture from penetrating your hair fiber. 

Here are our favorite ranges for frizz-free, deeply hydrated hair:

• Discipline – Kerastase;
• Smooth Infusion – Aveda;
• Smooth – Moroccanoil;

Don’t forget to wash your hair

Using lemon or vinegar in your wash water after shampooing is a well-known home remedy for bringing strength and shine to dull hair. But did you know that it also works in wet conditions? Indeed, the acidity of these components helps rebalance the scalp and thus fight against frizz and flyaways. The scales of the hair are well closed, which gives them shine but also covers them from the water vapor present in the air.

Photo: Pexels/ Ron Lach

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