Winter-Proof your Hair

We want our hair to look beautiful everyday, but the cold of winter can take its toll. Breakage isn’t just summery harm but winters also leads to hair fall irrespective of the type of hair you have.

Cold temperatures, chilling winds along with the dry central heating means the scalp is more prone to dehydration, resulting in dryness. Following are some of the measures helpful in making hairs winter-proof:

Keep washing to a minimum

Restrict washing your hair to thrice a week, in order to restore the natural oils on scalp as well as hair. Also minimize the amount of heat styling in your routine.

Use a sulphate-free shampoo

Sulphate is the most common ingredient in shampoos and major cause of stripping out beneficial oils from damaged hairs. In winters it is advisable to limit chemical based shampoos.

Choose your conditioner carefully

It’s also important to invest in a really rich, thick and moisturizing conditioner – pick one that contains fatty acids and humectants, such as soy protein and panthenol. These ingredients help attract and retain moisture in the hair. Try to condition your hair after every wash.

Avoid Hot Showers

Its tempting to have a hot shower when its chilling outside but it is not healthy for scalp or hair as it strips away the essential oils for scalp and can lead to dandruff. It is always advisable to use lukewarm water for hair wash .

Oiling

Another hair care tip in winter is oiling the hair. Always remember to oil your hair. Keep the oil overnight and then wash off the next morning. Oiling makes your hair smooth; it conditions and gives a shiny and healthy look.

Almond oil is a great option for those who want voluminous hair. In other cases, Olive, Argon oil or Amla hair oils make a perfect hair setting. Check for Vitamin E while choosing your oil to give a boost to your tresses.

Cover your hair

Wear hat/cap to cover your hairs from strong cold winds. Scarfs and woolen hats tend to frizz out hair. Try using frizz control sprays if opting for woolen hats.

Check your diet

Eating foods that are rich in natural oils, minerals and vitamins will help to give your body everything you need to keep your hair looking healthier, as well as for your own general well-being during winter.

Make sure your diet includes plenty of Vitamin C, A, E, as well as iron and selenium, which can be found in a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, nuts and cereals.

When to reach out to your doctor

Excessive hair fall i.e hair fall more than usually noticed or by number more than 150 for longer period of time (>3 months) should never be ignored and a dermatologist should be consulted for same as soon as possible.

About the Consultant

Dr. Swati Mittal
SRV Mamata Hospital