How To Protect Your Hair In Winter Weather

Winter. What's there to like about it? Some might say crisp sunny days, an open fire, and winter coats. But, what people are certainly not saying is hydrated, air-dried hair.

High winds, lack of moisture in the air, low temperatures, torrential downpours, blow drying, central heating, and friction from scarves: they all come together throughout this wonderful season and work against us to make even the most low maintenance of people work harder to combat split ends, flaky scalps, and knots and tangles.

No wonder the hashtag #winterhairstyle has over 28.6 million views on TikTok.

Newsweek spoke to Belgium-based hairdresser of 27 years Jurgen Meerschaert, also known as Hair Buddha, who has made a name for himself posting reactionary videos to hair successes and failures on TikTok and Instagram, with over 600,000 followers across the two platforms.

The key to healthy hair in winter is "moisture, moisture, moisture" says Jurgen. "Cold winter air holds less moisture than warm air, so your skin and hair dry out quickly. You may enjoy the cold winter but your hair definitely does not.

The crucial thing to remember is to keep your hair smooth and hydrated and you can protect your hair from becoming fragile with these tips!"

1. Avoid Washing Your Hair Too Frequently

Many shampoos can strip your hair of their natural oils, "which leads to dryness and irritation," says Jurgen. "Try to aim to shampoo your hair as little as twice a week." If you have greasy hair, Jurgen says you can "train your scalp by letting it get greasy for a day or two, then washing it.

"Over time your hair will regulate itself and be less greasy between washes. Wear your hair in a ponytail so it's less obvious." Many of us wash our hair when the style starts to fade, but try refreshing it simply with water, without the shampoo, he says.

2. Buy A Humidifier

"Ever wondered why your hair reacts to static electricity in the winter?" asks Jurgen. "Indoor heating sucks all the moisture out of the air, as well as your hair and skin. I remember as a child that my grandparents would keep a pot of water on the radiator to make sure the air was hydrated. We don't do that anymore."

3. Apply Conditioner After Every Wash And Use A Mask

While shampoo can strip your hair, good conditioners can add moisture back in.

"Use a conditioner with nourishing and moisturizing ingredients to lock it in your hair when braving the wintery conditions," says Jurgen. " You can also oil your hair once a week to protect it."

4. Don't Use Hot Water

On a cold morning it can be very tempting to step into a piping hot shower, "but again," says Jurgen, "the hot water can remove natural oils from your hair and scalp. Use lukewarm water, and if you can bear it, let the cold water flow at the very end, it will help seal the cuticles."

5. Use A Microfibre Towel Or An Old T-Shirt

Wrapping your hair in an old t-shirt has been a popular trend for some time now, possibly because it actually works.

"Drying your hair with a rough towel causes breakage, and creates frizz and knots," says Jurgen, so "try an old t-shirt around your head and wait, or try using a softer microfibre towel."

6. Wear A Hat

Again, not groundbreaking, however, remembering to have a hat on us at all times during the winter months, "minimizes your hairs exposure to rain, snow and cold winds," says Jurgen.

"You can use a dry oil spray under the hat to fight the frizz and keep your hair protected until you get back inside."

7. Never Leave The House With Wet Hair

We're all busy, moving at 100 miles per hour, and the cold, rainy winter months are no exception.

Quite apart from leaving yourself wide open to catching a cold, Jurgen argues that leaving the house with wet hair "can cause breakage as the water in the cold air expands the hair shaft, lifting the cuticles and causing it to break off, leaving you with uneven lengths of hair and split ends."

It may mean waking up ten minutes earlier, but your hair will thank you!

8. Avoid Styling Tools With High Temperature

This may seem like an obvious one, but regularly applying high temperatures is never a good idea, especially when your hair is already struggling.

"Set your straightener or curling iron to the lowest temperature" advises Jurgen. "Your hair is already low in moisture during the winter, and using heat tools can cause hair breakage. Always remember to use heat-protective products!"

9. Split Ends? Get A Cut ASAP

Winter is particularly tough on the ends of our hair, and many of us suffer from scraggly styles throughout. "Not getting your hair cut regularly makes it worse over time," explains Jurgen.

"A regular trim will prevent your hair from looking damaged, and will mean you need less length taken off. Make sure you have a good chat with your hairdresser about the exact amount you want off."

10. Healthy Foods, Healthy Hair

Your hair and skin are, to some extent, an indication of a healthy diet and lifestyle.

"Food that is rich in protein is important for creating and maintaining strong and shiny hair," says Jurgen. These can include eggs, almonds, Greek yogurt, lentils, fish, and pumpkin seeds.