The official start of winter is just around the corner, but in many parts of the country, winter weather is in full effect. But even if the weather outside is frightful, your hair can still be delightful! Follow these winter hair care tips so you can keep your strands looking great all season long. 

Issue 1: Hat Hair

Here at Toppik, we love hats for both fashion and function. However, there’s nothing fashionable about having flat, lifeless hair whenever you remove your beanie. Hats tend to lock in heat, which is great for keeping warm, but that same heat causes your hair to bend and conform to the hat’s snug shape.

The key to preventing hat hair is give yourself a little extra volume on top to combat the flattening effect. If you have long hair, you can tie your hair in a bun with a soft fabric hair tie and put your hat on top of it. If your hair is shorter, try applying Root Volumizing Spray at the roots. Now you can keep warm outside and have great hair inside!

Issue 2: Dry Hair

Dry heat indoors and cold air outdoors can wreak havoc on your hair. To combat the drying effects of the dry air, treat yourself once a week to a deep conditioning treatment. A deep moisturizing mask will replenish lost moisture and shine. Just be careful not to use too often, as too much conditioning will weigh your hair down and cause it to look limp.

Another option for fixing dry hair is to cut down on your shampoo usage. By keeping hair washing to a minimum, you will help retain the natural oils that keep your strands moisturized. If your roots feel TOO oily, try a dry shampoo. Use a boar bristle brush to evenly distribute your natural scalp oils from root to ends, then apply dry shampoo to the areas that still feel oily. If you MUST get your hair wet every day, try skipping shampoo and apply conditioner only to your ends to keep them moisturized. 

If you also suffer from dry skin during the winter, invest in a humidifier. This will help to mitigate the dry heat from your heater, and will help to retain the moisture in both your hair and skin!

Issue 3: Split Ends

Split, frayed ends are THE WORST. Not only do they look bad, but split ends can fracture the entire shaft of hair and cause breakage. This basically spells catastrophe if you’re trying to grow out your hair (or even maintain your current length).

The best way to prevent out-of-control split ends is to get regular trims. Every 6 to 8 weeks, visit your hairdresser for a “micro-trim” to remove even the smallest split ends before they have a chance to spread. Keeping your hair moisturized with deep conditioning treatments and a humidifier will also help to prevent split ends from forming in the first place.

If your hair is extra dry, massage a hair oil into your ends before you sleep to keep the cuticles sealed and the shaft from splitting. Applying oil before bed will give it time to sink in so that your hair doesn’t look greasy during the day.

Issue 4: Flaky Scalp

According to trichologist Lisa Akbari, changes in the weather can cause your scalp to peel and flake. If the peeling is persistent, you’ll want to switch to a dandruff shampoo that removes the buildup from your scalp and clears up flakes. Be careful, however. Many dandruff shampoos can be drying for your hair, so make sure to replenish your hair’s moisture with a weekly conditioning treatment.

Issue 5: Static

Staticky, crackling hair is caused by your hair picking up an electrical charge from the dry air. According to trichologist Philip Kinglsey, you can combat static by switching to a more moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and by using a tourmaline or ionic hair dryer.

If your static is really bad, switch to using a metal comb rather than a plastic comb or hairbrush. Metal conducts electricity, so it will help to conduct that electrical charge away from your hair.

You can also use a dryer sheet to eliminate static cling in your hair. Keep one in your bag and rub it on your hair to get rid of static electricity when you’re out and about, or wipe down your pillow to prevent static build up while you’re sleeping.

Issue 6: Tangles

Anyone who has ever had long hair in winter is familiar with this situation: you come in from the cold, strip off your coat and scarves, and find that the whole underside of your hair has knotted up into one giant rat’s nest. The friction from layers of scarves, coats, and sweaters can cause hair to tangle, particularly on the underside of your hair.

If you have long hair, you can simply wear your hair in a ponytail, braids, or a bun to prevent snarls. Otherwise, flip your hair over and use a detangling spray and a wide-toothed comb to detangle.