HAPPY WINTER HAIR AT HAIRCRAFT
Winter is harsh on your skin and hair – Cold winds, icy temperatures and central heating can really take their toll on your skin and hair, leaving them dry, dull and lifeless. So, we have some tips for you to keep healthy this winter!
Stay hydrated
We know that hydration is essential for our bodies; after all, our bodies are up to 60% water, it not only helps us to digest food and flushes waste product from our bodies, it's also vital to ensure our skin stays soft and plump. Central heating and hot water in the winter months can really dehydrate your skin, and whilst you might find yourself downing glasses of water and fruit smoothies during the summer months, most of us drink a little less than we should when winter comes.
Remember that it doesn't just have to be cold water that you drink to stay hydrated – tea, coffee, fruit juice, smoothies and even a mug of hot water with lemon all count, or why not try some fruit or green tea if you're looking for a caffeine-free beverage. Staying hydrated helps to prevent dry, flaky skin and irritation, so your skin will be glowing all winter long.
Scrub up
Facial and body scrubs are ideal to use all year round to exfoliate, removing dead skin cells and leaving your complexion looking brighter. During the winter months, when your skin may be drier and flakier than usual, using a gentle scrub once or twice a week will help keep skin healthy. You can even experiment and make your own at home using olive oil, brown sugar and some honey for a gentle yet effective face and body scrub.
Don't forget SPF
When it's 25 degrees outside, most of us wear a facial moisturiser that contains SPF, or put on sunscreen before we go out, however its easy to forget that there are still damaging UV rays present, even on wintry, overcast days. On snowy days, you'll find snow reflects the sun's rays, so it is even more important to ensure you're wearing sunscreen on exposed areas – don't forget to wear a lip balm with SPF too if you're going to be outside for extended periods of time.
Enjoy a cool-ish shower!
It can be tempting to crank up the heat when taking a shower on cold winter days, but stick to cool or lukewarm water instead, as this can protect your skin. Taking long, hot showers can strip moisture from your skin and hair and can exacerbate a flaky scalp. So turn the temperature down a notch and stick to a 10-minute shower; you'll still feel refreshed and ready to go!
Tackle a scaly scalp
A dry, itchy, flaky scalp can be irritating and embarrassing too. Try taking cooler showers to prevent stripping moisture from your scalp. A pre-shower scalp massage with vitamin E, coconut or olive oil can work wonders, just make sure you shampoo thoroughly afterwards to avoid greasy strands. Tea tree oil is a natural cure for dandruff, so try adding a few drops to your shampoo rather than buy traditional dandruff shampoos.
Combat Hat Hair!
The only thing worse than winter hat hair is static flyaway hair that won’t stay in a hat to begin with! A dried-out scalp produces fewer oils, which can make hair full of static.
There are several ways to reduce static; Try by using brushes with natural bristles, (which help redistribute oils from the scalp to the rest of the hair and also conduct less static than plastic brushes and combs).
Another great way to combat static is to use a good heat styling product before blow-drying (or on dry hair before using heated styling products such as straightening irons or curlers). We recommend Moroccanoil Heat Styling Protection Spray.
Cotton hats conduct much less static than acrylic or wool, but if your favourite hat happens to be a woollen beanie, try wrapping your hair in a silk scarf before you put it on!
And if you need a quick fix… Run a little Moroccanoil Treatment through strands or run a tumble dry sheet over hair before heading out the door!
Use a humidifier in your house!
Indoor heating can dry out your hair. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, helping both your skin and your hair.
Keep up the trimming
On average, your hair grows ½ inch every 4 weeks. For long hair, it is usually recommended you get your hair cut every 2 to 3 months to trim off the ends and keep it looking healthy. For short or medium length hair, trims should be every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how quickly your hair grows. Regular trims will help your hair stay and look healthy year round.
Get your vitamins
You know the importance of a varied diet with plenty fruit and vegetables, however during the winter months it's even more important than ever to ensure you're getting enough Vitamin C. Not only does this support your immune system but it also helps boost collagen production, helping your skin stay plump and healthy. Ensure you're eating plenty of dark, leafy greens and citrus fruits, which are a great source of Vitamin C, Omega 3 fatty acides and monounsaturated fats have their part to play in maintaining healthy skin and hair too. Get your daily dose by adding salmon, oily fish, avocado, olive oil and nuts to your diet to ensure skin stays moisturised from within.
Central heating and cold wind can lead to dry, red, irritated eyes. Vitamins A, C & E will help keep your eyes healthy too.
Treat your hair
Hair needs a little extra TLC during wintertime. Shampooing strips moisture from the scalp and hair and most of us could benefit from shampooing our hair less. Everyone's hair is different, if washing once or twice a week is normal for you, consider adding some more time between shampoos if you can. Definitely don’t skip the conditioner – if anything, skip the shampoo and opt for a quick rinse and condition – this works just fine to keep hair clean and moisturized. Conditioner not only detangles but helps protect from the elements too.
Consider a masque or deep conditioning treatment once a week during winter for soft, shiny hair and a moisturised, flake-free scalp. Ensure your hair is 50-60% dry before blow-drying, as blow-drying wet hair can cause breakage and exacerbate dandruff. We recommend Moroccanoil Restorative or Hydrating Masque which we have available for sale in full and travel sizes. We also offer Moroccanoil Hydrating Mask or Moroccanoil oil treatment for dry scalp in-salon during your appointment.
Invest in a Smoothing System Treatment
Winter-proof your hair with KEBELO SMOOTHING SYSTEM.
You will have around 100 days of frizz-free, manageable, glossy, smooth hair - so if you are one of the 86% that suffers from either dry, frizzy, unruly hair or fine hair that crinkles easily, then Kebelo is for you!
See our Kebelo Smoothing System page at www.haircrafthelensburgh.com for further information on this treatment.
Try natural skin care
Avoid using facial skincare products containing alcohol, which can dry out your skin. You may find you need to use a richer moisturiser to keep dry skin at bay. Greek yoghurt makes a great once-a-week facial wash; it contains lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate skin.
Try to include brown rice, quinoa, garlic and onions whenever skin feels dry as these are excellent sources of selenium, which boosts skin's elasticity. Or you could relax with a moisturising face mask made from bananas, avocados or egg yolk.
Dress for the weather
A woolly hat, gloves and scarf can not only keep you cosy but help to protect your skin and hair from the harsh elements.
Woolly socks and gloves are super-snuggly and can help to keep your toes and fingers warm which will prevent dry skin on your hands and cracked heels. Try adding rosemary to your cooking or taking gingko biloba supplements which can help to improve blood circulation, preventing cold hands and feet. Wearing gloves whenever you're outside (not the fingerless ones!) will help protect skin from chapping.
Keep active
Exercise can help to flush toxins from the body, promoting clearer, healthier skin and getting endorphins pumping, which can give your mood a boost and help prevent SAD.
Stay hydrated
We know that hydration is essential for our bodies; after all, our bodies are up to 60% water, it not only helps us to digest food and flushes waste product from our bodies, it's also vital to ensure our skin stays soft and plump. Central heating and hot water in the winter months can really dehydrate your skin, and whilst you might find yourself downing glasses of water and fruit smoothies during the summer months, most of us drink a little less than we should when winter comes.
Remember that it doesn't just have to be cold water that you drink to stay hydrated – tea, coffee, fruit juice, smoothies and even a mug of hot water with lemon all count, or why not try some fruit or green tea if you're looking for a caffeine-free beverage. Staying hydrated helps to prevent dry, flaky skin and irritation, so your skin will be glowing all winter long.
Scrub up
Facial and body scrubs are ideal to use all year round to exfoliate, removing dead skin cells and leaving your complexion looking brighter. During the winter months, when your skin may be drier and flakier than usual, using a gentle scrub once or twice a week will help keep skin healthy. You can even experiment and make your own at home using olive oil, brown sugar and some honey for a gentle yet effective face and body scrub.
Don't forget SPF
When it's 25 degrees outside, most of us wear a facial moisturiser that contains SPF, or put on sunscreen before we go out, however its easy to forget that there are still damaging UV rays present, even on wintry, overcast days. On snowy days, you'll find snow reflects the sun's rays, so it is even more important to ensure you're wearing sunscreen on exposed areas – don't forget to wear a lip balm with SPF too if you're going to be outside for extended periods of time.
Enjoy a cool-ish shower!
It can be tempting to crank up the heat when taking a shower on cold winter days, but stick to cool or lukewarm water instead, as this can protect your skin. Taking long, hot showers can strip moisture from your skin and hair and can exacerbate a flaky scalp. So turn the temperature down a notch and stick to a 10-minute shower; you'll still feel refreshed and ready to go!
Tackle a scaly scalp
A dry, itchy, flaky scalp can be irritating and embarrassing too. Try taking cooler showers to prevent stripping moisture from your scalp. A pre-shower scalp massage with vitamin E, coconut or olive oil can work wonders, just make sure you shampoo thoroughly afterwards to avoid greasy strands. Tea tree oil is a natural cure for dandruff, so try adding a few drops to your shampoo rather than buy traditional dandruff shampoos.
Combat Hat Hair!
The only thing worse than winter hat hair is static flyaway hair that won’t stay in a hat to begin with! A dried-out scalp produces fewer oils, which can make hair full of static.
There are several ways to reduce static; Try by using brushes with natural bristles, (which help redistribute oils from the scalp to the rest of the hair and also conduct less static than plastic brushes and combs).
Another great way to combat static is to use a good heat styling product before blow-drying (or on dry hair before using heated styling products such as straightening irons or curlers). We recommend Moroccanoil Heat Styling Protection Spray.
Cotton hats conduct much less static than acrylic or wool, but if your favourite hat happens to be a woollen beanie, try wrapping your hair in a silk scarf before you put it on!
And if you need a quick fix… Run a little Moroccanoil Treatment through strands or run a tumble dry sheet over hair before heading out the door!
Use a humidifier in your house!
Indoor heating can dry out your hair. Humidifiers add moisture to the air, helping both your skin and your hair.
Keep up the trimming
On average, your hair grows ½ inch every 4 weeks. For long hair, it is usually recommended you get your hair cut every 2 to 3 months to trim off the ends and keep it looking healthy. For short or medium length hair, trims should be every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how quickly your hair grows. Regular trims will help your hair stay and look healthy year round.
Get your vitamins
You know the importance of a varied diet with plenty fruit and vegetables, however during the winter months it's even more important than ever to ensure you're getting enough Vitamin C. Not only does this support your immune system but it also helps boost collagen production, helping your skin stay plump and healthy. Ensure you're eating plenty of dark, leafy greens and citrus fruits, which are a great source of Vitamin C, Omega 3 fatty acides and monounsaturated fats have their part to play in maintaining healthy skin and hair too. Get your daily dose by adding salmon, oily fish, avocado, olive oil and nuts to your diet to ensure skin stays moisturised from within.
Central heating and cold wind can lead to dry, red, irritated eyes. Vitamins A, C & E will help keep your eyes healthy too.
Treat your hair
Hair needs a little extra TLC during wintertime. Shampooing strips moisture from the scalp and hair and most of us could benefit from shampooing our hair less. Everyone's hair is different, if washing once or twice a week is normal for you, consider adding some more time between shampoos if you can. Definitely don’t skip the conditioner – if anything, skip the shampoo and opt for a quick rinse and condition – this works just fine to keep hair clean and moisturized. Conditioner not only detangles but helps protect from the elements too.
Consider a masque or deep conditioning treatment once a week during winter for soft, shiny hair and a moisturised, flake-free scalp. Ensure your hair is 50-60% dry before blow-drying, as blow-drying wet hair can cause breakage and exacerbate dandruff. We recommend Moroccanoil Restorative or Hydrating Masque which we have available for sale in full and travel sizes. We also offer Moroccanoil Hydrating Mask or Moroccanoil oil treatment for dry scalp in-salon during your appointment.
Invest in a Smoothing System Treatment
Winter-proof your hair with KEBELO SMOOTHING SYSTEM.
You will have around 100 days of frizz-free, manageable, glossy, smooth hair - so if you are one of the 86% that suffers from either dry, frizzy, unruly hair or fine hair that crinkles easily, then Kebelo is for you!
See our Kebelo Smoothing System page at www.haircrafthelensburgh.com for further information on this treatment.
Try natural skin care
Avoid using facial skincare products containing alcohol, which can dry out your skin. You may find you need to use a richer moisturiser to keep dry skin at bay. Greek yoghurt makes a great once-a-week facial wash; it contains lactic acid, which helps to exfoliate skin.
Try to include brown rice, quinoa, garlic and onions whenever skin feels dry as these are excellent sources of selenium, which boosts skin's elasticity. Or you could relax with a moisturising face mask made from bananas, avocados or egg yolk.
Dress for the weather
A woolly hat, gloves and scarf can not only keep you cosy but help to protect your skin and hair from the harsh elements.
Woolly socks and gloves are super-snuggly and can help to keep your toes and fingers warm which will prevent dry skin on your hands and cracked heels. Try adding rosemary to your cooking or taking gingko biloba supplements which can help to improve blood circulation, preventing cold hands and feet. Wearing gloves whenever you're outside (not the fingerless ones!) will help protect skin from chapping.
Keep active
Exercise can help to flush toxins from the body, promoting clearer, healthier skin and getting endorphins pumping, which can give your mood a boost and help prevent SAD.