Winter time is the perfect time for you to take care of your hair and skin. The reason for this is because staying indoors may sap the moisture from your skin, while your hair forms split ends. Fortunately, there are many ways to prevent this from happening. So, read on and, following these tips, you’ll be able to look good when summertime hits.
For Hair
1. Pre-Shampoo Your Hair
While some people would argue and say that this is a complete waste of their time, pre-shampooing, or pre-pooing for short, your hair will definitely save you plenty of trouble and even help rinse off any dirt or dead skin cells you might have in there. Adding extra moisture to your hair and preventing it from matting into itself should be especially beneficial to you during the winter and help you to avoid dry hair. Here is how to pre-poo your hair:
- Pick your oil of choice. A few examples include coconut oil, Argan oil, shea butter, and olive oil. Any of these would work, but each has its own special properties. Coconut oil, for example, is a prime selection for the winter as it’s known to reduce cuticle damage.
- After selecting one of these oils, divide your hair into even sections, depending on your hair length.
- Then, massage your hair all the way from the tips to the roots and make sure that none of them get tangled.
- Let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Longer pre-poos can yield better results. The best would be an overnight pre-poo where you wrap your head in a shower cap or scarf while you sleep.
- Rinse it well right after.
As you rinse your hair, you may apply your shampoo as desired. This will give you the feeling of having newer, thicker hair and help you to avoid dry hair. If you want to achieve a maximum effect, try applying a natural moisturizing shampoo.
2. Deep Conditioning
This tip should be done every time you take a bath as it’s a temporary repair if you’ve spent a fair amount of time out in the cold. Not doing so may damage your hair. Here is how to begin deep conditioning your hair:
- Pick out a deep conditioner based on your hair type.
- Wash your hair. You may deep condition after doing a pre-poo.
- Squeeze the deep conditioner into your hand, about the size of a quarter, and then evenly massage it into your hair. Pay particular attention to the tips as these usually dry up faster than the rest of your hair.
- Put on a shower cap and let the deep conditioner sit for 10 minutes.
- Use a blow dryer with a low speed to apply a small amount of heat onto your hair. This will stimulate your hair to absorb the conditioner better.
- Rinse it well.
3. Give Yourself a Scalp Massage
Take your favorite essential oil and rub it all the way into your scalp. This action will promote hair growth and root strength, so the next time you comb and/or shampoo, you’ll have fewer hair strands falling off.
In addition to root strength, you may improve the blood circulation that goes on through the skin of your scalp so it may be less prickly and it may also help reduce dandruff.
4. Don’t Leave the House with Damp Hair
A wash n’ go is what most of us do on a busy day. If you aren’t familiar with what that is, it’s when you bathe and then step out of the house with your hair still damp. Don’t do it during the winter. The bitter cold will damage your hair and even make it brittle enough to break off.
5. Don’t Use Heat to Style Your Hair
As much as possible, avoid using the hair curler/straightener at this time especially after you’ve been using the above methods to care for your hair. The heat, much like the cold, will damage the strands and might even reduce your progress leaving you with dry hair after everything you’ve done for your hair so far.
For Skin
1. Drink a Lot of Water
Of course, you can’t do moisture for your skin without drinking a lot of water. Because the air can get pretty dry during the winter, there’s nothing that a couple of gulps of water can’t help.
Related: How Drinking Water Makes You Healthier
2. Change Your Soap
During this season, you want to replace your scented soaps with non-scented moisturizing ones. Scented soaps tend to remove the oil your skin secretes and may make it very dry. In the winter, you should have all the moisture you can to enable better skin care.
3. Don’t Use Sponges or Loofahs on Your Skin
If you can’t help but use a sponge or a loofah, make sure you’re using something that’s soft to the touch. Scrubbing on your skin with any of these will make it feel raw. Likewise, when drying yourself off with a towel, dab it on your skin instead of wiping it.
4. Try Using Sunscreen
Just because the sun isn’t out, it doesn’t mean that its UV rays aren’t hitting your skin. Put sunscreen on your vulnerable skin as snowflakes could still magnify the effects of the UV rays. So, even in winter you can use sunscreen for better skin care.
Related: The Correct Ways to Apply Sunscreen for Skin Protection
For Both
1. Change Your Diet
Aside from drinking a lot of water, add more proteins to your diet. Eating more proteins means the promotion of healthier-looking skin and hair. Make fish, red meat, chicken, eggs and milk a part of your next winter grocery list. Avoid alcohol and caffeine as they’ll cause dehydration.
2. Don’t Take Long, Steamy Showers
At the very least, take short, lukewarm showers. Lukewarm showers avoid washing away any of the natural oils secreted by your body and, thus, helps you keep the moisture in both your hair and your skin.
3. Consider Getting a Humidifier
Keep a humidifier in the room you’ll spend the most time in. With this, you’ll be able to get around the house nice and moisturized with little hassle.
4. Keep the Temperature Cool inside Your House
It’s the winter and we know it’s freezing out there. Don’t make it too hot in your house, but instead, look for a middle-cool level. This sweet spot on your thermostat can spare you from perspiration and dry skin. The heat trapped in your home is dry, which is why having a humidifier could be the most important appliance you have.
5. Wear Appropriate Clothing
Keep certain fabrics, like wool, from touching your skin and hair. Instead, wear soft, smooth, breathable clothing underneath, and then you can wear your favorite Christmas sweater over the top. That way, your skin won’t get itchy and your hair won’t get snagged.
Keeping yourself nice and moisturized during the winter is no easy feat. So, avoid dry hair and practice greater skin care during the winter months. If there’s a step that this guide might have missed that you know might be essential, go do it. Only you’ll be able to prevent your hair and skin from hurting in the cold.
